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ß blockers may affect airways function in elderly patients
December 11, 2002Topical ß blockers are the most commonly prescribed drugs for glaucoma in the United Kingdom, yet a study in this week’s BMJ finds that they are associated with excess risk of airways obstruction in elderly patients.
This finding raises an issue of public health importance because of the large number of elderly patients in the United Kingdom who are treated for glaucoma.
Researchers in London identified patients with no previous diagnosis of airways obstruction. They defined exposed patients as those who had used topical ß blockers for the first time in the period 1993-7. Unexposed patients were randomly selected and matched for age and sex to exposed patients.
One year after treatment with topical ß blockers, the authors calculated that 55 patients would need to be treated to cause one case of airways obstruction during that time period.
Opthalmologists, general practitioners, physicians, and pharmacists need to be aware of the possibility of airways obstruction in patients taking topical ß blockers for glaucoma, say the authors. When eyesight cannot be threatened within their expected lifetime, many frail elderly patients may be better off left untreated than risk airways obstruction.
ß blockers should be discontinued immediately when a patient develops airways obstruction and their opthalmologist subsequently informed. A repeat prescription that includes topical ß blockers and drugs for asthma should automatically sound an alarm, they conclude.
British Medical Journal (BMJ)
One year after treatment with topical ß blockers, the authors calculated that 55 patients would need to be treated to cause one case of airways obstruction during that time period.
Opthalmologists, general practitioners, physicians, and pharmacists need to be aware of the possibility of airways obstruction in patients taking topical ß blockers for glaucoma, say the authors. When eyesight cannot be threatened within their expected lifetime, many frail elderly patients may be better off left untreated than risk airways obstruction.
ß blockers should be discontinued immediately when a patient develops airways obstruction and their opthalmologist subsequently informed. A repeat prescription that includes topical ß blockers and drugs for asthma should automatically sound an alarm, they conclude.
British Medical Journal (BMJ)
Glaucoma Current Events and Glaucoma News RSSMelatonin may save eyesight in inflammatory disease
Current research suggests that melatonin therapy may help treat uveitis, a common inflammatory eye disease. The related report by Sande et al., "Therapeutic Effect of Melatonin in Experimental Uveitis," appears in the December issue of The American Journal of Pathology.
Eye conditions linked with obstructive sleep apnea
If a good night's sleep helps the brain and body perform better, it's a good guess that sleep problems can cause more than just fatigue. Numerous studies have shown a connection between sleep disorders and medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and metabolic disorders, including the risk of obesity and diabetes mellitus. In the November issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Mayo Clinic researchers outline several interesting associations between sleep disorders and eye disease.
Vision loss more common in people with diabetes
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Medication slows progression of myopia in children
Daily treatment with a medication called pirenzepine can slow the rate of progressive myopia, or nearsightedness, in children, reports a study in the August issue of the Journal of AAPOS (American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus).
Glaucoma procedure now available at Mayo Clinic aims to prevent further eye damage
For the first time in Florida, patients with glaucoma have a new treatment option known as the Trabectome.
Case Western Reserve and Penn State investigators inhibit corneal inflammation
Researchers from the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and Penn State Hershey College of Medicine identified a novel therapeutic that reduces sterile inflammation within the cornea.
Glaucoma report points to increased costs
A new Centre for Eye Research Australia/ Access Economics report shows the cost of glaucoma will more than double in the next two decades.
'Fluorescent' cells give early warning for eye disease
Scientists at the University of Michigan have shown that their new metabolic imaging instrument can accurately detect eye disease at a very early stage.
Role identified for glaucoma gene and related signaling pathway
Researchers have found that a gene and a related signaling pathway play a role in the development of glaucoma, which is a common cause of visual impairment and blindness worldwide.
Cost of glaucoma medications may impact treatment
In the United States, the management of glaucoma costs about $2.5 billion per year. Of the $1.9 billion in direct costs, glaucoma medications account for an estimated 38% to 52% of the total.
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