Do Statins Cause Glaucoma? Examining the Conflicting Evidence

October 11, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a 2024 UCLA study, statin users aged 60-69 with hyperlipidemia showed a significantly higher prevalence of glaucoma compared to non-users, yet other research suggests a protective effect of statins on eye health. The question of do statins cause glaucoma is more complex than it appears, with a body of contradictory evidence available for review.

Quick Summary

An analysis of the relationship between statin use and glaucoma risk reveals conflicting findings. Some observational studies indicate a possible link to increased risk, while others suggest a protective effect. Various factors, including study design and underlying patient health, contribute to the mixed results.

Key Points

Conflicting Research: Some observational studies show an association between statin use and a higher risk of glaucoma, while others indicate a protective effect, suggesting the relationship is complex and not fully understood.
Long-term vs. Short-term Effects: Certain research has found that long-term statin use (over 5 years) is associated with a reduced risk of open-angle glaucoma, whereas studies focused on shorter-term use or different demographics show different results.
Rosuvastatin vs. Other Statins: One Australian study specifically found a link between long-term rosuvastatin use and increased glaucoma risk, while other statins like atorvastatin and simvastatin were not significantly associated.
Confounding Factors: The risk of glaucoma observed in some studies may be tied to the underlying high cholesterol levels that necessitated the statin treatment, rather than the medication itself.
Neuroprotective Mechanisms: The potential protective effects of statins are thought to be related to their ability to improve blood flow to the optic nerve and reduce inflammation, suggesting a neuroprotective benefit for eye health.
Do Not Self-Adjust Medication: Due to the mixed evidence and the critical importance of statins for cardiovascular health, patients should not alter their treatment regimen without consulting their doctor.

Conflicting Evidence on Statin Use and Glaucoma Risk

The relationship between statin therapy and glaucoma risk has been a topic of scientific debate for years, with observational studies yielding conflicting results. A definitive answer to the question, "do statins cause glaucoma?" remains elusive. A review of the available evidence reveals a complex picture, with some research pointing toward a potential link to increased risk and other studies suggesting a protective effect against the disease. Understanding these contradictions requires a careful look at the research methodologies and the various confounding factors at play.

Recent observational studies have found an association between statin use and a higher prevalence of glaucoma. A 2024 analysis using the All of Us Research Program database of nearly 80,000 adults with high cholesterol indicated that statin users had a greater likelihood of having glaucoma, particularly those aged 60-69. Researchers noted that individuals on statins often had higher cholesterol levels initially, suggesting that underlying hyperlipidemia might be a key risk factor for optic nerve damage. A 2021 Australian study also linked long-term statin use to a higher risk of glaucoma onset, specifically with rosuvastatin, but not with atorvastatin or simvastatin.

In contrast, other research suggests a protective effect. A large, population-based cohort study in JAMA Ophthalmology found that long-term statin use was associated with a lower risk of developing primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). This study, following over 136,000 participants for 15 years, reported that those using statins for five years or more had a 21% lower risk of developing POAG compared to non-users. A 2016 meta-analysis in IOVS also suggested that short-term statin use was associated with a reduced incidence of glaucoma.

Potential Mechanisms Behind the Contradictory Findings

The reasons for these conflicting results are not fully understood. Proposed mechanisms for a protective role of statins include their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may help preserve optic nerve health. Statins might also improve blood flow to the optic nerve. Conversely, high cholesterol itself, which necessitates statin use, is a risk factor for glaucoma; a Harvard Health report noted a correlation between increased total cholesterol and increased glaucoma risk. Methodological differences, such as observational study designs and varying patient populations, further complicate the findings.

Statin Types and Glaucoma Risk

Different statin types may have varying effects. The 2021 Australian study indicated that rosuvastatin was associated with increased risk, while atorvastatin and simvastatin were not. Some research suggests simvastatin may protect against visual field progression in normal-tension glaucoma patients.

General Glaucoma Risk Factors

It is important to consider established glaucoma risk factors, which include:

High intraocular pressure (IOP)
Age over 60
Race (African-Americans, Hispanics, and Asians have higher risks)
Family history of glaucoma
Medical conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure
Myopia
Long-term corticosteroid eye drop use
Thin central corneal thickness

The Need for Future Research

More rigorous, prospective randomized controlled trials are needed for a definitive answer, controlling for confounding factors and establishing clearer cause-and-effect. Patients should not change their statin regimen without consulting a healthcare professional. Comprehensive eye exams can detect glaucoma early.

Comparison of Statin and Glaucoma Study Findings


Study / Source	Date	Study Type	Key Finding	Link to Glaucoma
UCLA Health News Release	Sep 2024	Observational (All of Us database)	Statin users (60-69) had significantly higher glaucoma prevalence.	Increased Risk (possibly confounded by underlying high cholesterol)
Ophthalmology Glaucoma (Tseng et al.)	Dec 2024	Observational (All of Us database)	Statin users with high cholesterol showed increased prevalence of glaucoma.	Increased Risk (possibly confounded)
British Journal of Ophthalmology (Yixiong et al.)	Aug 2021	Observational (Australian cohort)	Long-term statin use (especially rosuvastatin) linked to higher glaucoma onset risk.	Increased Risk (especially rosuvastatin)
JAMA Ophthalmology (Kang et al.)	Jun 2019	Population-based cohort	Long-term statin use (≥5 years) linked to lower risk of POAG.	Protective Effect (long-term use)
IOVS (Meta-analysis)	May 2016	Systematic review/Meta-analysis	Short-term statin use associated with reduced incidence of glaucoma.	Protective Effect (short-term)

Conclusion

The research on whether do statins cause glaucoma presents conflicting findings. Some recent observational studies suggest a potential link to increased risk, particularly in certain groups or with specific statins like rosuvastatin. Conversely, other studies, including large cohort studies, suggest a protective effect, especially with long-term use. This highlights the difficulty in separating statin effects from confounding factors like high cholesterol, differing methodologies, and patient populations. The relationship is still unclear, and further research is needed. Patients should manage established glaucoma risk factors and not stop statins without medical consultation.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

The research on whether statins cause glaucoma is contradictory. While some recent observational studies have suggested a link to increased risk, especially in specific age groups or with particular statins, other large-scale, long-term studies point toward a protective effect. No conclusive evidence exists proving a causal link.

Yes, some studies suggest a difference. A large cohort study found that taking statins for five or more years was associated with a 21% lower risk of developing primary open-angle glaucoma. Other research on short-term use also pointed to a reduced incidence, though the effect was less certain over a longer duration.

An observational study of an Australian population found that long-term rosuvastatin use was associated with an increased risk of glaucoma onset, whereas other statins like atorvastatin and simvastatin were not. This suggests potential variations based on the specific statin type.

Some studies suggest that high cholesterol levels may be an independent risk factor for glaucoma. This makes it difficult to determine whether observed links are due to the statin medication or the underlying high cholesterol condition that the statin is treating.

Yes, some researchers hypothesize a protective effect. Proposed mechanisms include improved blood flow to the optic nerve and anti-inflammatory benefits, which may help preserve eye health. Some observational data supports this, showing a lower incidence or slower progression of glaucoma in statin users.

No, you should not stop or change your statin medication without consulting your doctor. The cardiovascular benefits of statins are well-established and stopping them poses significant health risks. A healthcare provider can help evaluate your overall health profile and glaucoma risk.

The most significant risk factors include elevated intraocular pressure, age over 60, certain ethnic backgrounds (African-American, Hispanic, Asian), a family history of glaucoma, and other medical conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.