This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Statins may lower glaucoma risk in people with hyperlipidemia
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
Statin use was associated with a reduced risk of developing open-angle glaucoma among patients with hyperlipidemia, according to a study.
“Treating hyperlipidemia with a statin plays a protective role in patients with OAG, especially in the early stages of the disease,” the study authors said.
The retrospective, longitudinal cohort analysis included 524,109 people with hyperlipidemia, of whom 316,182 had at least one outpatient prescription for statins. All study participants were at least 60 years of age.
Regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between statin use and progression of glaucoma. The main outcome measures were hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals.
The researchers found that the hazard of developing open-angle glaucoma decreased 0.3% for each additional month of statin therapy (P = .0056). After 2 years of regular statin use, the risk decreased 8% compared with patients who did not use statins.
The hazard of a glaucoma suspect diagnosis progressing to open-angle glaucoma decreased 0.4% for each additional month of statin use (P = .0062). After 2 years of regular statin use, the risk decreased 9% compared with patients who did not use statins.
The hazard of requiring glaucoma medication decreased 0.4% for every additional month of statin exposure (P = .0002). Taking statins continuously for 2 years was associated with a 10% decreased hazard for requiring IOP-lowering medication compared with no statin use within the last 2 years.
There were no significant differences in the need for glaucoma surgery associated with statin use.
“Our study shows a dose-response effect of statin exposure whereby the longer an enrollee was prescribed these medications, the greater the protective effect,” the authors said. “Given the mounting evidence of statin protection against OAG, including both basic science and observational clinical studies, an interventional prospective study might provide additional insights into the role of statins in the prevention of early OAG.”
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts