A large Chinese-led study found higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), often labelled ‘good’ cholesterol, were associated with a 5% greater risk of developing glaucoma.
Using the data of over 400,000 participants in the UK Biobank, researchers conversely associated higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, ‘bad’ cholesterol), total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides with a decreased risk of the disease. Writing in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, researchers noted the polygenic risk score of LDL-C, TC and triglycerides did not show a significant association with glaucoma.
This study enhances the understanding of the association between lipid profile and glaucoma and warrants further investigation of lipid-focused treatments in glaucoma management, said researchers.