Drugs that can damage vision

Side effects of many drugs also include visual disturbances, higher risk of developing cataracts or permanent damage to the optic nerve. Rarely, however, do we pick out just those related to vision from the long list of side effects – we are more concerned about the effects of drugs on the heart, kidneys or intestines.

Meanwhile, even popular over-the-counter drugs can adversely affect the eyes. What kind of inconvenience can we expect?

• Ibuprofen – may be responsible for color vision deterioration (dyschromatopsia), central and paracentral darkness in the visual field, and decreased visual acuity.
• Corticosteroids – with prolonged use, they increase intraocular pressure leading to the formation of so-called post-cortisone glaucoma, and may also contribute to the formation of posterior subcapsular cataracts, usually occurring bilaterally and affecting the innermost cortical layers and leading to deterioration of visual acuity over time.
• Anticoagulants – prolonged treatment can cause subconjunctival and retinal hemorrhages.
• Amiodarone (used in ischemic disease and in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias) – is deposited in the cornea in the form of white-yellow-brown deposits, can cause photophobia and exacerbate the halo effect and dry eyes. in extreme cases, causes visual disturbances.
• Antirheumatic drugs (chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine) – cause photophobia, abnormal color vision, impaired accommodation, central gloom, narrowing of the visual field, and may cause degenerative changes in the retinal periphery.
• Antibiotics – penicillins and sulfonamides can cause allergic reactions in the conjunctiva and eyelids; metronidazole – after prolonged use, deterioration of vision, photophobia.
• Antidepressants – can cause numerous dry eye symptoms: burning, foreign body sensation in the eye, pain, photophobia.

This, of course, is not a complete list of drugs, on the leaflets of which you will find a list of ocular side effects. Note that even this short list contains a very wide range of drugs! Whenever you reach for a new drug, pay attention to what effect it has on your vision and eyes.

This is because some of the side effects may resolve when the drug is discontinued, but some may be lesions that require ophthalmologic intervention and targeted treatment.

In addition, taking medications that affect vision badly requires constant monitoring of our visual organ by a specialist and catching alarming symptoms in time.

One drug that can permanently damage vision, for example, is Ethambutol, used to treat tuberculosis. It has a toxic effect on the optic nerve, causing central and peripheral visual field loss as well as impaired color vision.

Also, chronic use of corticosteroids can permanently damage the optic nerve. On the other hand, the antidepressant Amitriptyline in high doses can cause acute glaucoma attacks.