Statins May Help Prevent Glaucoma
A large-scale study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology suggests that statin use is associated with a lower risk of developing glaucoma and a reduced need for surgical intervention. The findings indicate that cholesterol-lowering drugs may help protect optic nerve cells.
Why it matters
Repurposing existing, widely used medications like statins could provide a cost-effective way to prevent irreversible blindness in aging populations.
Taking statins is linked to a lower risk of developing glaucoma and a reduced chance of it getting worse, suggest the findings of research published online in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
People who already have glaucoma who are taking statins appear less likely to need stronger treatments like extra eye drops or surgery to keep it under control, the US study finds.
Glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness, is caused by permanent damage to the optic nerve.
Statins are prescribed to lower cholesterol levels but studies have indicated that they may also prevent or slow nerve cell death. Their potential role in preventing or slowing down glaucoma is poorly understood.
To strengthen the evidence base, researchers searched a large global database covering 165 million individuals.
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