Charles Bahn, MD: Harvard Study Reveals Possible Link Between Glaucoma and Caffeinated Coffee

PHILADELPHIA, PA, October 19, 2012

For years, the health benefits of coffee--and caffeinated drinks in general--have remained a subject of debate amongst professionals in the medical community. While many of those qualities are still under scrutiny, new research suggests that certain patterns of caffeinated coffee consumption could lead to impaired vision. According to a recent article from LA Weekly, "A new Harvard study says drinking as little as three cups of coffee a day could contribute to glaucoma-related vision loss." Charles Bahn, MD, a Maryland-based ophthalmologist, comments on this study and how it may impact coffee drinkers.

The article explains that the team of researchers at Harvard carefully analyzed comprehensive data collected from over 120,000 subjects. The study relied on information gathered via questionnaire about each subject's coffee consumption patterns and medical histories. LA Weekly reveals that the motivation for the research came from a trend discovered in Scandinavia; the article states, "Scandinavian populations have the highest consumption of caffeinated coffee in the world, and they also have a high incidence of exfoliation glaucoma."

As a doctor specializing in glaucoma, Charles Bahn, MD explains, "Exfoliation glaucoma is a common type of the condition that develops as a result of exfoliation syndrome, commonly found among those of European descent. Since it affects nearly 10 percent of adults over the age of 50, any efforts to better understand the causes are a positive step forward to greater prevention."

According to the article, the study found that adults who drank more than two cups of coffee a day were 34 percent likely to develop exfoliation glaucoma; women with family history of glaucoma faced increased risks up to 66 percent. However, Charles Bahn, MD adds that despite the new findings, coffee drinkers should not panic over their caffeinated coffee consumption.

Charles Bahn, MD concludes, "As the article states, there is a great deal more research that needs to be done before any conclusive link is determined. While this study may urge many to cut down on their coffee consumption, it should also be recognized that coffee is linked to a great deal of health benefits as well. This includes lowering the risk of developing diabetes--a disease widely connected to higher risks of glaucoma. Until further studies are conducted, I think it is best for each individual patient to discuss their risks with trusted doctors before making adjustments to their diet."

ABOUT:

Charles Bahn, MD is an ophthalmologist in Bethesda, Maryland, who holds degrees from Tulane University and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Through his practice, Charles Bahn, MD offers a high degree of care to his patients. Additionally, he specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing corneal and external eye diseases. Specifically, Charles Bahn, MD is interested in glaucoma.

Website: http://charlesbahnmd.com/