A new study suggests that people taking a common type of blood pressure medication—Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs)—may face an increased risk of developing glaucoma, a serious eye disease that can cause blindness if left untreated.
The research, led by Dr. Alan Kastner at Moorfields Eye Hospital and University College London, examined the health records of over 427,000 UK adults. Of these, 33,175 were using CCBs. Even after accounting for factors like age, lifestyle, and existing health conditions, those taking CCBs were more likely to be diagnosed with glaucoma.
What makes this finding stand out is that the increased risk was linked specifically to CCBs—not other types of blood pressure medicines. The study also revealed that CCB users showed signs of early glaucoma even when their eye pressure was normal.
Typically, glaucoma is caused by high pressure in the eye that damages the optic nerve, but this finding suggests that CCBs might affect the eye through a different, still-unknown mechanism.
Both high blood pressure and glaucoma can progress silently, often without symptoms until significant damage occurs. This makes the potential connection between the two conditions especially concerning. The researchers stress the importance of regular eye exams for people at risk, including those on CCBs.
Dr. Kastner and his team are calling for more studies to better understand this link. In the meantime, anyone taking CCBs should discuss the findings with their doctor to weigh the benefits of blood pressure control against possible risks to eye health.
While the research was thorough, some authors have ties to the pharmaceutical industry, and more independent studies are needed. Still, the findings—published in JAMA Ophthalmology—provide valuable insight for both doctors and patients.
The key takeaway: if you take CCBs, stay informed, maintain open communication with your healthcare provider, and get regular eye check-ups to protect your vision.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies that changing blood pressure readings is a hidden sign of heart disease and switching blood pressure drugs may treat the condition better.
For more about blood pressure, please read studies about the arm squeeze test: could your blood pressure reading be wrong and bedtime medication more effective for high blood pressure.
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