Study examines association between hormonal contraceptive use and the incidence of glaucoma

In women of reproductive age who use regular hormonal contraception, there is an elevated risk of glaucoma, according to a poster presented at the American Glaucoma Society Annual Meeting.

In this retrospective cohort study with a case-control analysis, data from 2366 women aged 15-49 years with glaucoma and 9464 matched controls were collected.

Researchers found that women who regularly used hormonal contraceptives had an elevated risk of glaucoma compared to women who did not use it, with an adjusted incident rate ratio (aIRR) of 1.59 (95% CI, 1.30-1.93). Women who were currently using hormonal contraceptives were at a greater risk (aIRR of 2.38, 95% CI: 1.92-3.11); women who had previously used hormonal contraceptives had an aIRR of 1.11 (95% CI: 0.85-1.46). 

In the 2 years prior to the initial glaucoma diagnosis, the aIRR for glaucoma in women with 1-2 prescriptions and women with >4 increased from 0.82 (95% CI: 0.71-0.96) to 1.53 (95% CI: 1.31-1.78), respectively.

The authors concluded that although the demonstrated risk is low, further studies are needed to investigate the association between hormonal contraceptive use and glaucoma.

Reference
Hogden K, et al. The Association Between Hormonal Contraceptive Use and Glaucoma in Women of Reproductive Age. Presented at: 2021 AGS Annual Meeting.