Risk for primary open-angle glaucoma seems to increase as cholesterol levels increase, but long-term statin use may be protective, suggests an observational study in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Nearly 140,000 U.S. health professionals aged 40 or older without glaucoma at baseline were followed for 15 or more years. During that time, 0.6% developed primary open-angle glaucoma.
Overall, higher total serum cholesterol level was associated with increased glaucoma risk. In particular, for each 20-mg/dL increase in total cholesterol, glaucoma risk increased by 7%. Meanwhile, statin use for 5 years or longer was associated with a 21% reduction in risk, even after adjustment for total cholesterol level.
The authors note that statins may lower intraocular pressure and have neuroprotective effects on retinal ganglion cells.
Commentators say that while the study adds “valuable evidence” to the relationship among cholesterol, statins, and glaucoma, “it is somewhat premature to advise patients at risk for development of glaucoma to initiate statins solely for the primary prevention of [glaucoma].”
Read the article here.
Source: NEJM Journal Watch
