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

Sci Rep. 2023 Sep 27;13(1):16224. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-43420-3.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of antihypertensive medication on risks of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) among patients diagnosed with hypertension (HTN). A total of 5,195 patients, who were diagnosed with HTN between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2015, and subsequently diagnosed with OAG, were selected for analysis. For each OAG patient, 5 non-glaucomatous, hypertensive controls were matched (n = 25,975) in hypertension diagnosis date, residential area, insurance type and economic status. Antihypertensive medications were stratified into 5 types: angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), calcium channel blockers (CCB), β-blockers and diuretics. Relative risks were calculated. After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, lifestyle, comorbidities, blood pressure (BP), follow-up duration, and use of other types of antihypertensive drugs, ARB and CCB were found to slightly increase OAG risks (RR 1.1087 (95% CI 1.0293-1.1942); 1.0694 (1.0077-1.1349), respectively). Combinations of ARB with diuretics (1.0893 (1.0349-1.1466)) and CCB (1.0548 (1.0122-1.0991)) also increased OAG risks. The risks for OAG were found to increase by antihypertensive medication use, but the effects appeared to be small. Further studies are necessary to identify the associations of increased BP, medication and therapeutic effect with OAG.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists / adverse effects
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Antihypertensive Agents / adverse effects
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Diuretics / adverse effects
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle* / drug therapy
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Hypertension* / drug therapy
  • Hypertension* / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Diuretics