Using the statin class of cholesterol medications was associated with a 21% lower risk of primary-open angle glaucoma (POAG) in adults 40 years of age and older, a recent study found. The study also associated every 20mg/dL increase in total serum cholesterol with a 7% increase in POAG risk.¹

Researchers collected data biennially from 136,782 participants who self-reported information on elevated cholesterol level status, serum cholesterol levels and duration of statin use. The study identified 886 POAG incident cases. Any self-reported history of elevated cholesterol was associated with a higher risk of POAG, and any history of any statin use was associated with a 15% lower risk, compared with those who had no history of statin use. Use for five or more years was associated with a 21% lower risk, and use for 10 years or more had a 40% lower risk.¹

The study proposes that intraocular pressure-lowering and neuroprotective mechanisms might potentially be the reason for lowering POAG risk. Researchers believed imprecise exposures based on the patients’ self-recall and possible chance findings were possible limitations for the study.¹

The findings add to a growing body of literature supporting the positive effects of statin use on ocular health. Another report, published online in JAMA Ophthalmology in January, found statin therapy was associated with a decreased risk of diabetic retinopathy and the need for treatment in a Taiwanese population.² A third study presented at this year’s ARVO conference in Vancouver found statin users had higher corneal clarity levels than non-users in a UK population.³