Can Your Medications Cause Eye and Vision Side Effects?

Most of us take some type of medication at one time or another. Your doctor may have prescribed certain medications to treat a medical condition. It is also common to reach for over-the-counter drugs to ease symptoms of common conditions.

Almost all medications have some type of side effect, but can these medications affect your eyes? The answer is yes. Both prescription and over-the-counter medications can affect your eyes and your vision. Below we cover common ocular side effects and the types of medications involved. 
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Factors that may affect visual side effects

Not everyone responds the same way to medication. Some people may have significant side effects from a medication while others may have none. In addition to individual variations, there are other factors that may affect the chances of visual side effects, such as:

Dose: In many cases, the higher the dose of the medication, the greater the risk of adverse side effects.

Duration of treatment: Certain medications have a cumulative effect. Taking a medication for a long time may raise your risk of having side effects. However, in other instances, once your body adjusts to the drug, side effects may taper off.

Medical conditions. If you already have a certain eye condition, it may compound the risk of some side effects. For instance, if you have dry eyes and take a medication that may cause increased dryness, your symptoms may worsen.  
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Possible ocular effects from medications 

Various types of medications may cause certain ocular effects. Some of the possible impacts to the eyes or vision include:

Sensitivity to light: Sensitivity to light is a possible side effect of some classifications of medication. Sensitivity to light may lead to squinting, tearing, and blurred vision.
Medications that may be the culprit include:

• Antibiotics
• Acne medications
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
• Diuretics

Dry eyes: Dry eyes can cause irritation, a gritty feeling in the eyes, and redness. Medications may cause dry eyes for different reasons. For instance, beta-blockers may lead to dry eyes because they may block signals from the brain to the tear glands.

Common medications that may cause dry eyes as a side effect include:

• Antihistamines
• Decongestants
• Antidepressants
• Beta-blockers
• Drugs to lower cholesterol

Increased risk of glaucoma: According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, certain medications, such as steroids, can increase eye pressure leading to glaucoma. The exact reason why this may occur is not clear, but some medications may allow fluid to build up.

Subconjunctival hemorrhage: A subconjunctival hemorrhage involves the rupture of small blood vessels in the eyes. Medications classified as blood thinners may sometimes lead to this side effect. Medications may include:

• Warfarin
• Coumadin
• Eliquis

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What can you do? 

If your medications adversely affect your vision, it is vital to talk with your doctor. Do not stop taking medications until you speak with your healthcare provider. In some cases, switching to a different medicine that provides the same treatment may be possible. In other cases, you may be able to lower the dose.

It is also important to read your labels. Knowing which visual side effects are possibly related to a medication helps you know what to expect. You don’t want to assume a visual change or eye problem is related to medication and miss symptoms of an eye disease.

There are also other things you can do to help cope with ocular side effects of medication, such as the following:

• Wear sunglasses to help with light sensitivity.
• Use lubricating eye drops to cope with dry eyes.
• Have regular eye exams to spot problems early.
• Stay out of the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you have any questions about how your medications can affect your eyes, we are happy to help. Also, if you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.