Yesterday, researchers released findings that showed what was reported as a link between long term use of birth control and glaucoma, an incurable, progressive condition that leads to blindness. If you trusted the way it was reported by several outlets, even so much as thinking about whore pills was likely to cause your eyeballs to pop right the hell out of your head. Blindness is a “SCARY SIDE EFFECT!” of contraception screamed headlines. One website predicted that it might cause women to RETHINK BIRTH CONTROL. Everyone needs to calm the fuck down.
The research, presented at the 117th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, examined data from more than 3,400 women over forty, 231 of whom tested positive for glaucoma. Of those 231 with glaucoma, those who had taken hormonal contraceptives for more than 3 years had increased their odds for the disease twofold. As women aged further, that risk increased.
Researchers were careful to point out that 1- this newly-discovered association isn’t a cause for panic and 2- more research is needed. Here, from ABC News,
“We can’t really say [birth control pills] cause glaucoma,” said study researcher and author Elaine Wang, of Duke University. “But if you have been taking it for more than three years, and especially if you have other risk factors such as family history and older age, then you might want to talk to your doctor and go see an ophthalmologist to screen for glaucoma.”
From CNN,
“This study should be an impetus for future research to prove the cause and effect of oral contraceptives and glaucoma,” said Dr. Shan Lin, lead researcher and professor of clinical ophthalmology at the University of California, San Francisco. “At this point, women who have taken oral contraceptives for three or more years should be screened for glaucoma and followed closely by an ophthalmologist, especially if they have any other existing risk factors.”
From NPR,
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