A new study has found that calcium channel blockers (CCBs), a common class of blood pressure medication, may be linked to faster progression of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
Researchers analysed data from 7,446 patients with mild to moderate glaucoma, comparing people taking CCBs with those not using the drugs.
CCBs are now widely prescribed for conditions such as angina, hypertension, and coronary artery disease
The study found patients using dihydropyridine (dCCBs) had a 67% higher risk of progressing to severe glaucoma, while those taking non-dihydropyridine drugs (ndCCBs) faced an even greater risk.
CCBs should be recognised as a risk factor, and patients taking CCBs should be followed more frequently to identify early progression
The authors said both types of medication were associated with a significantly increased likelihood of disease progression, although they cautioned that further research is needed to understand the biological mechanisms involved.
“Although prior studies have presented inconsistent findings, our results demonstrate that both dCCB and ndCCB use are associated with approximately a two-fold increased risk of progression to severe glaucoma among patients with mild to moderate POAG,” the study authors concluded.
“These findings warrant further investigation to elucidate the underlying mechanisms linking CCB exposure to glaucoma progression.
“In addition, CCBs should be recognised as a risk factor, and patients taking CCBs should be followed more frequently to identify early progression.”
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and is commonly managed by lowering intraocular pressure to slow optic nerve damage.
Reference
- Qozat I, Abubaker Y, Dorairaj S, et al. Risk of glaucoma progression in patients using a calcium channel blocker: A propensity-matched cohort study. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2026;67(5):59. doi: 10.1167/iovs.67.5.59.
