Lack of effect of calcium channel blockers on open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of calcium channel blockers (CCB) on the clinical course of glaucoma.

METHODS

Open-angle glaucoma patients receiving oral CCB for nonophthalmic diseases were sequentially selected from the private practice of the Glaucoma Service of Wills Eye Hospital. The course of visual fields and optic discs and serial intraocular pressures were analyzed in subsequent follow-ups. The findings in these 83 cases were compared with a control group of patients with the same ocular diagnosis, but who were not on CCB. A subset of 43 cases of the study group was compared with an age-matched subset of the control group.

RESULTS

There was no apparent difference in the absolute intraocular pressure, stability/change of visual fields or optic discs when we compared patients using CCB with the control group. Among patients with the diagnosis of "low-tension glaucoma," we also could not demonstrate any statistically significant difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, neither a beneficial nor a detrimental effect of CCB on the course of the patients glaucomatous disease was apparent.