Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 22, 2026

Glaucoma-inducing Procedure in an In Vivo Rat Model and Whole-mount Retina Preparation
08:30

Glaucoma-inducing Procedure in an In Vivo Rat Model and Whole-mount Retina Preparation

Published on: March 12, 2016

Cardiovascular medication and intraocular pressure: results from the Gutenberg Health Study

René Höhn1,2, Alireza Mirshahi1,3, Stefan Nickels1

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany.

The British Journal of Ophthalmology
|April 14, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Systemic cardiovascular medications, including beta-blockers, do not significantly lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in non-glaucoma patients. This study suggests these drugs have a negligible effect on reducing eye pressure.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Intraocular pressure (IOP) is linked to cardiovascular health.
  • The effect of systemic cardiovascular medications on IOP remains debated.
  • This study investigates cardiovascular drug use and IOP in a large European cohort.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the association between cardiovascular medication use and intraocular pressure (IOP).
  • To clarify the controversial influence of antihypertensive drugs on IOP.
  • To assess the impact of various cardiovascular drug classes on IOP in a large population.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the population-based Gutenberg Health Study (n=13,527).
  • Measured IOP using a non-contact tonometer.
  • Employed multivariable linear regression to analyze associations between medication classes (including beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors) and IOP, excluding subjects with ocular conditions or topical treatments.

Main Results:

  • Neither selective nor non-selective systemic beta-blockers showed a statistically significant association with lower IOP.
  • ACE inhibitor use was not significantly linked to IOP after adjusting for BMI, systolic blood pressure, and central corneal thickness.
  • No tested cardiovascular medications demonstrated an association with IOP in individuals without glaucoma.

Conclusions:

  • Systemic cardiovascular medications, particularly beta-blockers, do not appear to lower IOP in non-glaucoma individuals.
  • Potential long-term drift phenomena of beta-blockers might influence these findings.
  • Systemic beta-blockers exhibit a negligible effect on reducing intraocular pressure.
Abstract

Keywords:
Intraocular pressurebeta-blockercardiovascular medicationlong-term driftpopulation-based cohort

More Related Videos

Laser Capture Microdissection of Highly Pure Trabecular Meshwork from Mouse Eyes for Gene Expression Analysis13:47

Laser Capture Microdissection of Highly Pure Trabecular Meshwork from Mouse Eyes for Gene Expression Analysis

Published on: June 3, 2018

Translaminar Autonomous System Model for the Modulation of Intraocular and Intracranial Pressure in Human Donor Posterior Segments08:55

Translaminar Autonomous System Model for the Modulation of Intraocular and Intracranial Pressure in Human Donor Posterior Segments

Published on: April 24, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Glaucoma: Overview01:25

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment01:27

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment

In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment01:28

Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment

Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
Hypertension II: Pathophysiology01:29

Hypertension II: Pathophysiology

Hypertension is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against artery walls is excessively high, posing risks such as heart disease. The condition's underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among the cardiovascular, kidney, and autonomic nervous systems.Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): This system significantly influences blood pressure regulation. When blood pressure decreases, the kidneys secrete renin. This enzyme transforms angiotensinogen, a plasma protein,...
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:30

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications01:28

Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications

Multiple classes of antihypertensive medications are employed in treating hypertension. The most commonly recommended first-line treatments include:Thiazide Diuretics, such as chlorthalidone, increase sodium and water excretion from the body, reducing blood volume and blood pressure.Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, like lisinopril, block the conversion of angiotensin I to II, a potent vasoconstrictor lowering blood pressure.Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) prevent angiotensin II...