title: EFFECT OF SYSTEMIC BETA-BLOCKERS, ACE INHIBITORS, AND ANGIOTENSIN RECEPTOR BLOCKERS ON DEVELOPMENT OF CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION IN PATIENTS WITH AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recent studies have suggested that the use of systemic beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers can induce regression of choroidal neovascularization in rodent models. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if these agents have a protective effect against the development of choroidal neovascularization in patients with age-related macular degeneration.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this single-center retrospective case-control study, the charts of 250 patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration were compared with those of 250 controls with dry age-related macular degeneration. Charts were reviewed for current and past use of beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers. Frequency tables were generated, and associations were examined using chi-square tests, t-tests, and multivariate logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no statistically significant difference between rates of beta-blocker use (P = 0.57), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors use (P = 0.20), or angiotensin receptor blockers use (P = 0.61) between the 2 groups. Additionally, there was no statistically significant difference between rates of use of combinations of the above drugs between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although there is growing evidence that beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers can induce regression of choroidal neovascularization in rodent models, these medications do not seem to confer a protective effect against the development of choroidal neovascularization in patients with age-related macular degeneration.
authors.affiliation: *Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, Oregon; †School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, Oregon; and ‡School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Akshay S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Travis
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Redd
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hwang
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D057135:Wet Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors