They also had higher levels of total blood cholesterol, including both LDL and HDL cholesterol, and were more likely to have diabetes, high blood pressure, and a family history of glaucoma.
After taking account of potentially influential factors, higher levels of HDL cholesterol were associated with a heightened risk of developing glaucoma, while higher levels of LDL cholesterol were associated with a lower risk.
The researchers suggest that while the findings are intriguing, they are purely observational, so no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect. Further research will be needed to understand the mechanisms underlying the associations found, they add.
But the findings indicate that new thinking may be needed on the potential roles of different blood fats in glaucoma, and how patients at risk of the condition might be managed, they conclude.
This study adds to the growing body of evidence linking blood lipids with eye health and highlights the complex relationship between cholesterol and glaucoma. As more research is conducted in this area, healthcare providers may need to consider new approaches to managing patients at risk of developing this serious eye condition.
