Why does the optometrist need to know my medications ?

Your overall health plays a crucial role in your vision and eye health, and the medications you take are an essential part of that picture. The eyes are like any other part of the body and linked linked to the body. So changes in the body can cause changes in the eyes. 

Many medications carry side effects with them. Often these side effects may not be present initially but can present with long-term use.  Some of the common side effects include but are not limited to:

• Blurred or double vision
• Dry eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Changes in colour perception
• Increased risk of cataracts or glaucoma
• 
  

By knowing your medications, your optometrist can better identify whether your symptoms are medication related or due to other eye conditions.

 As you can see below, the medications may be prescribed for any part of the body but due to the affect they have, changes to the eyes can be present and may require monitoring or replacing medications if serious side effects occur.

Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil):

• Use: Treats rheumatic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
• Ocular Side Effect: Risk of retinal toxicity, which can lead to irreversible vision loss if not detected early. The risk increases with prolonged use

Bisphosphonates:

• Use: Manage osteoporosis.
• Ocular Side Effects: Can cause conjunctivitis, uveitis, and scleritis. While rare, these conditions may require discontinuation of the medication.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs):

• Use: Manage depression and anxiety disorders.
• Ocular Side Effect: Associated with dry eye symptoms due to their anticholinergic effects.

Tamoxifen:

• Use: Treat and prevent breast cancer.
• Ocular Side Effects: Can cause crystalline retinopathy and macular edema, affecting central vision.

Amiodarone:

• Use: Manage cardiac arrhythmias.
• Ocular Side Effect: May lead to vortex keratopathy (corneal deposits), which can cause visual disturbances

Topiramate:

• Use: Treat seizures and prevent migraines.
• Ocular Side Effect: Can induce acute angle-closure glaucoma, a serious condition requiring immediate attention.

Isotretinoin:

• Use: Severe acne treatment.
• Ocular Side Effects: Associated with dry eyes and, in some cases, corneal opacities.