Glaucoma Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Glaucoma, including details on cataracts, surgery, treatment, blindness.

Systemic antihypertensive medication and incident open-angle glaucoma.

Müskens RP, de Voogd S, Wolfs RC, Witteman JC, Hofman A, de Jong PT, Stricker BH, Jansonius NM

Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.

PURPOSE: To determine the association between systemic antihypertensive medication and incident open-angle glaucoma. DESIGN: Prospective population-based cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: The study population consisted of a subset of 3842 participants of the Rotterdam Study for whom data from identical ophthalmologic examinations at baseline and follow-up were available. METHODS: Use of antihypertensive medication was registered over an average follow-up period of 6.5 years. Associations between incident open-angle glaucoma and antihypertensive medication were assessed using multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for age, gender, duration of follow-up, intraocular pressure, intraocular pressure-lowering medication, and cardiovascular disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Odds ratios of associations between incident open-angle glaucoma and use of antihypertensive medication. RESULTS: During follow-up, there were 87 incident cases of open-angle glaucoma. Participants using calcium channel antagonists had a 1.8-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-3.2; P = 0.037) higher risk of developing incident open-angle glaucoma. beta-Blockers were associated with a nonsignificant risk reduction (odds ratio, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.3-1.02; P = 0.060). None of the other classes of antihypertensives was significantly associated with incident open-angle glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that use of calcium channel antagonists is associated with open-angle glaucoma, but this requires confirmation. These results do not support the use of calcium channel antagonists for the treatment of normal-tension glaucoma.

Published 6 December 2007 in Ophthalmology, 114(12): 2221-6.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Glaucoma Research Today. All Rights Reserved.