The study of more than 300,000 patients was conducted by a University of Michigan School of Medicine research team directed by Joshua Stein, MD. It was published in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
The results of the study revealed the risk for glaucoma was reduced by eight percent in patients who took statins to lower their risk of cardiovascular disease continuously for two years, compared with patients who did not take statins.
“Statins’ apparent ability to reduce glaucoma risk may be due to several factors, including improved blood flow to the optic nerve and retinal nerve cells and enhanced outflow of the aqueous fluid, which may reduce intraocular pressure,” said Dr. Stein, in the release. “While more research is needed, we hope our results may contribute to saving the sight of thousands who are predisposed to glaucoma.”
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