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Risk of glaucoma increased by hypertension

Source: Reuters
High Blood Pressure linked to higher glaucoma risk

A study released by The University of Birmingham, UK of over 27,000 people with glaucoma, highlights a strong link between high blood pressure and glaucoma.

Medterms defines glaucoma as:  "A common eye condition in which the fluid pressure inside the eyes rises because of slowed fluid drainage from the eye. If untreated, it may damage the optic nerve and other parts of the eye, causing the loss of vision or even blindness."

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Reuters reports  Dr. Michael Langman's research "suggests that hypertension is characterised by increased sodium retention."  This may result in increased pressure in the eye, that is a key factor in glaucoma.

The study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology also discovered that high blood pressure treatment with beta-blocker drugs decreased the risk of glaucoma by a significant 23%.  Those patients treated with other types of hypertensive drugs were at a higher risk to glaucoma.

The study shows a definite link between high blood pressure and glaucoma and also highlights the effect of different hypertensive drugs on glaucoma.  May be worth discussing glaucoma risk at your next Doctors visit.

If you want to learn more about glaucoma, have a look at the Glaucoma Service Foundation website. Its aim is to prevent blindness by providing information on diagnosing, testing and treating glaucoma as well as a chat support group.

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