Study Finds Common Allergens Associated with Risk of Glaucoma

Using blood samples to measure immunoglobulin-E levels, researchers found a potential association between allergen sensitization rates and the risk of developing glaucoma. Photo:  Michael Chaglasian, OD. Click image to enlarge. Many ocular complications are affected by environmental factors such as sensitivities to pollen, pet hair and dust, susceptibilities frequently found in a substantial portion of the global population. However, such exposure is most commonly associated with ocular surface issues like dry eye and allergic conjunctivitis. But research that measures immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels from blood samples allows for a more objective and reliable assessment of relationships between sensitivity rates and diseases, potentially yielding new associations. Through such research, allergic conditions are emerging as a possible disease influence in recent investigations.1,2Published in the Journal of Glaucoma, the latest study on the relationship between common allergies and glaucoma risk used the IgE testing method to determine which environmental factors have higher sensitivity rates in patients with and without glaucoma.1 After collecting data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers analyzed comprehensive eye examinations and specific IgE measurements on allergies for house dust mites, dogs, cats, birch pollen, oak pollen, Japanese hop pollen and ragweed pollen. These allergens are frequently found in the Korean population. A blood sample with an IgE level at 3.5 kU/L or greater was defined as a significant allergen sensitization.Among the study’s population of 1,175 subjects, 4.3% were diagnosed with glaucoma. Investigators noted that rates of hypertension and diabetes—both factors associated with glaucoma risk—were significantly higher in the glaucoma group. When asked to report their health status, more than half the subjects in each group answered “fair” on their questionnaires (58% of glaucoma patients and 53.3% of other patients).Pollen allergens and dust mites all presented with a degree of sensitivity, while animal dander did not have any impact on the glaucoma group. Sensitization rates for dust mites were the highest in both groups among all tested allergens (12% for glaucoma patients and 11.7% for others). Birch pollen had the second highest rates for both groups (4% for glaucoma patients and 4.1% for others). Oak pollen sensitization rates showed opposite results, with 2% for glaucoma patients and 4% for others. Both Japanese hop and ragweed had the lowest impacts. Similar results were shown for Japanese hop pollen sensitization rates (2% for glaucoma patients and 2% for others), and comparable results were shown for ragweed pollen sensitization rates (2% for glaucoma patients and 2.4% for others).Regarding the association of the above rates and glaucoma risk, investigators found that dust mites showed a positive association with the development of this disease. “Unlike seasonal allergens, house dust mites can trigger persistent inflammatory responses throughout the year, potentially contributing to a state of chronic low-grade inflammation that may be associated with optic nerve health,” the researchers wrote in their paper. Birch pollen also showed a positive association; however, oak pollen provided a protective association instead of positively impacting the risk.“Our observation of contrasting effects between different pollen allergens provides intriguing insights into the complexity of immune responses in glaucoma,” wrote the authors in their paper. “The positive association with birch pollen sensitization, juxtaposed with the protective effect of oak pollen sensitization, suggests that different allergens may be associated with distinct immunological pathways. These divergent effects might reflect variations in the timing and duration of allergen exposure or differences in the specific immune responses elicited by each allergen.”The authors pointed out in their paper that their “findings complement and contrast with a previous study using the U.S. NHANES database.”2 An association between dust mites and glaucoma risk was determined in both studies, but analyzed allergens varied between each study. For instance, a US investigation assessed rates from cockroach and mouse allergens. Additionally, regional differences from each dataset impacted the observations made in each review. Now, with this recently published report using an Eastern Asian population, researchers believe that allergen sensitization and glaucoma risk may be population-specific.“The contrasting effects of different allergens underscore the complexity of immune responses in glaucoma and highlight the need for continued investigation into these relationships,” conclude the authors. “As our understanding of these mechanisms grows, new opportunities may emerge for improving glaucoma prevention, risk assessment and treatment strategies.” Click here for the journal source. 1. Kwak J, Kim YK. Associations between IgE-allergen sensitization and glaucoma: An analysis of Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Journal of Glaucoma. September 10, 2025. [Epub ahead of print].2. Tseng VL, Lee GY, Shaikh Y, et al. The association between glaucoma and immunoglobulin E antibody response to indoor allergens. Am J Ophthalmol. 2015;159:986-93. This article was developed by the editorial staff in conjunction with experts in the field. In the process, AI may have been among the editorial tools used to meet the goals of human editors, who approved all content.