Uveitis associated with topical beta-blockers.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the incidence of uveitis associated with topical beta-blockers.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
A computerized database of a health maintenance organization was used to identify patients who were prescribed metipranolol or other beta-blockers.


METHODS
Two groups: 1928 patients using 0.3% metipranolol and 3903 patients using other beta-blockers.


METHODS
Cases of uveitis were identified by noting a prescription of a topical corticosteroid and then conducting a chart review.


RESULTS
No cases of uveitis were identified among the 5831 patients. The upper limits of the 95% confidence intervals for the incidence of uveitis in cohorts of this size are 1.87 cases per 1000 person-years of exposure for metipranolol and 1.38 for other beta-blockers.


CONCLUSIONS
Drug-induced uveitis from metipranolol or other beta-blocker administration is a rare event, even if a causal relationship exists.
Beck
R W
RW
Jaeb Center for Health Research, Tampa, USA. beck@jaeb.com
Moke
P
P
Blair
R C
RC
Nissenbaum
R
R
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D014290:Metipranolol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014605:Uveitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D014290:Metipranolol