Drugs harmful to eye health

Drugs Harmful to the Eyes


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The human body is an organic unit with its tissues and organs interrelated and mutually dependent. Therefore, the health of the eyes, being the optical organ of the body, can influence, and be influenced by, any and every other organ in the body. Therefore when medications are taken for conditions of the body, they often have visual side effects.

For all drugs that make you more sensitive to light, a good pair of sunglasses is a must to be used that blocks out 100 per cent of the ultra-violet rays. In addition, you should be such taking antioxidants as
vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, selenium, alpha lipoic acid and lutein, which are important in helping reduce the possible side effects of the medications.

The following is a review of the most common medications taken in the United States and their potential effects on the eyes:

These drugs can also damage the retina:

* Plaquenil (hydroxchloriquine sulfate) is a drug
routinely prescribed by rheumatologists for rheumatoid
arthritis. It has caused irreversible retinal damage.

* Chloridine (brand name catapres) - is used to lower
blood pressure

* Thioridazine - fights infections but can cause
pigmentary retinopathy

* The whole family of NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can cause visual side effects such as cataracts, dry eyes, and retinal hemorrhages that may result from long-term use. These include
aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Bayer, Aleve), flurbiprofen, ketoprofen and naproxen sodium. Also Tylenol (acetaminophen), though not an NSAID, can be harmful.

Drugs that can cause eye hemorrhage:

* NSAIDS including over-the-counter pain relievers

* Venlafaxine - an antidepressant

* Amphotericin B - an antibiotic

* Cholesterase inhibitors - often used for Alzheimer's

* Pentoxifylline - for blood clotting

* Heparin, coumadin, anisidione, oral anti-coagulants

Drugs that can cause glaucoma and/or damage the optic
nerve:

* NSAID's

* Venlafaxine

* Steroids - cortisone prescriptions such as
Prednisone are the most damaging drugs to the eyes of
any prescription drugs. If you must take any of these
drugs, be sure to supplement your diet with
anti-oxidants such as vitamins E and C, and
beta-carotene. Ask your doctor if you can replace
Prednisone with a natural cortisone such as
hydrocortisone.

* Simvastatin

* Fenfluramine

* Mirtazapine

* Gastic antispasmodics

* Antidepressants

These drugs can cause or worsen cataracts:

Photosensitizing drugs (drugs that make you more sensitive to the sun) are drugs that absorb light energy and undergo a photochemical reaction resulting in chemical modification of tissue. They can make you
more susceptible to cataracts and macular degeneration. The following is a list of those drugs:

* Antihistamines

* Birth control pills

* Tranquilizers

* Sulfa drugs

* Oral anti-diabetic drugs

* Antidepressants

* NSAIDS (for example aspirin, ibuprofen, advil,
meclofen)

* Steroids - may produce posterior subcapsular cataracts. Steroids work by mimicking the action of the body's own hormones to help control inflammation. They are usually prescribed for diseases such as
rheumatoid arthritis, Chrone's Disease,and lupus. Long- term steroid use can cause posterior subcapsular cataracts and increases in intraocular pressure. These cataracts will develop in up to 50 per cent of people taking 10 to 15 milligrams of prednisone daily for one to two years. These cataracts are very dense and can cause a rapid loss of vision. They will not go away even after you stop the medication and will have to be surgically removed. Though not as common as cataracts,
sustained treatment of steroids can cause a rise in intraocular pressure leading to glaucoma, though after the steroid use is stopped the intraocular pressure will return to normal. The bad news is any damage done by the rise in pressure will remain. Steroid use can also indirectly damage the eye by causing an increase in blood sugar therefore causing diabetes. If you must take steroids make sure you take high doses of
anti-oxidants such as alpha lipoic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E , and lutein to help prevent cataract formation.

* Fluroquinone, terbinafine, mefloquine type antibiotics

* Glucocorticoids (Prednisone)

* Eretinate, isoretinoin

Drugs that can cause dry eye symptoms (see further down on page for more details on how each of these drugs effect the body)

* Antibiotics

* Blood pressure medications

* Antidepressants

* Antihistamines

* Birth control pills

* Appetite suppressants

Drugs that can cause light sensitivity (see further down on page for more details on how each of these drugs effect the body)

* Certain antibiotics

* Anti-malarial drugs

* Antihistamines

* Blood pressure medications

* Digoxin - is used for heart failure or heart
irregularity

* Photosensitizing drugs -see "Drugs that cause
cataracts" above.

