A new study has revealed that the presence of type 2 diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure) may significantly increase the risk of developing glaucoma, which is the leading cause of blindness worldwide.
Analysis of medical claims from more than 2 million type 2 diabetics who visited an eye doctor between 2001 and 2007 showed that a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes increased the risk of glaucoma by 35 percent, while hypertension was linked to 17 per cent higher risk.
Both conditions together resulted in a 48 percent increased likelihood of the degenerative eye condition.
Dr Joshua Stein, MD, lead author of the study, said: "Patients who have diabetes and hypertension are already known to be at elevated risk for eye conditions like diabetic retinopathy, a condition that harms the blood vessels in the retina."
"This study and others suggest that, for these patients, an increased likelihood of glaucoma is also a concern."
However, he added that the presence of type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure could aid early detection of the eye condition, which is usually not discovered until it is at an advanced, less-treatable stage.
Type 2 Diabetics At Greater Risk Of Glaucoma
Thu, 25 Aug 2011
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