# Statins and glaucoma risk association study

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/statins-and-glaucoma-risk-association-study
> Updated: 2026-10-23T09:58:34.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 3.

A large-scale observational study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology has linked the use of statins, which are commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol, to a reduced risk of developing open-angle glaucoma.

Utilizing the TriNetX global database to analyze records from approximately 165 million individuals, researchers compared over 210,000 statin users with a matched control group of 210,000 non-users. The study found that statin users had a 15% lower risk of being diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma over a five-year period.

For patients already diagnosed with the condition, the research indicated that statin use was associated with a significantly lower need for various medical interventions. Specifically, users showed a 36% lower risk of incisional glaucoma surgery, a 55% lower risk of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), and a 60% lower risk of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT). Additionally, statin users were 11% to 12% less likely to require additional pressure-lowering eye drops.

Researchers from the University of California San Diego noted that while statins are primarily prescribed for cholesterol management, they may help prevent or delay the death of nerve cells. However, as these are medical record analyses, they cannot prove causation, and randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm if statins directly protect the optic nerve.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-23: Statins linked to reduced risk of glaucoma, study finds

A University of California San Diego study suggests statins may reduce the risk of glaucoma by 15 percent and lower the necessity for eye surgeries and laser treatments.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/statins-linked-to-reduced-risk-of-glaucoma-study-finds

### 2026-10-14: Statins linked to lower glaucoma risk and reduced need for eye surgery

A large medical records analysis suggests statins may reduce the risk of developing open-angle glaucoma by 15% and significantly lower the need for glaucoma-related surgeries and laser treatments.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/statins-linked-to-lower-glaucoma-risk-and-reduced-need-for-eye-surgery

### 2026-10-06: Statins linked to lower glaucoma risk and reduced need for surgery

A major study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology links statin use to a 15% lower risk of developing open-angle glaucoma and a reduced need for intensive eye surgeries and treatments.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/statin-use-linked-to-lower-glaucoma-risk-and-reduced-treatment-needs

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Cite as: Statins and glaucoma risk association study. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/statins-and-glaucoma-risk-association-study