Glaucoma is often described as the “silent thief of sight” because it can slowly damage vision without causing pain or obvious warning signs.
Many people do not realize they have the disease until their eyesight has already been permanently affected.
Glaucoma harms the optic nerve, which is the cable-like structure that sends visual signals from the eye to the brain. When this nerve is damaged, vision gradually fades, and if the condition is not treated, it can eventually lead to blindness.
In most people with glaucoma, the damage is linked to high pressure inside the eye. This pressure slowly injures the optic nerve over time. However, there is a less common form of the disease called normal-tension glaucoma.
In this type, eye pressure stays within the normal range, yet the optic nerve is still damaged. Because eye pressure appears normal, this form of glaucoma can be especially difficult to detect and understand.
Alzheimer’s disease is a very different condition, but it is just as serious. It is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory, thinking skills, and the ability to carry out daily activities. In the early stages, people may forget recent events or struggle to find words.
As the disease progresses, even simple tasks such as dressing, eating, or recognizing loved ones can become difficult. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia and affects millions of people worldwide.
At first glance, glaucoma and Alzheimer’s may seem unrelated, since one affects the eyes and the other affects the brain. However, new research suggests there may be a hidden connection between the two, especially when it comes to normal-tension glaucoma.
Researchers in Taiwan set out to explore this possible link by studying a large group of people over a long period of time.
They analyzed medical records from more than 15,000 people diagnosed with normal-tension glaucoma and compared them with records from over 61,000 people who did not have glaucoma. By following these individuals for up to 12 years, the researchers were able to see how their health changed over time.
The findings were striking. People with normal-tension glaucoma were found to have a 52 percent higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to those without glaucoma. This increased risk was not evenly spread across all groups. It was especially high in older adults, particularly women, and in people who had previously experienced a stroke.
Even more surprising was the fact that treating glaucoma with medication did not reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. This suggests that the connection between the two diseases is not simply related to eye pressure or standard glaucoma treatment. Instead, it points to deeper biological processes that may affect both the eye and the brain.
The study was led by Dr. Yu-Yen Chen, who suggested that people diagnosed with normal-tension glaucoma might benefit from closer monitoring of their brain health. Screening for early signs of Alzheimer’s could allow patients to receive support, care, and planning much earlier, which can make a meaningful difference in quality of life.
Scientists believe the link between these two conditions may lie in the way nerve cells are damaged. In glaucoma, nerve cells in the optic nerve slowly stop working and die, leading to vision loss. In Alzheimer’s disease, nerve cells in the brain are damaged, causing problems with memory and thinking. In both cases, the cells that carry information break down over time.
Because of these similarities, researchers think glaucoma and Alzheimer’s may share common pathways of nerve damage. Studying this connection could open the door to new treatments that protect nerve cells in both the eye and the brain. One day, therapies designed to slow nerve damage might help preserve both vision and cognitive function.
Not everyone with normal-tension glaucoma will go on to develop Alzheimer’s disease. However, this research highlights how closely eye health and brain health may be connected. It also shows the importance of regular health check-ups, especially as people get older.
Paying attention to changes in vision, memory, or thinking ability can help doctors identify problems earlier. Early diagnosis often leads to better management and improved outcomes. This study reminds us that the eyes are not separate from the rest of the body, but are closely linked to overall brain health.
As researchers continue to investigate this connection, their work may lead to better ways to prevent, detect, and treat both glaucoma and Alzheimer’s. For now, staying informed and proactive about health remains one of the best ways to protect both sight and mind.
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.
Copyright © 2026 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
