A research conducted at Harvard University has drawn a link between drinking coffee and Glaucoma. Through a publication in a journal titled Investigative ophthalmology & visual science, individuals with a heavy daily intake of caffeinated coffee have an increased exposure to exfoliation glaucoma which is a leading eye problem amongst adults aged 50 and above. According to the study, those drinking more than three cups of coffee in a day have a 34 percent chance of developing the disorder. The predisposition towards the disorder is higher in women coming from a family with a history of glaucoma with close to two-thirds of those who took part in the study being diagnosed with the disorder.
What does exfoliation glaucoma refer to?
This is one of the major causes of blindness worldwide affecting millions of people. It refers to a number of simple diseases that if left unattended have a potential of destroying the optic nerve due to the pressure exerted in the eye as they result to fluid upsurge. Exfoliation glaucoma appears like powdery shavings on the lens of the eye. This ‘powder’, as a result of the constant rubbing of the lens, leads to clogging of the eyes creating an atmosphere of extreme pressure.
The basics of the research
This study is the pioneering link between coffee and glaucoma/vision loss and analyzed a sample of close to eighty thousand women and forty thousand men all drawn from reputed health organizations. The focus of the research was on people who had no known cases of glaucoma. The data analyzed indicated prevalence of the disease amongst those taking coffee only but not other beverages containing caffeine. The research was also able to draw a higher predisposition to glaucoma amongst Scandinavian population. The reason for this lies in the affinity this population has towards coffee.
The impact of this study
Coffee has been associated with a number of benefits such as lessening risk towards stroke, diabetes and prostate cancer amongst others. With the new preliminary findings drawing linkage to glaucoma, researchers have recommended additional research to ascertain this and also advised those coming from a family with a glaucoma history to moderate their coffee intake.
Managing glaucoma
Due to its painless nature, it is quite hard to detect and it progresses silently resulting to permanent damage to the eye. Eye experts advocate for constant eye checkups especially for those with a family history, those above the age of sixty years, with eye injuries and those with a history of steroid use.
Via – yahoo health news
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