Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Glaucoma-inducing Procedure in an In Vivo Rat Model and Whole-mount Retina Preparation
Published on: March 12, 2016
A review of systemic medications that may modulate the risk of glaucoma
Annie Wu1, Anthony P Khawaja2, Louis R Pasquale3
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Abstract:
With increasing longevity, patients are developing more and more chronic diseases that require treatment with medications. Yet, it is not fully understood the extent by which these systemic medications affect ocular structures and whether they may increase or decrease the risk of sight-threatening ocular diseases. This review provides a summary of reported associations between different systemic medications and the risk of developing glaucoma or experiencing disease progression. Medication classes covered in this review that are known to or may modulate the risk of open-angle glaucoma include corticosteroids, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, metformin, statins, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, bupropion, postmenopausal hormones, and cannabinoids. Medication classes addressed in this review that may increase the risk of angle closure glaucoma include anticholinergics, adrenergic agonists, certain classes of antidepressants, sulfonamides, and topiramate.
Related Concept Videos
Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Glaucoma: Overview
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System
Cholinergic Antagonists: Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption

