Alpha Agonists in Glaucoma Patients may Increase the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease.

 From Review of Optometry:

Researchers in Taiwan designed a nationwide large study to investigate the association between

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and different classes of topical glaucoma medications. They determined that using topical alpha-2 adrenergic agonists should be undertaken judiciously, especially in middle-aged and older populations. Their findings also indicated glaucoma may increase the risk of AD regardless of glaucoma subtype.

“Our observations indicating that alpha-2 adrenergic agonists potentially confer an increased risk of developing AD when compared to beta-blockers 

Irrespective of the type of glaucoma, individuals with glaucoma had a significantly higher risk of AD compared with those without glaucoma.

“Eyecare practitioners and neurologists need to be aware of the potentially higher risk of AD development associated with alpha-2 adrenergic agonists compared with beta-blockers among glaucoma patients,” they concluded in their paper for the journal.