Key takeaways:

• Polygenic risk scores and lifestyle factors both play a part in glaucoma risk.
• Cardiovascular health, diet, behavior and social determinants should all be considered.

NEW ORLEANS — Although polygenic risk scores can be a useful tool in glaucoma, ophthalmologists should also be aware of patient lifestyle and environmental factors, according to a presenter.

“We all routinely encounter patients in our clinics who have a relative who has lost their vision from glaucoma. They always ask us, ‘Is there anything I can do to lower my risk?’” Inas F. Aboobakar, MD, said during a presentation at Glaucoma Subspecialty Day at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting. “We know in recent years from many studies that glaucoma is a highly heritable polygenic disease. ... But genetic susceptibility is not destiny. There are other factors that play a role.”

Data were derived from Aboobakar IF. From DNA to dinner plate: Integrating genetics and lifestyle in glaucoma risk. Presented at: American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting; Oct. 9-12, 2026; New Orleans.

Diet and nutrition can be factors. A 2016 study by Khang and colleagues found that dietary nitrates, including green leafy vegetables and beets, were linked to a reduction in glaucoma prevalence and a twofold reduction in paracentral scotomas.

Cardiovascular health, including high or low blood pressure and vascular and metabolic abnormalities, influence a patient’s susceptibility to the disease, Aboobakar said. In addition, lifestyle factors such as smoking and caffeine and alcohol consumption play a role and show “strong gene-environment interactions.”

“Another important contributor in lifestyle and environment is an individual’s life circumstances or social determinants of health — their access to healthcare, transportation and housing type,” Aboobakar said. “Hopefully in the near future when we have patients who ask us what they can do to lower their risk, we can take this integrated plate of genetic susceptibility as well as all these other factors and provide them with more precise glaucoma care.”