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. Call us
at Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor
& Associates in Fairfield County, or Facebook.
Doctor & Associates offices are conveniently located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.
