Fresh Insights into Cholesterol, Eggs, and Eye Health Risks

In 2015, guidelines regarding dietary cholesterol were abandoned after extensive research, yet misconceptions about eggs persist. A recent study reveals that these outdated beliefs prevent many, especially older adults with type 2 diabetes, from incorporating eggs into their diets. A podcast episode recently dedicated to this study highlights this misconception.

The study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology provides new insights into the potential health risks for older adults. It identifies a possible link between high levels of HDL cholesterol and an increased risk of glaucoma in individuals over 55. This finding challenges previous assumptions that higher "good" HDL cholesterol would correlate with lower glaucoma rates. Yu-Ming Ni, MD, expressed his surprise, noting he would have expected a different outcome regarding cholesterol's impact on glaucoma.

Moreover, the study also explored the relationship between certain medications, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, and vision problems, including NAION—a potentially blinding eye condition. Researchers found that nine out of thirteen people taking these drugs experienced vision issues. The study's findings were divisive, with some experts questioning the results due to the small sample size involved.

“Between 2-3% of the U.S. population received a prescription for one of these medications in 2023. Because so many people are using these medications, it’s critical to monitor any ill effects on the eye or other parts of the body.”

The research underscores the importance of monitoring potential adverse effects as these medications become more widely used. The findings have sparked discussions among medical professionals about the need for further studies to verify these results and explore potential implications for millions relying on these treatments.

“At the time, it was thought that dietary cholesterol (i.e., the cholesterol found in eggs) could raise levels of plasma cholesterol. This amount of dietary cholesterol that could be consumed per day was further reduced later on for those at high risk of heart disease. It was not until 2015 — and after a lot of research had been done — that these guidelines were abandoned,” said Donna Kritz-Silverstein, PhD.