A large study has found an unexpected link between cholesterol levels and the risk of developing glaucoma, a serious eye disease that can lead to blindness.
Researchers discovered that higher levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL), which is usually considered beneficial for heart health, may actually increase the risk of glaucoma. On the other hand, higher levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL), typically associated with heart disease, may lower the risk of this eye condition.
Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. This damage is often caused by increased pressure in the eye, though other factors can contribute. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss.
Experts estimate that by 2040, around 112 million people worldwide will have glaucoma. Risk factors include older age, family history, high eye pressure, and ethnicity, as non-white individuals are more likely to develop the disease.
Scientists have long studied the relationship between cholesterol and eye health. High cholesterol levels have been linked to other eye diseases, such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
However, previous research on cholesterol and glaucoma has been inconsistent. To better understand this connection, researchers analyzed data from the UK Biobank, a large-scale health study.
The study included 400,229 participants aged 40 to 69. At the start, each person completed a questionnaire about their health and lifestyle, provided a blood sample, and had medical tests done. Researchers followed their health records for an average of 14 years to see who developed glaucoma.
By the end of the study, 6,868 participants (nearly 2%) were diagnosed with glaucoma. When researchers compared them to those who did not develop the disease, they found some key differences. People with glaucoma tended to be older, non-white, and more likely to have diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
They also had higher HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels but lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels. Additionally, they had a higher waist-to-hip ratio, which suggests they carried more weight around their stomach.
The researchers examined blood test results and found that participants with the highest HDL cholesterol levels were 10% more likely to develop glaucoma compared to those with the lowest levels. For each standard increase in HDL cholesterol, the risk of glaucoma rose by 5%.
Meanwhile, those with the highest LDL cholesterol and triglycerides (another type of fat in the blood) had a lower risk of developing glaucoma.
Participants with the highest LDL cholesterol levels were 8% less likely to develop the disease, and those with the highest triglycerides were 14% less likely. Each standard increase in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides further reduced the risk by 4%.
Interestingly, these associations were only observed in people over 55. In younger participants (aged 40–55), there was no clear link between cholesterol levels and glaucoma. The results also varied by sex and the specific type of glaucoma.
To explore the genetic aspect, researchers created a “polygenic risk score,” which estimates a person’s inherited risk of developing glaucoma. They found that for every additional genetic risk factor, the odds of developing glaucoma increased by 5%. However, there was no direct genetic connection between LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, or triglycerides and glaucoma.
Since this was an observational study, it cannot prove that cholesterol levels directly cause glaucoma. Other factors could be involved, and more research is needed to confirm these findings.
The researchers also noted some limitations, such as the fact that blood samples were taken only once and not necessarily after fasting. Additionally, because most participants were of European descent, the findings may not apply to other ethnic groups.
The study challenges traditional beliefs about “good” and “bad” cholesterol in relation to eye health. For decades, HDL has been considered protective, while LDL has been seen as harmful.
However, this research suggests that when it comes to glaucoma, the opposite might be true. This could lead to a re-evaluation of how doctors manage cholesterol in patients who are at risk of the disease.
In conclusion, while high HDL cholesterol is often seen as beneficial, it may not be good for eye health. Conversely, LDL cholesterol, typically viewed as harmful, could have a protective effect against glaucoma. More research is needed to understand the biological reasons behind these associations and how they might influence future treatment strategies.
If you care about heart health, please read studies that vitamin K helps cut heart disease risk by a third, and a year of exercise reversed worrisome heart failure.
For more health information, please see recent studies about supplements that could help prevent heart disease, stroke, and results showing this food ingredient may strongly increase heart disease death risk.
The research findings can be found in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
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