Researchers have found a surprising link between “good” cholesterol and an increased risk of glaucoma among people over 55. The study, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, analyzed data from over 400,000 participants aged 40-69 in the UK Biobank Study.
Contrary to long-held assumptions, high levels of “good” (HDL) cholesterol were associated with a heightened risk of glaucoma, while high levels of “bad” (LDL) cholesterol were linked to a lower risk. The study also found that participants with high HDL cholesterol were 10% more likely to develop glaucoma than those with low levels.
The researchers suggest that these findings challenge existing paradigms about the role of cholesterol in eye health and may prompt a re-evaluation of lipid management strategies for patients at risk for glaucoma. However, it’s essential to note that this is an observational study, and no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect due to its limitations.
The study also found associations between other serum lipids, such as LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and glaucoma risk. Participants with high levels of these lipids were less likely to develop glaucoma, but the associations were not significant in all cases.
The researchers acknowledge that blood samples were only taken at a single time point and may not accurately reflect an individual’s lipid profile over time. Additionally, the study’s findings may not be applicable to other ethnic groups due to the predominantly European ancestry of the UK Biobank participants.
Overall, this study highlights the complexities of cholesterol and eye health, emphasizing the need for further research into the mechanisms behind these associations.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-02-good-cholesterol-linked-heightened-glaucoma.html