Research Update: Coffee Consumption Linked to Higher Risk of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Coffee, the “most popular and widely consumed beverage in the world,” is often thought of in relation to wakefulness. Some studies have also shown its role in lowering the incidence of certain health conditions, like diabetes. Now, research indicates that it can play a role in the development of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). In an article in Ophthalmology, a publication of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, results from a research study provide evidence that higher coffee consumption is also connected with a higher risk of POAG. Previous studies have suggested that coffee influences intraocular pressure (IOC), a risk factor for glaucoma. However, few evaluated the relationship between consuming the beverage and glaucoma and “the causality remains unclear.” This study used Mendelian randomization (MR), making it more effective than earlier undertakings, due to its use of genetic variables to examine the “causal relationship between risk factors and outcomes.” The report concludes that these findings can help in gaining insights into possible strategies to prevent and manage POAG. Read more here about how “Habitual Coffee Consumption Increases (the) Risk of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma.”