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Related Experiment Videos

Do selective topical beta antagonists for glaucoma have respiratory side effects?

J F Kirwan1, J A Nightingale, C Bunce

  • 1Department of Epidemiology and International Eye Health, Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK. jfkirwan@ucl.ac.uk

The British Journal of Ophthalmology
|January 23, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Topical beta antagonists, used for glaucoma, increase the risk of airways obstruction. Both selective and non-selective types pose a significant risk, requiring careful prescribing considerations.

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Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Pulmonology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Topical beta-blockers are widely prescribed for glaucoma in the UK.
  • Previous research indicated a link between topical beta-blockers and increased airways obstruction.
  • This study investigated selective topical beta-blockers specifically.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if selective topical beta-blockers are associated with an increased incidence of airways obstruction.
  • To compare the risk of airways obstruction between selective and non-selective topical beta-blockers.

Main Methods:

  • A historical cohort study was conducted from 1993-1997.
  • Subjects with no prior history of airways obstruction were analyzed.
  • Cases were identified by the first prescription for a drug to manage airways obstruction.

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Main Results:

  • Selective topical beta-blockers showed an adjusted hazard rate of 3.0 (95% CI 1.6 to 5.4) for airways obstruction.
  • Non-selective topical beta-blockers had an adjusted hazard rate of 2.2 (1.6 to 3.0).
  • Both drug classes were associated with a significantly increased risk of airways obstruction, with no significant difference between them (p=0.47).

Conclusions:

  • Selective topical beta-blockers appear to carry an excess risk of airways obstruction.
  • The prescribing precautions for non-selective topical beta-blockers should also apply to selective agents.
  • Further research may be needed to fully elucidate the risks.