A new study has found a possible link between a common group of blood pressure medications and an increased risk of glaucoma, a serious eye condition that can lead to vision loss.
The research focused on Calcium Channel Blockers, or CCBs, which are widely prescribed to help lower blood pressure.
The study was led by Dr. Alan Kastner and his team from Moorfields Eye Hospital and University College London. They analyzed health data from over 427,000 adults in the United Kingdom, including more than 33,000 people who were taking CCBs.
After considering many factors—like the patients’ age, lifestyle habits, and other health problems—they discovered something concerning. People who were taking CCBs were more likely to have glaucoma than those who were not taking these drugs.
What makes this finding even more interesting is that the increased risk was only linked to CCBs. Other types of blood pressure medications did not show the same connection. Even more surprising, the increased risk of glaucoma was seen in people who had normal eye pressure.
That’s important because glaucoma is usually connected to high pressure in the eye, which damages the optic nerve. Seeing this risk even in people with normal eye pressure means the medication might be causing the problem in a different way.
Glaucoma is often called the ‘silent thief of sight’ because it usually doesn’t have symptoms in its early stages. By the time people notice vision problems, the damage is often permanent. That’s why regular eye exams are so important—especially for people who may be at higher risk, such as those taking CCBs.
Because so many people take CCBs for blood pressure, this research could change how doctors monitor and treat their patients. The researchers are now calling for more studies to confirm whether CCBs actually cause glaucoma and to understand how this might happen.
In the meantime, they recommend that people who are prescribed CCBs talk with their doctors and eye specialists about this new research. It might be a good idea to have more frequent eye check-ups to catch any early signs of glaucoma.
It’s also worth mentioning that some of the researchers involved in the study have connections to drug companies. While it’s unclear if these ties had any impact on the study’s results, it’s something readers should be aware of when considering the findings.
The full study was published in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology and adds to the growing body of research looking at how common medications might affect other parts of our health. For anyone concerned about eye health or taking blood pressure medicine, this research offers valuable insights and a reminder to keep up with regular health screenings.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies that new research challenges conventional blood pressure guidelines and scientists make a big breakthrough in high blood pressure treatment.
For more about blood pressure, please read studies that widely used blood pressure drug may increase eye disease risk and common blood pressure drugs linked to cognitive decline.
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