Drugs That Lower Cholesterol Also Beneficial For Eye Disease

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Also Included In: Statins;  Cholesterol
Article Date: 20 Sep 2007 - 14:00 PST

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Statin drugs that help lower cholesterol may also be beneficial in preventing glaucoma progression according to the Wiley-Blackwell journal - Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology.

However, there was no significant effect on the eye disease if the subject had taken statin drugs together with aspirin or just aspirin alone.

According to Dr. Shan Lin - author of "Effect of statin drugs and aspirin on progression in open-angle glaucoma suspects using confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy"- aspirin, like statins, possess anti-inflammatory properties and produces beneficial cardiovascular effects. It is therefore reasonable to consider its possible association with glaucoma - a disease related to the flow of blood to the optic nerve.

Results show that the patients using only statins experienced a notable protective effect against glaucoma progression.

"Possible explanations for this finding include the fact that subjects who take the combination of drugs were more likely to suffer from more severe systemic problems which may predispose them to glaucoma progression," says Dr. Lin.

He added, "Due to the limitations of the study, further research should be done to generate a more powerful evaluation of statin as a possible adjunctive therapy for the treatment and prevention of glaucoma".

About Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology

The research achievements and high standards of clinical practice in ophthalmology in Australia and New Zealand are recognized worldwide. Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology is the official Journal of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists. The Journal draws from a solid base of pro-active, innovative and respected researchers and clinicians to publish peer-reviewed original research articles and case reports that are international in scope and application. Short articles are published under the headings 'Clinicopathological Report', 'Surgical Technique', 'Photographic Essay' and Letters to the Editor. Manuscripts covering 'Ophthalmic Hypothesis', 'Developing World Ophthalmology' and 'Visual Science' are encouraged.

About Wiley-Blackwell

Wiley-Blackwell was formed in February 2007 as a result of the merger between Blackwell Publishing Ltd. and Wiley's Scientific, Technical, and Medical business. Together, the companies have created a global publishing business with deep strength in every major academic and professional field. Wiley-Blackwell publishes approximately 1,250 scholarly peer-reviewed journals and an extensive collection of books with global appeal. For more information on Wiley-Blackwell, please visit http://www.blackwellpublishing.com or http://interscience.wiley.com.