High caffeine intake could raise risk of blinding eye disease: Study

According to the international multi-center study, consuming large amounts of caffeine daily can increase the risk of glaucoma more than three-fold. The research conducted by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is the first to show a dietary-genetic interaction in glaucoma. Published in the journal Ophthalmology, the study suggested that patients with a strong family history of glaucoma should cut down on caffeine intake.

This research looked at the impact of caffeine and intraocular pressure (IOP), which is pressure inside the eye. Elevated IOP is a major risk factor for glaucoma. However, other factors do contribute to this condition.

For the study, a team of researchers analysed records of more than 120,000 people aged between 39 and 73 years. The relationship between caffeine intake, IOP and self-reported glaucoma was determined by running a multivariable analysis.

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As per researchers, those who consumed the highest amount of daily caffeine (approximately four cups of coffee) had a three-fold higher risk for glaucoma compared to those who drink minimal caffeine in the lowest genetic risk group.