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Effect of antihypertensive medications on the risk of open-angle glaucoma

Jihei Sara Lee1, Hye Ryeong Cha2, Hyoung Won Bae1

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Severance Hospital, Institute of Vision Research, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.

Scientific Reports
|September 27, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Certain blood pressure medications, specifically angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs), may slightly increase open-angle glaucoma (OAG) risk in hypertensive patients. Further research is needed to clarify these associations.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Pharmacology
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Hypertension (HTN) is a prevalent condition often managed with antihypertensive medications.
  • Open-angle glaucoma (OAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
  • The potential impact of antihypertensive therapies on OAG risk remains an area of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between specific classes of antihypertensive medications and the risk of developing open-angle glaucoma (OAG) in patients with hypertension (HTN).

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective cohort study involving 5,195 patients diagnosed with HTN and subsequently OAG.
  • Matched controls (n=25,975) were selected based on hypertension diagnosis date, residential area, insurance, and economic status.
  • Antihypertensive medications were categorized into five types: ACE inhibitors, ARBs, CCBs, beta-blockers, and diuretics. Relative risks were calculated after adjusting for multiple confounding factors.

Main Results:

  • Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) were associated with a slight increase in OAG risk (RR 1.1087 and 1.0694, respectively).
  • Combinations of ARBs with diuretics and CCBs also showed a modest increase in OAG risk.
  • Overall, antihypertensive medication use demonstrated a small increase in OAG risk.

Conclusions:

  • Antihypertensive medications, particularly ARBs and CCBs, may be associated with a small but statistically significant increase in the risk of open-angle glaucoma.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the complex interplay between blood pressure, medication effects, and OAG development.

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