Drugs that can cause allergic conjunctivitis:

* Antibiotics - when antibiotics are given for eye problems topically they may have the side effect of causing an allergic conjunctivitis (red eye). Systemic antibiotics taken orally, intramuscularly, or intravenously to help with bacterial infections may cause some visual symptoms. For example:
1. Synthetic penicillins (amoxicillin and ampicillin)- a person taking these may experience some mild redness of the eyes, itching and dry eyes. In rare cases they have been shown to cause hemorrhages of the blood vessels in the conjunctiva and in the retina
2. Tetracycline- similar to the above plus light sensitivity and blurred vision
3. Sulfonamides - many people are allergic to "sulfa drugs". This can cause blurred vision, light sensitivity and hemorrhages in the eye.

Note: Whenever taking antibiotics make sure you take probiotics such as acidophilus or bifidus and vitamin C to help ward off some of the side effects of the antibiotics.

Drugs that can cause blood clotting and harm the blood flow to the eyes:

* Androgen replacement with synthetic hormones

* Estrogen

Drugs that can cause changes to the cornea:

* Anti-malarial drugs including Chloroquine, quinacrine, and hydroxychloroquine can cause changes in the cornea. Symptoms such as halos around lights, glare and light sensitivity may occur. There is no
change in the person's visual acuity. Once drug therapy is stopped both subjective symptoms and objective corneal signs disappear.

Other drugs that can cause a variety of eyes problems:

* Blood pressure medications - causes your body to excrete excess fluid. What this means for your blood vessels is less fluid. But in the eyes less fluid means dry eyes, light sensitivity, possible blurred and/or double vision in some people. Some common diuretics are beta-blockers. The names of common beta-blockers are Inderal and Tenormin

* Digoxin - is used for heart failure or heart irregularity. Common visual side effects are color vision changes You may experience light flashes, blind spots and light sensitivity.

* Antidepressants - these type of medications change how information is processed in the nerves in the brain. Therefore any medication that affects neurological function can affect vision. For example:

1. Prozac- may cause dilated pupils, double vision, blurred vision and dry eyes. It can also cause eye pain, eye lid infection (blepharitis), cataracts, glaucoma, ptosis (eyelid droop) and an inflammation of
the iris (iritis). These side effects can only be avoided by discontinuing the medication, so if your taking Prozac be aware that these visual symptoms are normal when taking this drug
2. Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, desipramine,imipramine, and nortriptyline) - these drugs may cause such visual effects as loss of the
ability to focus up close, dilated pupils, double vision, and dry eyes.
3. Valium - may cause red eyes, involuntary eye twitching and some paralysis of the eye muscles.
4. Zoloft- has very few visual side effects

* Antihistamines - just as these medications have a drying effect on your nose, it does that to the eyes also. This gives you the visual symptoms of light sensitivity and dry eyes. In rare instances it may make your pupils dilate or become unequal in size. If so report this to your doctor.

* Appetite suppressants (amphetamines, dextroamphetamines, methaamphetamines, and phenmetrazine compounds) - these may give the following visual side effects: dilated pupils, difficulty focusing the eyes, difficulty converging the eyes when reading.

* Birth Control Pills - women taking birth control pills have a higher incidence of migraine headaches, problems with contact lenses due to dry eyes, and color vision disturbances.

NOTE: Any time a side effect of dilated pupils is found that can increase your susceptibility to narrow angle glaucoma

Overuse of what is considered "harmless" drugs can be harmful to the body and eyes. When these are used excessively, they can produce photosensitivity, dry eyes, corneal deposits, gastrointestinal tract damage and even cataracts.

Two other classes of drugs that are over prescribed and overused are antibiotics and diuretics, which can disrupt that natural chemistry & fluid balance of the eyes.

Note: Do not change your schedule of taking any prescribed medications before discussing this with your medical doctor first.

By Vision Works, Inc.

[www.focusnewsletter.org]

Debbie - This is a great post and valuable information. I'm printing it for reference right now.

Once one scans this list, it become apparent that most of the commonly prescribed drugs are on it...even common OTC drugs...so the message about the danger of drugs is once again brought to the forefront.

Good job, Debbie

Thanks!

Jackie

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