Investigation of the association between glaucoma and Helicobacter pylori infection using the 14C-urea breath test.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between glaucoma and Helicobacter pylori infection by evaluating for the presence of H. pylori infection in patients with glaucoma using the 14C-urea breath test (14C-UBT).

METHODS

Using 14C-UBT, H. pylori infection positivity was compared between a group of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and a control group with normal intraocular pressure and a normal optic disc or normal perimetry.

RESULTS

The 14C-UBT was positive in 18 (51.42%) out of 35 patients in the glaucoma group and in 15 (42.85%) out of 35 patients in the control group. H. pylori infection positivity rates were similar between the glaucoma and control groups (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

According to the 14C-UBT, there is no association between primary open-angle glaucoma and H. pylori infection.