A new study led by researchers from Flinders University, Australia, found that eating undercooked or raw meat can increase the risk of vision loss.
The new analysis revealed that Toxoplasma gondii – a parasite closely related to cats – is behind retinal scarring in one in 150 Australians.
“Retinal scarring is often caused by inflammation and can sometimes lead to retinal detachment,” said Giles Edmonds, director of clinical services for Specsavers, who was not involved in the study.
He continued, “Retinal scars are not easy to remove, which means that it is unlikely that any loss of vision will be restored and therefore can remain blocked or disfigured,” according to the “Express” website.
According to Edmonds, eating raw or undercooked meat can cause toxoplasmosis. In fact, researchers have now discovered that toxoplasmosis can also cause retinal scarring through ocular toxoplasmosis.
“This is related to the Toxoplasma parasite that is transmitted to livestock before meat-eaters can eat it. If the meat is not cooked properly, this means that these parasites have not been killed and are still present in the food we eat,” Edmunds explained.
Study first author Justin Smith, strategic professor of eye health and vision at Flinders University and her team analyzed retinal images of more than 5,000 people living in the Busselton region of Western Australia, previously collected to assess the prevalence of glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration for the Long-Term Healthy Aging Study. Three ophthalmologists evaluated screenings for Toxoplasma retinitis, with positive cases confirmed with blood tests for antibodies.
Of the 5,000 people, eight participants had blood-test-confirmed Toxoplasma retinal scars.
“While there is no cure or vaccine, symptoms of toxoplasmosis vary depending on the age, health and genetics of the affected individual,” Smith continued. “Many people do not have symptoms, but the most common disease we see in the clinic is retinitis. The scarring is known as ocular toxoplasmosis. Studies show Around the world, 30% to 50% of the world’s population is infected with Toxoplasma.