Harmful Drugs to Your Eyes

Harmful Drugs The human body collection of tissues and organs which are intimately interconnected and mutually dependent. Therefore, the health of the eyes can influence, and can be influenced by, any and all of the other parts of the body. Because we live in this state of interconnection, when we take medications for other conditions there can be visual side effects as well.

Because some drugs increase light-sensitivty, so it is important to have and wear good sunglasses that block out 100% of the ultra-violet rays. In addition, you should maintain your daily intake of such antioxidants as vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, selenium, alpha lipoic acid and lutein. These antioxidants will help to reduce medications' possible side effects.

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

Drugs harming the retina:

Plaquenil (hydroxchloriquine sulfate), routinely prescribed by rheumatologists for rheumatoid arthritis, it can cause irreversible retinal damage.
Clonidine (brand name catapres), is a drug used to lower blood pressure
Thioridazine, is used to fights infections, it can cause pigmentary retinopathy
The whole family of NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can cause side effects that impact the eyes including cataracts, dry eyes, and retinal hemorrhages that may result from long-term use. These include ibuprofin (Advil, Motrin, Bayer, Aleve, aspirin, flurbiprofen, ketoprofen and naproxen sodium. Also Tylenol (acetaminophen), though not an NSAID, can be harmful to the eyes.

Drugs that can cause the eye to hemorrhage:

NSAIDS, including over-the-counter pain relievers
Venlafaxine, an antidepressant
Amphotericin B, an antibiotic
Cholesterase inhibitors, often prescribed to those suffering from Alzheimer's disease
Pentoxifylline, prescribed for to improve circulation
Heparin, coumadin, anisindione, and other oral anti-coagulants, prescribed to prevent blood clotting

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

NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Venlafaxine, prescribed for depression
Steroids, cortisone prescriptions such as Prednisone are the most damaging drugs to the eyes of all prescription drugs. If you must take any of these drugs, be sure to supplement your diet with antioxidants 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, prescribed for high cholesterol
Fenfluramine, prescribed for weight loss
Mirtazapine, prescribed for depression
Gastric antispasmodics, prescribed to stop muscle spasms
Antidepressants, prescribed for depression

These drugs can cause or worsen cataracts:

Photosensitizing drugs (drugs that increase your sensitivity 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. Photosensitizing drugs include:

Antihistamines
Birth control pills
Tranquilizers
Sulfa drugs
Oral anti-diabetic drugs
Antidepressants
NSAIDS (eg. aspirin, ibuprofen, advil, meclofen)
Steroids, which may contribute to cataracts. Steroids work by mimicking body's own hormones to fight inflammation and are often prescribed for such diseases as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's Disease, and lupus. Long-term steroid use can cataracts and increases in intraocular pressure in up to 50% of people who take daily doses of 10 to 15 milligrams of prednisone over a period of one to two years. Cataracts caused by steroids are very dense and can cause a rapid loss of vision. We feel that Can-C has the best chance of healing such dense cataracts.

Though not as common as the development of cataracts, another side effect of continued steroid treatment is increased intraocular pressure, which can lead to glaucoma. If one stops taking steroids regularly pressures will return to normal, but damage done by the elevated eye pressure will remain. Steroid use can cause an increase in blood sugar therefore leading to diabetes, which can then lead to diabetic retinopathy. If you must take steroids, be sure to take high doses of antioxidants such as alpha lipoic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, and lutein to help prevent cataract formation.
Glucocorticoids (Prednisone)
Fluroquinone, terbinafine, mefloquine type antibiotics
Eretinate, isoretinoin

Drugs that can lead to dry eye symptoms

Antibiotics
Blood pressure medications
Antidepressants
Antihistamines
Birth control pills
Appetite suppressants

Drugs that can cause light sensitivity

Certain antibiotics
Anti-malarial drugs
Antihistamines
Blood pressure medications
Digoxin, used for heart failure or heart irregularity
Photosensitizing drugs, see "Drugs that cause cataracts" above.

Drugs that can cause allergic conjunctivitis:

Antibiotics, topical application of prescribed antibiotics may result in allergic conjunctivitis (red eye). Oral, and intravenous antibiotics for fight bacterial infections may cause some visual symptoms. For example: 1. Synthetic penicillins (amoxicillin and ampicillin) can cause 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 has similar side effects as synthetic penicillins in addition to causing light sensitivity and blurred vision. 3. Sulfonamide ("sulfa drugs," which many people are allergic to) can induce 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 other side effects that affect the rest of the body.

Drugs that can cause blood clotting and inhibit 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 eye problems:

Blood pressure medications cause your body to excrete excess fluid and give your blood vessels a break. But, in the eyes less fluid means dry eyes, light sensitivity, possible blurred and/or double vision in some people. Beta-blockers are sometimes used to reduce high blood pressure by slowing the kidney's production of a protein called renin. Renin normally causes the release of a powerful blood vessel constrictor called angiotensin II, which makes it harder for blood to flow through the arteries (thus raising blood pressure) and also causes secretion of hormones that cause water retention (which increases the amount of fluid in the blood). Two common beta-blockers are Inderal and Tenormin.
Digoxin, used to treat heart failure or heart irregularity. Common visual side effects are color vision changes. You may experience light flashes, blind spots, and light sensitivity.
Antidepressants, which change how information is processed in the nerves in the brain. 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 you are taking Prozac be aware that these visual symptoms are normal when taking this drug. 2. Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, desipramine, imipramine, and nortriptyline) 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 have a drying effect on your eyes in the same way that they have a drying effect on your nose. Light sensitivity and dry eyes are common side effects. 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, methamphetamines, and phenmetrazine compounds) may contribute to the following visual side effects: dilated pupils, difficulty focusing the eyes, and difficulty converging the eyes when reading.
Birth Control Pills can lead to a higher incidence of migraine headaches, problems with contact lenses due to dry eyes, and color vision disturbances.

NOTE: Any drug that dilates your pupils can increase your susceptibility to narrow angle glaucoma.

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

Two classes of drugs that are overprescribed and overused are antibiotics and diuretics, both of which can disrupt the body's natural chemistry and the fluid balance of the eyes.

Note: Talk to your medical doctor before making any changes to your schedule of prescribed medications.