A new study has raised concerns about the potential link between high levels of “good” HDL cholesterol and an increased risk of glaucoma. Researchers found that older adults with higher levels of HDL cholesterol might be at a higher risk of developing this eye condition, while higher levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol were associated with a lower risk.
Glaucoma, an eye disease that damages the optic nerve and can lead to blindness, currently has no cure. About 80 million people worldwide live with glaucoma, which is often referred to as the “silent thief of sight” due to its lack of symptoms in the early stages.
HDL Cholesterol and Glaucoma Risk
The study, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, analyzed data from over 400,000 participants aged 40 to 69 in the U.K. Biobank Study. The researchers tracked the participants’ cholesterol levels and health over an average of 14 years. They found that those with the highest levels of HDL cholesterol had a 10% greater chance of developing glaucoma compared to those with lower levels.
Interestingly, the study also revealed that higher levels of LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides were linked to a reduced risk of glaucoma. Specifically, participants with the highest levels of LDL cholesterol had an 8% lower risk, while those with the highest triglyceride levels were 14% less likely to develop the condition.
These findings were most noticeable in participants older than 55, while no significant association was found in those aged 40 to 55.
Understanding Glaucoma and Its Risk Factors
Dr. Alexander Solomon, a neuro-ophthalmologist at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute, explained that glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. Unlike cataracts, glaucoma is irreversible, making early detection crucial. He emphasized that understanding the risk factors for glaucoma could help with earlier diagnosis and more frequent screenings.
“Knowing health concerns that could increase someone’s risk may help direct us to screening patients sooner or more frequently to catch them before the disease really affects their vision,” Dr. Solomon said.
Caution About the Findings
Despite these findings, Dr. Solomon cautioned against drawing firm conclusions. He noted that the study’s use of self-reported data and a single non-fasting blood sample might not accurately reflect participants’ true cholesterol levels over time. Moreover, the definition of glaucoma used in the study could be imprecise, as it relied on hospital diagnoses rather than confirmation from ophthalmologists.
“This study poses an interesting possibility but leaves many questions unanswered,” Dr. Solomon said. “A more rigorous study using ophthalmologists to define glaucoma and measuring fasting lipid levels over time would provide stronger evidence.”
Read more:
- Salt Substitutes Could Cut Stroke Risk And Mortality, New Study Finds
- Delayed Dreaming Could Be Linked To Alzheimer’S Disease, Study Reveals
- Over 12 Million People Affected By Diabetes Or Prediabetes In The UK, New Report Reveals
