macular degeneration, macular, diagnosis Drugs with Eye Side Effects – My Macular Degeneration Journey/Journal

Drugs with Eye Side Effects

Every once in awhile I have a van ride during which I am really ‘white-knuckling’ it. Forgive me, but it is always one of the older drivers.

Those are the rides I really want to kick them out of the driver’s seat and take over myself. I believe I could do a better job!

The other week we went onto the berm on the right and crossed the double, yellow line at least once in a seven or eight mile trip. I was hoping not to get the same driver again but the next day, one guess who sat in the driveway. On this trip he started out by regaling me with a list of the near disasters he had had during the previous week. Dare I say this is NOT a way to instill confidence in your passengers?

He then went on to tell me he had discovered his medication was giving him double vision. The double yellow line was quadruple. Take your pick which one you want to stay to the right of!

The moral of the story for us could be stay away from impaired van drivers (although in truth we are often at their mercy) but right now I want to talk about drugs that affect your vision. There appears to be quite the list of medications that can really mess up your vision and some of them can actually damage your eyes.

I found a 2011 article in Review of Ophthalmology called Systemic Drugs with Ocular Side Effects. It may not be totally up to date but it seems to be a good general overview.

For example, Fosamax for osteoporosis can cause inflammation of the eye. Cyclosporine and Tacrolimus given for organ transplants can cause vision loss as a result of their effects on the sight center of the brain. Fortunately this is generally reversible. Then there is Minocycline, an acne drug, which can cause brain swelling and permanent vision loss.

So far safe? No osteoporosis or acne? How about rheumatoid arthritis? Plaquenil is a known retinal toxin with irreversible side effects. Fortunately, taken as prescribed you should have no problem but don’t overdose.

Topamax is for migraines and epilepsy. Topamax has been known to cause glaucoma.

How about pee problems? Anyone taking Flomax? There is a syndrome called floppy iris syndrome. It makes cataract surgery risks a lot higher.

Then, for you guys, there are the erectile dysfunction drugs. Viagra and Cialis both divert blood from the brain. There are all sorts of problems here. First of all there is blurred vision because this interferes with the neurotransmitters in the retina. Another problem is central serous retinopathy which is a collection of fluid in the macula.

Unfortunately the list goes on and includes blood pressure medication and over the counter herbals. There are many, many medications that you never thought would have any impact on your eyes but do.

The takeaway message for this page is tell your eye specialist everything you are taking, everything including over the counter medicines and herbal remedies. Some of your vision problems might be drug related.

written 8/29/2017

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