Calcium channel blockers increased risk of glaucoma

The use of calcium channel blockers increased the incidence of glaucoma. The use of systemic beta-blockers was associated with lower intraocular pressure.

Researchers from Erasmus University Medical Center, Cambridge University School of Clinical Medicine, and the University of Leipzig studied the effects of commonly used systemic medications on glaucoma development and changes in intraocular pressure levels. The study was published in the journal Ophtalmology.

Taking calcium channel blockers increased the risk of glaucoma by 23% and by 96% for monotherapy. There was no clear association between glaucoma development and the use of the other studied drugs.

The lowest intraocular pressure was observed with systemic beta-blockers: on average, 0.33 mmHg lower compared with the other drugs. In the case of monotherapy with selective beta-blockers, intraocular pressure decreased by an average of 0.45 mmHg, and by 0.54 mmHg with nonselective blockers. There was no association of intraocular pressure levels with other hypotensive drugs or other drug groups.

Data from 11 studies examining the epidemiology of eye disease were examined. The meta-analysis included 143,240 participants to analyze the development of glaucoma and 47,177 participants to analyze changes in intraocular pressure levels. The prevalence of glaucoma ranged from 0.9 to 8.7%. The highest prevalence was found among older participants. The mean intraocular pressure level was 13.8-16.1 mmHg.

The effect of 4 drug categories was assessed: hypotensive drugs (including beta-blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers, alpha-agonists, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers), hypolipidemic drugs, antidepressants, and hypoglycemic medications (only among participants with diabetes).