Glaucoma is like a thief. It damages a part of our eye that sends signals to our brain. This part is called the optic nerve.
If glaucoma goes on for a long time, it can take away our sight.
Most times, it happens because of too much pressure in our eyes. But there’s a rare type called normal-tension glaucoma where there isn’t too much pressure, yet the eye still gets damaged.
Now, Alzheimer’s is a disease of the brain. It makes people forget things and changes how they think and behave. Over time, it can take away a person’s ability to do basic tasks.
The Link Between the Two
Researchers from Taiwan studied a lot of people to find out if there was a connection between these two conditions.
They checked the health records of more than 15,000 people with normal-tension glaucoma and 61,000 people without it. They kept track of these people for 12 years!
What they found was surprising. People with this rare type of glaucoma had a 52% higher chance of getting Alzheimer’s.
Especially older women or those who had a stroke before. Even if these people used medicine for their glaucoma, it didn’t change their chances of getting Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Yu-Yen Chen, who led the study, said we should check people with this type of glaucoma for Alzheimer’s too. This way, they can get the care they need faster.
Why Are They Connected?
Both glaucoma and Alzheimer’s happen because of similar problems in our body. In simple terms, the cells that send signals in our eyes and brain get sick and die. In glaucoma, this leads to blindness. In Alzheimer’s, it affects memory and thinking.
Scientists hope that by understanding this connection better, they can find new ways to treat both conditions.
Final Thoughts
Not everyone with glaucoma will get Alzheimer’s. But knowing that there’s a connection can help us take better care of our health.
It reminds us that our eyes and brain are more linked than we might think. It’s always good to get regular check-ups and listen to what our body is telling us. By doing so, we can catch problems early and live healthier, happier lives.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, and higher magnesium intake could help benefit brain health.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce dementia risk, and coconut oil could help improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s.
Follow us on Twitter for more articles about this topic.
Copyright © 2023 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
