Consumption of a large amount of caffeine increases the risk of glaucoma more than three times for people genetically predisposed to high eye pressure (IGD). The danger of coffee for vision was revealed by the scientists of the Ikan Medical School at the Mount Sinai Medical Center. A study published in the Ophthalmology journal briefly describes the press release on MedicalXpress.
Specialists analyzed records of more than 120,000 participants collected from 2006 to 2010. Volunteers who also provided samples of their DNA were from 39 to 73 years. They filled out the dietary questionnaires, noting how much drinks drink with caffeine daily, as well as some caffery products are used by which portions. Researchers took into account the presence of glaucoma in a family history.
After three years, the participants measured intraocular pressure and examined their eyes. In general, the high consumption of caffeine was not associated with an increased risk of higher WGD or glaucoma. However, a quarter of volunteers who have revealed the highest genetic predisposition to glaucoma, the love of coffee and caffery-containing products was associated with the high risk of developing the WGD and glaucoma.
In particular, consumption of more than 480 milligrams of coffee per day (approximately corresponds to four cups of coffee) contributed to the eye pressure at the level of 0.35 millimeters of mercury pillars. With a high genetic risk, consumption of approximately three cups of coffee per day increased the risk of glaucoma by 3.9 times compared to those who used caffeine in the minimum quantity or did not use at all.
When glauer, intraocular pressure exceeds the norm, leading to irreversible impact defects, including a decrease in visual acuity, reducing the visual field and atrophy of the visual nerve. Treatment can slow down the progression of the disease that leads to blindness.