Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because it damages the eyes slowly without causing pain or early warning signs.
It harms the optic nerve, which is the part of your eye that sends visual information to the brain. If not treated, glaucoma can slowly lead to blindness.
Most of the time, glaucoma is caused by high pressure inside the eye. But there is a rare kind called normal-tension glaucoma. In this type, the pressure in the eye is normal, but the optic nerve still becomes damaged.
Now, let’s look at another serious health problem—Alzheimer’s disease. This condition affects the brain and causes memory loss, confusion, and changes in behavior. As it gets worse, people with Alzheimer’s may forget how to do everyday tasks.
These two diseases—glaucoma and Alzheimer’s—seem very different. One affects the eyes, and the other affects the brain. But a group of scientists in Taiwan wanted to know if they might be connected.
In a large study, the researchers looked at the health records of more than 15,000 people who had normal-tension glaucoma. They compared these people to over 61,000 people who didn’t have glaucoma. They followed their health for 12 years.
The results were surprising. People with normal-tension glaucoma had a 52% higher chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease than people without glaucoma. The risk was especially high in older women and in people who had previously had a stroke. Even people who took medicine for their glaucoma still had a higher chance of getting Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Yu-Yen Chen, who led the study, said that people with normal-tension glaucoma should also be checked for signs of Alzheimer’s. Finding the disease early could help them get the care and support they need sooner.
But why are these two diseases connected? Scientists are still trying to understand this. One possible reason is that both glaucoma and Alzheimer’s involve nerve cells that are dying. In glaucoma, the optic nerve cells stop working and cause vision problems. In Alzheimer’s, brain cells die, leading to memory and thinking problems.
Even though the eye and brain are different parts of the body, both rely on healthy nerve cells. If those cells are damaged, serious problems can occur.
This discovery is important because it shows that our eyes might be able to tell us something about our brain health. It reminds us that eye check-ups and memory tests are both important, especially as we get older.
Not everyone with glaucoma will get Alzheimer’s, but knowing that there may be a link helps doctors and patients stay alert. Watching for signs of vision loss or memory issues can lead to faster treatment and better health.
As scientists learn more, they hope to find treatments that might help both the eyes and the brain. For now, taking care of your whole body—including your eyes and your brain—is a smart step toward a healthier life.
If you care about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies about vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s and dementia, and strawberries can be good defence against Alzheimer’s.
For more health information, please see recent studies about foods that reduce Alzheimer’s risk, and oral cannabis extract may help reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms.
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