From the Guidelines
High cholesterol itself does not directly cause blindness, but it can contribute to conditions that may lead to vision loss, such as retinal vein occlusion, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, particularly in individuals with diabetes 1. High cholesterol levels can damage blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the eyes, which can lead to these conditions. Additionally, high cholesterol is a risk factor for stroke, which can affect the visual pathways in the brain and cause vision problems. Some key points to consider include:
- Managing cholesterol levels through a healthy diet low in saturated fats, regular exercise, and medications like statins if prescribed by your doctor can help protect your vision 1.
- Regular eye exams are also crucial for early detection of any vision problems, especially if you have high cholesterol or other cardiovascular risk factors.
- The relationship between cholesterol and stroke is complex, with some studies suggesting a weak association between serum cholesterol and an increasing risk of cerebral infarction, while others have found that reductions of elevations of LDL with β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (“statins”) can modestly retard the progression of asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis 1.
- It is essential to follow a heart-healthy diet to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which can help prevent conditions that may lead to vision loss 1.
From the Research
Relationship Between High Cholesterol and Blindness
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to suggest that high cholesterol can lead to blindness 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The studies primarily focus on the effects of statins and other cholesterol-lowering medications on cardiovascular events and mortality, rather than vision or blindness.
- High cholesterol is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, particularly in individuals aged 70-100 years 6.
- However, none of the studies mention blindness as a potential consequence of high cholesterol.
Cholesterol-Lowering Medications and Their Effects
- Statins, such as atorvastatin, have been shown to effectively lower LDL cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events 2, 4.
- The addition of ezetimibe to statin therapy has been found to further reduce LDL cholesterol levels and improve cardiovascular outcomes 3.
- Atorvastatin has been found to have a favorable safety profile, with low rates of adverse events and no significant effects on glycemic control or cancer risk 2, 4, 5.