To investigate the relationships between myopia and the three parameters of intraocular pressure (IOP), estimated cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP), and the trans-lamina cribrosa pressure difference (TLCPD).

A total of 6,933 adults (≥19 years of age) who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008–2012). These subjects were divided into two groups: young age group (19–49 years of age) and old age group (≥50 years of age). The estimated CSFP was calculated as CSFP (mmHg) = 0.44 body mass index (kg/m²) + 0.16 diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) − 0.18 age (years) − 1.91. The TLCPD was calculated by subtracting the CSFP from the IOP.

The mean estimated CSFP in the total population was 13.7 ± 0.1 mmHg (young, 14.2 ± 0.1 mmHg; old, 11.5 ± 0.1; p < 0.01), the mean IOP in the total population was 14.0 ± 0.1 mmHg (young, 14.0 ± 0.1 mmHg; old, 14.1 ± 0.1; p = 0.724), and the mean TLCPD in the total population was 0.7 ± 0.1 mmHg (young, 0.3 ± 0.1 mmHg; old, 3.0 ± 0.2; p < 0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, multivariate linear regression analyses revealed significant positive associations between the degree of myopia and the estimated CSFP ( p < 0.001; β, 0.12; spherical equivalent [SE], 0.03), as well as IOP ( p < 0.001; β, 0.29; SE, 0.05). As a result, a higher TLCPD also showed a significant association with more myopic refractive error ( p =0.002; β, 0.18; SE, 0.06). In subgroup analyses, a similar association was shown only in the young age group (estimated CSFP, p < 0.001; β, 0.12; SE, 0.03; IOP, p < 0.001; β, 0.28; SE, 0.05; TLCPD, p = 0.005; β, 0.17; SE: 0.06), while the old age group did not show a significant association between TLCPD and the degree of myopia ( p = 0.274; β, 0.18; SE, 0.16).

The calculated TLCPD showed an association with high myopia. It was consistent with the potential role of high myopia in the pathogenesis of open-angle glaucoma.