A retrospective study presented at the American Glaucoma Society 2026 annual meeting suggests that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors, used for migraine prevention, may also reduce the risk of developing glaucoma. The research, which analyzed data from over 74,000 migraine patients, found that those taking CGRP inhibitors had a 25% lower risk of glaucoma compared to those not using these medications.
The study, led by Dr. John Smith of the University of California, San Francisco, used a large claims database to identify patients with migraine who were prescribed CGRP inhibitors between 2018 and 2024. After adjusting for factors like age, sex, and other health conditions, the association remained significant. However, the researchers caution that this is an observational study and does not prove causation.
Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, affecting about 80 million people. Current treatments focus on lowering intraocular pressure, but some patients continue to lose vision. CGRP is known to play a role in both migraine and ocular blood flow regulation, which may explain the potential protective effect.
Experts say the findings are promising but require further validation through prospective clinical trials. The study was funded by the National Eye Institute and has not yet been peer-reviewed for publication.
