According to a study in the Journal of
the American College of Cardiology, very low levels of LDL, or bad
cholesterol, puts you at a greater risk for cataract. The
researchers studied patients with heart disease taking LDL inhibitors
to achieve unusually low cholesterol level. There were no adverse
effects noted from the inhibitors except for an increased risk of
cataracts.
This is news and not good news. I have
had cataracts and the operation to correct my vision, but I have not
used a PCSK9 inhibitor.
The cholesterol-lowering drug, or
statins, used in the study were specifically PCSK9 inhibitor, and no
reports of side affects have surfaced, including memory impairment or
nervous system disorders. However, the study showed that the risk
for cataract is increased among statin users as compared with
nonusers. According to the researchers, to glean the maximum amount
of benefits and avoid risks, statin use specifically for primary
prevention, should be carefully weighed.
According to the EurekAlert, statins
are largely used to lower LDL cholesterol, or bad cholesterol. They
are prescribed in hopes to lower risks of a heart attack or
stroke. However, some high risk patients need to reduce their LDL
level even further.
PCSK9 inhibitors can help them do that,
but concerns on very low levels of LDL cholesterol effects on the
body functions have risen. An analysis did show an increased
incidence of cataracts in patients with LDL less than 25 compared to
those greater than 25. This finding could be because reducing
cholesterol accelerates underlying aging-related changes resulting to
the development of cataracts.
According to The Jama Network, cataract
development may be induced by oxidative stress, including a possible
mitochondrial effect, which can potentially increase risk for
cataract. Previous studies have seen increased rates of cataract
among animals and humans with hereditary cholesterol deficiency. The
recent studies on the effects of very low bad cholesterol have
yielded an unexpected finding, putting patients who take statins in a
precarious condition.
Please read this blog as it does add
the side effect of type 2 diabetes, which is not recognized by this
study.
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