Early onset of diabetes, hypertension can predict early glaucoma, ophthalmologists report

Medical Xpress / UT Southwestern Medical Center / Clinical Ophthalmology ^ | August 29, 2022 | Jeffrey Wooliscroft et al

[ConservativeMind]

The earlier individuals develop type 2 diabetes or hypertension in life, the earlier they are likely to develop primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the leading cause of irreversible blindness, researchers reported in a recent study. The findings could lead to better screening protocols for POAG, which accounts for up to 90% of all cases of glaucoma.

"Currently, we lack the tools to cure glaucoma, but with enough advanced notice, we can preserve patients' vision. Early detection of glaucoma is the key to better control of intraocular pressure and preventing blindness," said Karanjit Kooner, M.D.

Tens of millions of people have POAG. Because this disease has few symptoms in its earliest stages, patients are frequently diagnosed in its later stages when vision has already been permanently damaged. Although researchers have identified several risk factors for POAG—including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, migraines, and obstructive sleep apnea—how they might influence the onset of POAG is not well understood.

To answer this question, Dr. Kooner and his colleagues collected data from the medical records of 389 POAG patients. Using statistical modeling, the researchers found no connection between migraines and/or obstructive sleep apnea and the age of POAG onset. However, the researchers found that the age of type 2 diabetes and/or hypertension diagnosis was significantly linked with the onset of POAG—the earlier patients presented with either or both of these conditions, the earlier they tended to develop POAG.

Dr. Kooner noted that both type 2 diabetes and hypertension are diseases that affect blood vessels of both the optic nerve and retina, thus potentially causing changes that predispose patients to POAG, another condition with a vascular root. If these connections hold up in future research, he said, type 2 diabetes and hypertension could be added to the list of factors that can trigger POAG screening.

[ConservativeMind]

Vascular health issues cause all sorts of other issues, and we don’t do a good job addressing the root causes, so we are left doing a lot of separate medical work, as new complications appear.

The man who was my barber when I was a child developed this form of glaucoma, several decades ago. He was/is a great guy and I’d love to find a way to undo this issue for him, but to no avail.

We know we could be treating ourselves better, but when we don’t yet see a “major” issue, we go on believing we aren’t in true need of life changes.

[ConservativeMind]

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[Blurb2350]

It’s all the same thing — diet-induced inflammation. Some even refer to dementia and Alzheimer’s as Type III diabetes.

[mewzilla]

That isn't news.

But this is...

Ophthalmic manifestation after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: a case series

FWIW, I'd rather have glaucoma.