Surreal illustration of an eye with lead particles, symbolizing the link between environmental toxins and glaucoma risk.

Lead Exposure: Is it Silently Stealing Your Sight?

Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 3 min read.

"New research uncovers a concerning link between bone lead levels and the risk of developing primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG)."

Glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, affects millions worldwide and can lead to irreversible blindness. While established risk factors like age, intraocular pressure, and genetics are well-known, the quest to uncover other contributing elements continues. Now, a groundbreaking study sheds light on a potential new culprit: lead exposure.

For years, lead exposure has been linked to a range of health problems, from cognitive decline to cardiovascular issues. This new research, however, suggests a concerning connection between accumulated lead in the body and the development of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the most common form of glaucoma. This finding underscores the importance of understanding the long-term impact of environmental toxins on our health.

This article breaks down the study’s key findings, exploring the potential mechanisms behind this link, and what it means for you and your eye health. Let's explore how past environmental exposures might be impacting your vision today.

The Bone-Lead Glaucoma Connection

Surreal illustration of an eye with lead particles, symbolizing the link between environmental toxins and glaucoma risk.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan and Boston University, followed 634 men from the Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study (NAS) over several years. Participants underwent bone lead measurements using K-X-ray fluorescence (KXRF) to assess cumulative lead exposure. Researchers then tracked the incidence of POAG among the participants.

The results were striking. Men with higher levels of lead in their bones, particularly in the patella (kneecap), had a significantly increased risk of developing POAG. Specifically, a 10-fold increase in patella lead levels was associated with a five-fold higher risk of incident POAG. Similar, though slightly weaker, associations were observed with lead levels in the tibia (shinbone).

Here's a quick breakdown of the key findings:

Higher bone lead levels are associated with increased POAG risk.
Patella lead (reflecting bioavailable lead) showed a stronger link than tibia lead.
The association remained significant even after accounting for other risk factors.
The study suggests a potential link between past environmental lead exposure and current glaucoma risk.

This research provides compelling evidence that bone lead may be an important, previously overlooked, risk factor for POAG. It highlights the potential long-term consequences of environmental lead exposure, even decades after it initially occurred.

Protecting Your Vision: What You Need to Know

While this study reveals a concerning link, it's important to remember that glaucoma is a complex disease with multiple contributing factors. If you're concerned about your risk of glaucoma, talk to your doctor about getting regular eye exams, especially if you have a family history of the disease or other risk factors. While more research is needed to fully understand the lead-glaucoma connection, staying informed and taking proactive steps to protect your health is always a good idea.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1289/ehp3442, Alternate LINK

Title: Bone Lead Levels And Risk Of Incident Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: The Va Normative Aging Study

Subject: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives

Publisher: Environmental Health Perspectives

Authors: Weiye Wang, Sayoko Moroi, Kelly Bakulski, Bhramar Mukherjee, Marc G. Weisskopf, Debra Schaumberg, David Sparrow, Pantel S. Vokonas, Howard Hu, Sung Kyun Park

Published: 2018-08-01

Everything You Need To Know

What specific link did researchers find between bone lead and eye health?

The study found a significant association between elevated bone lead levels, particularly in the patella (kneecap), and an increased risk of developing primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). A 10-fold increase in patella lead levels was associated with a five-fold higher risk of incident POAG. This suggests that accumulated lead in the bones from past exposure may contribute to the development of POAG later in life. While tibia (shinbone) lead levels also showed an association, it was slightly weaker than that of patella lead.

How does the study suggest that past environmental exposure to lead might affect the development of glaucoma?

The research suggests that accumulated lead in the body, specifically in bones like the patella and tibia, may be linked to the development of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). The study followed men from the Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study (NAS) and found a correlation between higher bone lead levels and an increased risk of POAG. This indicates that past environmental lead exposure could have long-term consequences for eye health, even decades after the initial exposure. It's important to note that this study focused on men, and further research is needed to confirm these findings in women and other populations.

What is primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and what are the known risk factors besides lead exposure?

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a group of eye diseases characterized by damage to the optic nerve, which can lead to irreversible blindness. Established risk factors for POAG include age, intraocular pressure, and genetics. However, the recent research suggests that bone lead levels, reflecting cumulative lead exposure, may be an additional risk factor. It's crucial to understand that POAG is a complex condition with multiple contributing factors, and lead exposure is just one potential piece of the puzzle. Regular eye exams are essential for early detection and management of POAG, especially for individuals with a family history of the disease or other risk factors.

How did the researchers measure lead exposure in the study, and why was this method chosen?

The study utilized K-X-ray fluorescence (KXRF) to measure bone lead levels in participants from the Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study (NAS). KXRF is a non-invasive technique that allows researchers to assess cumulative lead exposure by measuring lead concentrations in bones like the patella (kneecap) and tibia (shinbone). This method provides a way to estimate past lead exposure, which is particularly relevant given the long-term effects of lead on health. It's important to consider that bone lead levels reflect long-term exposure, while blood lead levels primarily indicate recent exposure. By measuring bone lead, researchers can investigate the cumulative impact of lead exposure on the risk of developing primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

If I am concerned about glaucoma, what steps should I take based on these findings about lead exposure?

While the study establishes a concerning link between bone lead levels and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) risk, it's essential to remember that glaucoma is a multifactorial disease. This means that various factors, including age, intraocular pressure, genetics, and potentially environmental toxins like lead, can contribute to its development. The study highlights the importance of being aware of potential environmental risk factors and taking proactive steps to protect your health. If you have concerns about your risk of glaucoma, especially if you have a family history of the disease or past lead exposure, consult with your doctor about getting regular eye exams and discussing potential preventive measures.