Did
you know that the lipid lowering cholesterol medications called “statins” might
also cause lipid layer instability in your tear film-and lead to dry eye
symptoms? Researchers reporting in the American Journal
of Ophthalmology
found that patients with a history of taking stains to lower their cholesterol
are more often than others bothered by dry eye disease and problems.
Dry
eye disease (DED) affects some 7% to 33% of the general population. The actual
incidence and severity of DED increases with age and female gender but is
almost always characterized by decreased tear production and/or increased
evaporation and can lead to symptoms of ocular discomfort, visual disturbances,
and a diminished quality of life. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is the most
common cause of evaporative dry eye and involves abnormalities in the
quantity and/or composition of tear film lipids, including excess free
cholesterol. Researchers have now identified that there is an association
between MGD/DED and Dyslipidemia which is a significant risk factor for
cardiovascular disease, affecting an estimated 12% of adults. It is most
often treated with “statin” medications. So, if you are one of the millions of
patients taking cholesterol medication to lower your risk of heart disease and
suffer from dry eyes, grittiness, sandy feeling eyes and changing fluctuating
vision, please schedule an eye exam so we can provide a proper diagnosis and
help for dry eyes. Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at
205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or Facebook.
Alabama Eye & Cataract Center is a leading eye care center in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 and staffed by UAB Medicine eye doctors and eye specialists.
