High cholesterol and glucoma

[GardeningDorset123]

i have mild glucoma.. now been told my cholesterol is high.. I've looked this up and it raises pressure? Any one with same..any advice ?

i think I'm going to try get a Moorfields private appointment..im really worried

[AlfredV]

I have to admit that I am very dubious of observational studies, even moreso when it comes to the latest reason (in a long list) as to why we'd all be better off taking statins.

I note the observational studies do suggest that people who are on statins (which do a very good job of lowering cholesterol) have a lower risk of developing glaucoma. Do note though, that as with all observational studies, it shows correlation rather than causation. It is also known (through clinical studies), that statins significantly increase the risk of developing diabetes, which can then lead to a whole host of other eye issues.

In terms of observing myself, I altered my lifestyle significantly a few years ago, resulting in a ~25% drop in my eye pressures, improvements in many other health markers, but conversely my cholesterol increased by almost 50%. My doctor would tell you this is bad (ignoring all the other improved health markers), I would say that cholestrol numbers in isolation probably aren't all that helpful.

[GardeningDorset123 in reply to AlfredV]

You are so kind thank you..what did you do to reduce eye pressure please..

[AlfredV in reply to GardeningDorset123]

I switched to a clean ketogenic diet (prompted by a heart attack). This caused me to lose weight quite rapidly, approximately 50lbs over 6 months, so it is possible my reduced eye pressure was simply caused by the weightloss. However, I have spoken with other people who have seen similar falls in eye pressure following this diet change, so it may just be that this is a healthier way to live and a better functioning metabolism leads to lower eye pressures. It has also brought my blood pressure down from pre-hypertension levels to around 105/75, so this may also have something to do with it.

[lawn62 in reply to AlfredV]

What lifestyle changes did you make that resulted in your reduced eye pressure?

[AlfredV in reply to lawn62]

See my reply to GardeningDorset123 above your post.

[lawn62 in reply to AlfredV]

Thanks.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

High Cholesterol can change the appearance of the eye. If you are already taking drops, they will be controlling your eye pressure.

Statins tend to reduce blood pressure, rather than the other way round.

It is when someone has high cholesterol and it is not being treated or monitored, problems can arise.

[GardeningDorset123 in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Dr says they won't treat cholesterol as I'm 65 and vegetarian etc I panicked that they should be

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner in reply to GardeningDorset123]

Not wanting to treat it, is a good sign. They obviously do not have any concerns and feel that medication isnt needed.

[GardeningDorset123 in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

That's really kind .mi just forgot to tell him about my eyes.. so I panicked

[muddledme in reply to GardeningDorset123]

Hello GardeningDorset123,

Interested in your post re Glaucoma and high cholesterol as I also have both.

A few months ago I started taking Vit B3 supplements of 500 mg daily, after about 3 months my previously high cholesterol of 8 had dropped to 5.2. This was the lowest level I have ever recorded over many years.

Vit B3 Nicotinamide is known to lower cholesterol but I had heard from a Glaucoma webinar and some research at Moorfields that this was showing possible benefits to Glaucoma.

Statins are not suitable for me so I was pleased that perhaps B3 could help both conditions.

A few weeks ago I noticed a large bruise although I could not remember any cause, then the optician found two optic nerve haemorrhages, the first? since eye surgery in 2020 and 2021.. Bruising is a possible side effect of high dose B3, so I stopped them.

I must contact Moorfields to ask their opinion sometime.

There is a lot of information about B3 on Google and of course I may be quite wrong about the side effects.

My two eye bleeds have now gone and no more large bruises since stopping the capsules.

It would be interesting to hear what advice you are given.

Best wishes

[GardeningDorset123 in reply to muddledme]

I'm taking b,3 too but only three tablets a day not six...my consultant won't talk about any self help I can do..but I've just made a private appointment at moorfields.I'll post if I get any advice

[Beecalmed in reply to muddledme]

Thanks for posting your observations when taking B3. It’s so difficult isn’t it, to work out what is benefitting our health and what is not?