Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Apr 15, 2025
Date Accepted: Oct 15, 2025
Examining the Relationship between Alcohol Use Disorder and Glaucoma: Protocol for a Scoping Review
ABSTRACT
Background:
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a condition characterized by uncontrollable alcohol use despite negative social, occupational, or health consequences. AUD affects major organ systems in the body including the eyes in different ways. Current research displays mixed findings on the correlation between alcohol consumption and glaucoma, and little has been investigated in the AUD population. This paper outlines a protocol for a scoping review that aims to explore research on the connection between alcohol use disorder, and its related conditions such as alcohol dependence and alcohol misuse, with glaucoma and its associated symptoms, including increased intraocular pressure, optic nerve damage, and vision loss.
Objective:
The overarching goal of this scoping review is to synthesize an extensive overview of the current literature surrounding alcohol use disorder or alcohol consumption and glaucoma. We aim to (1) map the existing literature on alcohol and glaucoma, (2) identify how alcohol consumption is associated with glaucoma, and (3) synthesize evidence concerning the association between alcohol use disorder or alcohol consumption (including drinking frequency, quantity, and type) with glaucoma.
Methods:
A biomedical librarian will do a systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science. A two-step process will be used to screen the results, using Covidence as the screening software. All unique records retrieved from the database and supplemental searches will be screened by two reviewers independently using the eligibility criteria. This will be followed by data charting. This evidence synthesis will summarize findings in narrative and table formats.
Results:
This scoping review was started in Covidence in Nov 2024 and is currently funded by NIH’s Intramural Research Program. The projected end date for data collection and submission is August 2025.
Conclusions:
By performing this scoping review, our team aims to address the mixed findings on the association between alcohol use disorder and or alcohol consumption and glaucoma. Our review will lay a foundation for future investigation on the topic.
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Copyright
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