High Cholesterol and Your Vision | American Heart Month

Do you know your cholesterol level? Many of us don’t. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is naturally found in the body. Certain foods also contain high levels of cholesterol. While your body needs some cholesterol, too much can contribute to a variety of diseases and medical conditions.

High cholesterol can also affect your eyes and vision both indirectly and directly. February is American Heart Month. It is a good opportunity to learn more about how cholesterol affects the eyes and how to manage levels. 
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Causes of high cholesterol 

Several factors may increase your risk of developing high cholesterol, including the following:

Increased age: As a person ages, their body chemistry changes, which may increase their risk of cholesterol levels climbing.
 
Having a sedentary lifestyle: Exercise helps increase HDL cholesterol in the body. HDL helps protect against heart disease and the effects of bad (LDL) cholesterol.
 
Poor diet: Eating foods that are high in saturated and trans fat can increase your bad cholesterol. Foods, such as commercial baked goods, fried foods, and full-fat dairy, often have increased saturated fats.
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Eye issues related to cholesterol levels

High cholesterol can affect the eyes in several ways. For example, in some cases, it can lead to other conditions that increase the risk of developing eye diseases. In other instances, high cholesterol itself may lead to changes in the eyes. Below are some possible eye issues related to cholesterol levels.

Increased risk of developing diabetes: High cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing eye diseases. 

Fatty deposits: Fatty deposits can form under the upper and lower eyelids when cholesterol levels climb high. The deposits do not affect vision unless they become large. But for appearance, they can be removed through surgery or cryotherapy.

Increased risk of a stroke: High cholesterol levels may increase your risk of having a stroke. A stroke decreases blood flow to the brain, which can have temporary or lasting effects on vision.

Higher chance of developing glaucoma: According to Harvard Medical School, some studies show for every 20-point increase in cholesterol, the risk of glaucoma increases by seven percent. 

Managing cholesterol levels 

Although certain genetic factors may play a role in managing cholesterol, there are many lifestyle choices that have a big impact on your numbers. Consider the following suggestions to manage cholesterol:

Limit high cholesterol foods: Making healthy diet choices can play a big role in decreasing overall cholesterol levels. Learn to read food labels and limit foods high in saturated fats, such as cheese, egg yolks, and fatty meats. According to the American Heart Association, most people should limit their saturated fat to less than six percent of their daily calories.

Eat fiber-rich foods: Eating fiber-rich foods, such as beans, whole grains, and vegetables, can decrease bad cholesterol levels.

Don’t smoke: Smoking is bad for your overall heart health. People that smoke have an increased risk of heart disease, including having a heart attack and an increased risk of high blood pressure. Smoking is also thought to lower good cholesterol levels. All of these increased risk factors can have a negative effect on our overall well-being.

Exercise regularly: Getting regular exercise can increase levels of good cholesterol, which helps protect your heart health. Shoot for at least 30 minutes of some type of aerobic exercise on most days of the week. Good choices include brisk walking, biking, and dance classes.

Talk to your doctor about cholesterol lowering medications: In some cases, medications to lower cholesterol levels may be recommended. Different classifications of cholesterol medications are available. Keep in mind, everyone is different when it comes to treating cholesterol. Talk with your doctor to determine if cholesterol drugs are an option.

We hope the information above was helpful. If you have any questions, we are happy to help. If you would like to ask if an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, please phone our office at 508-746-8600.