Hypermetropia, Axial Length, and Hypertension: The Tanjong Pagar Survey

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the relationship among hypermetropia, axial length, and hypertension in a Chinese population. Design: Population-based cross-sectional study. Methods: This study included 1213 Chinese individuals aged 40 to 81 years. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg, or self-report history of antihypertension treatment. Refraction was determined with an autorefractor and refined subjectively. A-mode ultrasound scanning was used to measure axial length. Results: The crude odds ratio of hypertension was 2.5 (95% CI, 1.4-4.6) for moderate hypermetropia (≥+2.00 spheric equivalent diopters) vs high myopia (≤-6.00 diopters), and 1.4 (95% CI, 0.9-2.1) for highest vs lowest axial length quintile. These associations were no longer significant after adjustment for age, gender, education, housing type, and income. Conclusions: These data provide no evidence that hypermetropia or shorter axial length is associated independently with hypertension in Chinese individuals. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.