If you take a type of blood pressure medicine called calcium channel blockers (CCBs), a new study suggests you might face a higher risk of developing glaucoma—a serious eye disease that can lead to vision loss.
The study, led by Dr. Alan Kastner and his team from Moorfields Eye Hospital and University College London, analyzed the health records of over 427,000 adults in the UK. Among them, 33,175 people were taking CCBs to manage their blood pressure.
After adjusting for age, lifestyle, and other health conditions, the researchers found that people using CCBs were more likely to have glaucoma than those not on the drug. Even more interesting, this increased risk wasn’t seen with other types of blood pressure medications—just with CCBs.
They also noticed that people on CCBs showed early signs of eye changes linked to glaucoma, even if the pressure inside their eyes was normal. That’s important because glaucoma is usually caused by high pressure in the eye, which damages the optic nerve over time. But in this case, the problem seemed to happen even without that usual warning sign.
The study doesn’t prove that CCBs cause glaucoma, but it does show a strong link that needs more investigation. Dr. Kastner’s team says more research is needed to understand what’s really going on and whether CCBs affect the eyes in a new, unknown way.
Why does this matter? CCBs are widely prescribed to help lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. They’re important drugs used by millions of people to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
But glaucoma is also a serious condition—often called the “silent thief of sight” because it can develop slowly and without symptoms. By the time most people notice vision changes, the damage is already done, and the vision loss is usually permanent.
That’s why early detection is key. Eye doctors recommend regular check-ups, especially for people over 40 or those with risk factors like family history, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
If you’re taking CCBs and are concerned about this new study, the best thing to do is talk with your doctor or eye specialist. They can help assess your risk and decide if you need additional eye exams or possibly a change in medication.
It’s worth noting that some researchers involved in the study have ties to drug companies, though it’s not clear if that influenced the findings. The study was published in JAMA Ophthalmology, a respected medical journal.
For now, this research adds an important piece to the puzzle about how the medicines we take for one health problem may affect other parts of the body. It’s a reminder of how closely connected our systems are—and how valuable regular check-ups can be for protecting not just your heart, but your vision too.
If you care about eye health, please read studies about how vitamin B may help fight vision loss, and MIND diet may reduce risk of vision loss disease.
For more information about eye disease, please see recent studies about how to protect your eyes from glaucoma, and results showing this eye surgery may reduce dementia risk.
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