A large observational study has challenged conventional beliefs about the relationship between cholesterol levels and eye health, revealing a paradoxical link between high “good” (HDL) cholesterol and an increased risk of glaucoma in individuals over 55. In contrast, high “bad” (LDL) cholesterol may be associated with a lower risk.
The study, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, analyzed data from 400,229 participants aged 40 to 69 from the UK Biobank Study. Over a period of 14 years, nearly 7% of them developed glaucoma. Compared to those who didn’t develop the condition, those who did were found to have higher levels of HDL cholesterol but lower LDL cholesterol.
Analysis of blood test results showed that high HDL cholesterol was associated with a heightened risk of glaucoma, while high LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were linked to a lower risk. Participants with the highest level of HDL cholesterol in their bloodstream were 10% more likely to develop glaucoma than those with the lowest level.
However, these associations only persisted among those over 55 years old. The findings also highlight the influence of age, sex, and type of glaucoma on the results. The researchers acknowledge that the study is observational and may have limitations, but their findings challenge existing paradigms about cholesterol and eye health. They suggest re-evaluating lipid management strategies in patients at risk for glaucoma.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/good-cholesterol-could-be-bad-for-your-eyes-new-study-raises-concerns