Pulmonary safety of ophthalmic beta-blockers: a nationwide registry-based cohort study

Ophthalmic beta-blockers, used in the treatment of increased intraocular pressure, are known to cause pulmonary adverse effects. Few, if any, studies have quantified the extent of the problem in a real-life population. In this nationwide study, we assess the pulmonary safety of patients initiating treatment with ophthalmic beta-blockers.

Using the Danish Nationwide Registries from 1995 to 2012, we identified all individuals aged 20-90 years who initiated monotherapy with an intraocular pressure-lowering drug, with or without concomitant obstructive pulmonary disease. Risks of (i) switching to another drug and (ii) new onset of obstructive pulmonary disease during a 90-day follow-up were examined by cumulative risk and logistic regression models adjusted for available covariates.

The cohort consisted of 97 463 individuals. Odds ratios for drug switch in individuals without concomitant obstructive pulmonary disease (n = 86 568) were as follows: 1.47 for beta-blockers (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.35-1.61; p < 0.001), 2.68 for parasympathomimetics (95% CI: 2.32-3.10; p < 0.001) and 4.80 for alfa-2-agonists (95% CI: 4.17-5.53; p < 0.001). Odds ratios in individuals with concomitant obstructive pulmonary disease (n = 10 895) were as follows: 2.61 for parasympathomimetics (95% CI: 1.83-3.72; p < 0.001), 2.96 for beta-blockers (95% CI: 2.31-3.78; p < 0.001) and 3.54 for alfa-2-agonists (95% CI: 2.56-4.88; p < 0.001). There was no significant association between treatment class and new onset of obstructive pulmonary disease (p = 0.30).

Ophthalmic beta-blockers were associated with an increased risk of drug switch. However, the absolute risk was very small. No increased risk of new onset of obstructive pulmonary disease was found. Our data suggest that more patients might be eligible for ophthalmic beta-blockers.