PhD defence J.E. (Joëlle) Vergroesen

Below is a brief summary of the dissertation:

Glaucoma is a severe eye condition responsible for a significant portion of irreversible blindness cases worldwide. Existing treatments primarily aim to reduce the intraocular pressure (the main risk factor), yet many patients do not benefit sufficiently. In this dissertation, I investigated the role of systemic effects in glaucoma development.

Patients with glaucoma often present with comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes. I explored the association between the use of systemic medications (such as antihypertensives and antidiabetics) and glaucoma. The use of calcium channel blockers appears to be associated with a higher glaucoma risk, while metformin seems to significantly reduce glaucoma risk (in people with diabetes).

Diet for a healthy brain, specifically rich in certain nutrients rather than a general healthy diet, appears to lower glaucoma risk. Particularly, green leafy vegetables (nitrate-rich), fish, and berries play a crucial role. Nutritional habits are more important for those with (a high risk of) glaucoma than initially thought.

Considering the connection between diet and glaucoma, as well as diet and gut microbiome, I investigated whether specific gut bacteria were less prevalent in glaucoma patients; indeed, there was a lower presence of butyrate-producing bacteria.