Genetic, Metabolic and Environmental Contributions to Intraocular Pressure in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

Abstract

Several genetic factors have been associated with glaucoma, and its endophenotype intraocular pressure (IOP), but do not explain all the variance. Metabolites are intermediates in metabolic pathways as substrates or products which can offer a bridge between the internal and the external environment. By investigating gene-environment interactions and metabolite measurements, we can better understand factors that contribute to IOP and glaucoma variation. We used data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging to investigate: 1) how sex modifies the association of genetic factors with metabolite measurements of two vitamin C related metabolites, and 2) interactions between metabolites, genetic factors and dietary environmental variables. We found some evidence of biological sex influencing genetic associations with vitamin C related metabolites and of an interaction between genetic variants and alcohol consumption influencing IOP levels. Our findings support the use of metabolites to better understand glaucoma risk factors to improve treatment and prevention.