A matched cohort study has found presbyopia patients treated with topical pilocarpine were at increased risk of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) when compared with those who received artificial tears.
The greater risk was seen in patients with existing RRD risk factors.1
Patients were propensity score-matched for baseline characteristics such as demographics and systemic comorbidities, as well as known risk factors for RRD.
The study found pilocarpine use was associated with a 3.14-fold increased risk of RRD. Study authors concluded patients starting pilocarpine drops for presbyopia – especially those with other known risk factors for retinal detachment – should be advised of the heightened risk.
Reference
- Elhusseiny AM, Chauhan MZ, Sallam AB, et al. Using real-world data to assess the association of retinal detachment with topical pilocarpine use, Am J Ophthalmol, 2025; 271,1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2024.10.035.
