Physician’s WeeklyNicotinamide Tied to Lower Risk for Open‑Angle Glaucoma in OHT

ℹ️ Observational Association Only Evidence

A retrospective analysis of electronic health records from 67 US healthcare organizations evaluated whether systemic nicotinamide exposure was associated with progression from ocular hypertension to primary open-angle glaucoma. Investigators also examined rates of glaucoma medication initiation and laser trabeculoplasty.

Clinical Considerations

• After propensity matching, the study included 2,920 patients with ocular hypertension.
• POAG developed in 3.5% of nicotinamide-exposed patients versus 9.0% of controls during mean 3.7-year follow-up.
• Nicotinamide exposure was associated with a 66% lower risk of POAG and lower rates of topical therapy and laser trabeculoplasty.
• Observational findings did not establish causality and require prospective validation before influencing treatment recommendations.

Practice Applications

• Interpret nicotinamide findings as hypothesis-generating observational evidence.
• Recognize ocular hypertension as an important precursor to glaucoma development.
• Monitor prospective studies evaluating nicotinamide’s neuroprotective potential.
• Avoid using retrospective associations as a substitute for established glaucoma management.