Medication use and retinal vessel diameters.
OBJECTIVE
To study the influence of different medications on retinal vessel diameters.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Retinal photographs in the Beaver Dam Eye Study (n = 4926, aged 43 to 84 years) were digitized, and the diameters of retinal vessels were measured. Participants' current medications were recorded at the examination.


RESULTS
There were few significant associations between medication use and retinal vessel diameters. After adjusting for age, blood pressure, and other factors, participants who were using topical beta-blocker eyedrops had narrower retinal arteriolar (P = .05) and venular (P = .006) diameters than nonusers. Systemic beta-blocker was not associated with retinal vessel diameter size.


CONCLUSIONS
We found few associations between current medication use and retinal vessel diameter. Retinal vessels were narrowed in those taking antiglaucoma medications, most strikingly in those prescribed topical beta-blockers, although such a relationship could not be established among those using systemic beta-blockers.
Wong
Tien Yin
TY
Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne 3002, Victoria, Australia. twong@unimelb.edu
Knudtson
Michael D
MD
Klein
Barbara E K
BE
Klein
Ronald
R
Hubbard
Larry D
LD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000503:physiopathology*
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions