A UK population-based, prospective, cohort study found loneliness and social isolation are associated with a higher risk of glaucoma.
Using UK Biobank data, researchers found loneliness increased the risk of glaucoma by 16% while isolation increased the risk by 8%. This association was found independent of age, sex, race, socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors and history of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes.
Discussing their findings, authors noted loneliness and social isolation may increase stress levels and therefore impact health through biological changes such as increasing inflammation and cortisol secretion. “These changes may lead to elevated intraocular pressure and accelerated death of retinal ganglion cells, promoting the onset of glaucoma,” they wrote, adding socially isolated individuals may also struggle to access healthcare and thereby experience delayed diagnosis and treatment.
