Glaucoma is often called a “silent thief” because it slowly damages the eye without any early warning signs.
It harms the optic nerve, which is the part of your eye that sends visual signals to your brain. If left untreated, glaucoma can eventually lead to blindness.
Most of the time, this condition happens because of high pressure inside the eye. But there’s a rare type called normal-tension glaucoma. In this form, damage occurs even when the pressure inside the eye is normal.
Alzheimer’s disease, on the other hand, is a well-known brain disorder. It slowly takes away a person’s memory, ability to think clearly, and even the ability to do simple everyday activities. Both glaucoma and Alzheimer’s are serious diseases—but could they somehow be connected?
A team of researchers in Taiwan wanted to find out. They looked at the health records of over 15,000 people who had normal-tension glaucoma. Then, they compared those records with the records of more than 61,000 people who did not have the condition. The researchers followed these individuals for 12 years to see what happened over time.
What they found was surprising. People with normal-tension glaucoma had a 52% higher chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease than people without glaucoma. The risk was even greater in older women and in people who had suffered a stroke.
Even more surprising, those who were taking medication for their glaucoma still had the same increased risk for Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Yu-Yen Chen, who led the research, suggested that people with normal-tension glaucoma should also be screened for Alzheimer’s. Finding the disease early can help patients get better care and support sooner.
So, why might there be a link between these two diseases? Scientists believe that both glaucoma and Alzheimer’s may come from similar problems in the body.
In both cases, certain cells—called nerve cells—start to die. In glaucoma, these dying cells are in the optic nerve, which leads to vision loss. In Alzheimer’s, they are in the brain, which leads to memory loss and confusion.
Even though these conditions affect different parts of the body, they both involve damage to the nervous system. This connection could help scientists create new treatments that protect both the eyes and the brain at the same time.
Of course, not everyone with normal-tension glaucoma will develop Alzheimer’s. But knowing that there’s a possible link is helpful. It shows us that eye health and brain health may be more closely connected than we thought. It also reminds us how important it is to go for regular check-ups, especially as we get older.
If you notice any changes in your vision or memory, it’s a good idea to speak with a doctor. Catching problems early can make a big difference. As scientists continue to learn more about how these diseases are related, we can take simple steps to protect both our vision and our minds—and enjoy better health for years to come.
If you care about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies about Research shows root cause of Alzheimer’s disease and new treatment and findings of Scientists find the link between eye disease glaucoma and Alzheimer’s disease.
For more about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies about Scientists find a new way to treat Alzheimer’s disease and findings of Fluctuating cholesterol and triglyceride levels are linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
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