Helicobacter pylori infection and primary open-angle glaucoma: is there a connection?

Abstract: Glaucoma, the most common form of which is primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), is a neurodegenerative disease which is the second most common cause of blindness worldwide. Among the factors that have been implicated in the pathophysiology of this disease is infection with Helicobacter pylori . This alleged association has caused a great deal of scientific discussion during the past decade, as the establishment of such a correlation might lead to therapeutic applications for all glaucoma patients. In this review, we assess all relevant major studies and trials in an effort to elucidate the issue. Keywords: Helicobacter pylori , primary open-angle glaucoma, apoptosis Introduction Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease which is the second most common cause of blindness worldwide. It is estimated that 60 million people in the world are affected by the disease and 8.4 million are bilaterally blind. 1 Various factors, among them infection with Helicobacter pylori (HP), a Gram-negative bacterium associated with the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease, gastritis, gastric ulcers, and gastric carcinomas,