Systemic Medication and Intraocular Pressure in a British Population The EPIC-Norfolk Eye Study

ObjectiveTo determine the association between systemic medication use and intraocular pressure (IOP) in a population of older British men and women.DesignPopulation-based, cross-sectional study.ParticipantsWe included 7093 participants from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer–Norfolk Eye Study. Exclusion criteria were a history of glaucoma therapy (medical, laser, or surgical), IOP asymmetry between eyes of >5 mmHg, and missing data for any covariables. The mean age of participants was 68 years (range, 48–92) and 56% were women.MethodsWe measured IOP using the Ocular Response Analyzer. Three readings were taken per eye and the best signal value of the Goldmann-correlated IOP value considered. Participants were asked to bring all their medications and related documentation to the health examination, and these were recorded by the research nurse using an electronic case record form. The medication classes examined were angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers, α-blockers, β-blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, nitrates, statins, insulin, biguanides, sulfonylureas, aspirin, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. We examined associations between medication use and IOP using multivariable linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index. Models containing diabetic medication were further adjusted for glycosylated hemoglobin levels.Main Outcome MeasuresMean IOP of the right and left eyes.ResultsUse of systemic β-blockers (−0.92 mmHg; 95% CI, −1.19, −0.65; P