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Blood pressure

Lower Blood Pressure Linked to Faster Glaucoma Progression in New Study

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A recent study on glaucoma published in the journal Ophthalmology Glaucoma has revealed that lower blood pressure is associated with faster progression of glaucomatous visual field loss. Researchers at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine conducted a prospective cohort study involving 124 eyes of 63 subjects with glaucoma or suspected glaucoma. The study found that each 10mmHg lower in 24-hour average systolic blood pressure was associated with -0.119 dB/year faster rates of mean sensitivity loss in the central region.

The study, led by Richard Donkor, examined the effect of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements on the rates of change in central and peripheral visual field loss. The researchers used 24-2C standard automated perimetry every 4 months for up to 48 months to measure visual field loss. The study found that lower baseline 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements were significantly associated with faster rates of visual field progression in both central and peripheral regions.

Notably, eyes of subjects within the lowest tertile of average 24-hour systolic blood pressure (100-116 mmHg) had significantly faster rates of central visual field loss compared to those in the highest tertile (125-168 mmHg). The study suggests that blood pressure may be a predictor for severe glaucomatous progression.

Key Takeaways:

  • 124 eyes of 63 subjects with glaucoma or suspected glaucoma were studied over 27.4±6.4 months of follow-up.
  • Each 10mmHg lower in 24-hour average systolic blood pressure was associated with -0.119 dB/year faster rates of mean sensitivity loss in the central region (P=0.021).
  • Lower baseline 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements were significantly associated with faster rates of visual field progression in both central and peripheral regions (P<0.05).
  • Eyes of subjects within the lowest tertile of average 24-hour systolic blood pressure (100-116 mmHg) had significantly faster rates of central visual field loss compared to those in the highest tertile (125-168 mmHg; difference between tertiles 0.06 dB/year faster; P=0.045).
  • The study suggests that blood pressure may be a predictor for severe glaucomatous progression.

Statistics:

  • 124 eyes of 63 subjects with glaucoma or suspected glaucoma were studied.
  • The median rate of global mean deviation change was 0.23 dB/year (range -1.00 to 0.94 dB/year).
  • Each 10mmHg lower in 24-hour average systolic blood pressure was associated with -0.119 dB/year faster rates of mean sensitivity loss in the central region.
  • Lower baseline 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements were significantly associated with faster rates of visual field progression in both central and peripheral regions (P<0.05).

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Studies from University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Have Provided New Data on Glaucoma (The Effect of 24-Hour Blood Pressure on Rates of Central and Peripheral Glaucomatous Visual Field Progression). Health & Medicine Week. October 31, 2025; p 7648.
  • Donkor, R., Jammal, A. A., & Greenfield, D. S. (2025). The Effect of 24-Hour Blood Pressure on Rates of Central and Peripheral Glaucomatous Visual Field Progression. Ophthalmology Glaucoma, 2025.

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