Glaucoma and Helicobacter pylori: Eyes wide shut?

Helicobacter pylori infection is worldwide spread disease with a definite morbidity and mortality [1]. Besides different gastroduodenal diseases, this infection has been significantly associated with both idiopathic thrombocypenic purpora and idiopathic iron deficiency anaemia [1]. Moreover, a possible pathogenetic role of H. pylori has been hypothesised also in different extra-digestive disorders, including glaucoma. This is a serious ocular disease characterised by a progressive optic neuropathy mainly due to a raised intraocular pressure (IOP) [2]. Unfortunately, the causes of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) – the most common form of glaucoma – are still unclear. There are millions of people with glaucoma worldwide, and such a disease is the second most common cause of blindness [2]. Therefore, anynewfinding which potentially unravels its aetiology is welcoming. In the last decade, H. pylori infection has been claimed as a factor causing POAG, and an interesting review focused on such a field has been recently published [3]. Basically, the main conclusion was that, because of the coexistence of both positive and negative data on the correlation between the two diseases, further studies are needed [3].We agree that further investigations are needed, especially when considering that the available data come from studies with potential drawbacks. In detail, here we discuss data on: (1) infection prevalence; (2) pathogenetic mechanisms; and (3) clinical relevance.