Statins May Help Prevent Glaucoma

Many patients who are prescribed statins to lower their cholesterol don’t continue with them because of misconceptions about their risks and a failure to appreciate the potential benefits—even those beyond cardiovascular care. For instance, a study with more than 130,000 participants showed that for each 20 mg/dl increase in total cholesterol, glaucoma risk increased by 7 percent, possibly due to impaired blood flow to the optic nerve. But people who lowered their cholesterol levels by using statins for five years or longer had a 21 percent lower risk of developing glaucoma. By itself, glaucoma protection isn’t sufficient reason to take statins, but knowing they might spare you from eye problems could help motivate you to stay the course.