A new study published in the American Journal of Medicine highlights a connection between good cardiovascular health and good ocular health.
Researchers analyzed the data from 6,118 adults who were 40 years old or older and had participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between the years of 2005 - 2008. Researchers were looking at the respondents lifestyle habits including smoking history, physical activity, healthy diet, normal weight, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose.
What researchers found in their review of the data was participants who had optimal cardiovascular health were 97 percent less likely to have diabetic retinopathy and also had lower odds for age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma.
The findings indicate a need for collaboration between cardiologists, optometrists, and ophthalmologists to hopefully prevent cardiovascular and ocular diseases in patients.
