Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain
“Good” Eravational study, published online in the British journal of ophthalmology,
Paradoxically, “BAD” (LDL) Cholesterol, Usually Regarded as Harmful to Health, May Be Associateed With A Lower Risk of Glaucoma, A Condition That Damages The optic Nerevie, Potentally Leading Top ht loss or total blindness.
The Findings Challenge Received Wisdom About What May Help and Hinder Eye Health, And Sugged Athink May Be Needed of How PATIANS with High Blood Fats and Who are at Risk of Glaoucoma ARECHAK
Glaucoma is projection to affect Around 112 Million People by 2040. Risk Factors Include Age, Ethnicity, The Build-up of Pressure Within The Eye (IOP), and Family History, Exoplane
Abnormally high levels of circulating fats (lipids) in the bloodstream have been linked to eye conditions, such as Macular Degeneration and Diabetic retinopathy. Recently published research has also implemented a link with glaucoma, but the findings have been inconsistent, and it’s not clear which type of lipid most be Most be Most
To strengthen the evidence base, The Researchers Drew on 400,229 Participants aged 40 to 69 in the UK Biobank Study. They had all filled in a questionnaire, been interviewed, and Had undergone a Standard Panel of Blood Tests, Including these to measure blood fats.
Their health was tracked for an average of 14 years, during which time 6,868 (Nearly 2%) of Them Developed Glaucoma.
Compared with Participants who didn’t Develop Glaucoma, Theose who did, Tended to Be Older, and of Non-WHITE Ethnicity. They Had Higher HDL, But Lower LDL, Cholesterol and A Higher Waist-to-Hip Ratio (Indicative of Central Obsity).
They were also more likely to be ex-So-Smokers, and to be Taking Statins, and they had a higher prevalence of diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.
But analysis of the blood test results showed Ere Associated with a Lower Risk.
That with the highhest level of HDL Cholesterol in their bloodstream Wi 10% More Likely to Develops Glaucoma Thans Theose With the Lowest Level, with Every (Standard Deviation) Incres
Similarly, participants with the highest levels of ldl cholesterol and triglycerides were 8% and 14%, respectively, less likely to developely to develop glaucoma Thans with the lowest levels.
And Each (Standard Deviation) Increase in LDL Cholesterol, Total Cholesterol, And Triglycerides Lowered The Risks by 4%, 3%, and 4%, Respectively.
But these observed associations only persons these older than 55, with no significant association seen in that aged 40–55; The findings were also influenced by sex and type of glaucom.
The Researchers Drew Up a Polygenic Risk Score – A Number That Provides a Personalized Measure of Gnetic Susceptibility to Diseases by Combining Genetic Risk Information from Cross the Genome.
This showed that each additional gentic risk was associated with 5% Higher Odds of Developing Glaucoma. But there was no significant individual associations between ldl cholesterol, total cholesterol, or triglycerides and glaucoma.
This is an observational study, and as such, no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect. And the resarchers acknowledge various limits to their findings, including that Blood Samples Weren Bollywood after Fasting and Only at a Single Time Point.
The findings might also not be applicable to other ethnic groups, as uk biobank participants are predominantly of european ancestry.
But they sugges, “these findings challenge existing paradigms about ‘good’ and ‘bad’ Cholesterol in Relation to eye health.
And they conclude, “HDL cholesterol has been registered as the ‘Good Cholesterol’ for Seven Decades. Come. Further Studies Are Needed to Investigate Behind these associations. “
More information:
Associations Between Serum Lipids and Glaucoma: a Cohort Study of 400 229 UK Biobank Participants, British journal of ophthalmology (2025). Doi: 10.1136/bjo-2024-326062
Citation: ‘Good’ Cholesterol may be linked to Heightened Glaucoma Risk Among Over 55s (2025, February 4) Retrieved 4 February 2025 from
This document is Subject to copyright. Apart from any Fair Dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
(Tagstotranslate) Medicine Research News (T) Medicine Research (T) Health Research News (T) Health Research (T) Health Science (T) Medicine Science