Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential and Risk of Major Age-Related Eye Diseases

ImportanceAge-related eye diseases, such as cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and diabetic retinopathy (DR), are leading causes of irreversible vision loss globally. Chronic inflammation is a shared pathogenic pathway, but the role of systemic inflammatory drivers like clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) is unknown. ObjectiveTo investigate the association of CHIP, including its major genetic subtypes and clone sizes, with the risk of four major age-related eye diseases. Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis was a prospective cohort study conducted using data from the UK Biobank, a large-scale, population-based cohort. A total of 436,469 participants free of the four eye diseases at baseline were included in the analysis. Data were collected from 2006 to 2010, with follow-up extending to March 2022. ExposuresCHIP status was ascertained from whole-exome sequencing data, defined by the presence of a somatic driver mutation with a variant allele fraction of 2% or greater. Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcomes were incident cases of cataract, glaucoma, AMD, and DR, identified through linked electronic health records. Associations were assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models. ResultsOf 436,469 participants (mean [SD] age, 56.4 [8.1] years; 54.5% women), 14,110 (3.2%) had CHIP. Over a median follow-up of 13.1 years, CHIP was significantly associated with an increased risk of incident cataract (Hazard Ratio [HR], 1.08; 95% CI, 1.03-1.14), AMD (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.04-1.21), and DR (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.20-1.64). No significant association was found with glaucoma (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.99-1.17). The risk for AMD was primarily associated with smaller clones (VAF <10%), while the risk for DR was highest with non-DNMT3A mutations. Systemic inflammation, particularly neutrophil count, partially mediated the associations. Conclusions and RelevanceIn this study, CHIP was independently associated with a higher risk of developing cataract, AMD, and DR, but not glaucoma. These findings establish a link between hematopoietic somatic mutations and the pathogenesis of several major age-related eye diseases, suggesting that CHIP-driven inflammation is a potential target for risk stratification and prevention. Key PointsO_ST_ABSQuestionC_ST_ABSIs clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) associated with the risk of major age-related eye diseases? FindingsIn this cohort study of 436,469 participants, CHIP was associated with an increased risk of incident cataract (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.03-1.14), age-related macular degeneration (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.04-1.21), and diabetic retinopathy (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.20-1.64), but not glaucoma. MeaningThese findings identify CHIP as an independent, non-ocular risk factor for cataract, AMD, and diabetic retinopathy, suggesting that systemic inflammation driven by CHIP contributes to the pathogenesis of these conditions and may represent a novel target for preventive strategies.