New Study Reveals Possible Protective Role of Statins Against Glaucoma - Video

Statin use is associated with a lower risk of developing glaucoma and may also be linked to slower disease progression, according to a study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness caused by damage to the optic nerve. Statins are prescribed to lower cholesterol, but may also have neuroprotective effects that could help protect nerve cells.

Researchers analysed a global health database containing records for about 165 million people. They compared more than 210,000 people who had used statins between August 2006 and August 2026 with a matched group of more than 210,000 people without recorded statin use. All participants had ophthalmological follow-up.

During five years of follow-up, 2.3% of statin users developed open-angle glaucoma, compared with 2.6% of controls. Overall, statin use was associated with a 15% lower risk of developing the disease.

The researchers also examined more than 30,000 people with glaucoma who were taking statins and compared them with almost 250,000 people with glaucoma who were not using statins.

Statin use was associated with lower risks of treatment escalation. At five years, users had a 36% lower risk of incisional glaucoma surgery, a 55% lower risk of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery and a 60% lower risk of selective laser trabeculoplasty. They also had a 12% lower risk of requiring pressure-lowering eye drops.

These associations remained after 10 years of follow-up.

However, the study was observational and cannot establish that statins prevent glaucoma or slow its progression. Researchers lacked detailed data on intraocular pressure, treatment adherence and reasons for surgery.

The findings also add to evidence suggesting possible neuroprotective effects of statins. Prospective randomised trials are needed to determine whether statin treatment can directly reduce glaucoma risk or disease progression.

REFERENCE: Forest Lin, et al.; Statin use is associated with lower risk of open-angle glaucoma incidence and treatment escalation; British Journal of Ophthalmology; 2026; doi:10.1136/bjo-2026-330339