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Are you experiencing vision problems? Check Your Medication

Our eyesight is invaluable, enabling us to navigate and perceive the world around us. However, certain drugs, frequently recommended to promote health in other ways, can have unforeseen consequences on our vision. Vision alterations can range from minor blurriness to more severe disorders such as glaucoma or cataracts. Understanding which medications may damage your vision is critical for maintaining eye health while treating other medical disorders. In this comprehensive guide, we'll look at common drugs that can impair vision, probable side effects, and what you can do if you think your medication is harming your vision.

How do I determine if my medication is causing vision problems?

Before starting any medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist about the potential adverse effects. Be aware of any negative effects that may affect your eyes or vision.

For example, antihistamines, commonly used to treat seasonal allergies, can induce dry eyes. When people use them year-round or have prescription-strength antihistamines, the problem becomes more apparent. In this case, your eye doctor recommends lubricating eye drops to aid the dry eye.

Certain drugs may cause more severe visual difficulties in the future. Corticosteroids, for example, are a source of concern. Long-term use of these drugs may accelerate the development of cataracts and increase the risk of glaucoma.

Some medications can harm the visual nerve, a disease known as optic neuropathy. It is lasting damage that cannot be reversed at this time. Plaquenil and Viagra are two medicines that have the potential to cause optic nerve injury.

Understanding medication-induced visual changes

Medications can affect our vision through various processes. Some medicines influence the blood vessels in the eyes, affecting blood flow and potentially causing vision abnormalities. Others can directly affect nerve function or the delicate components within the eye. The severity of vision abnormalities might range from brief blurriness to more severe and permanent problems.

Other medications that you should be aware of with potential eye and visual problems include:

  • Celebrex
  • Mobic
  • Nydrazid
  • Myambutol
  • Cialis
  • Levitra
  • Flomax
  • Fosamax
  • Topamax
  • Absorcia
  • Accutane
  • Cordarone

Please remember that these are the medications' brand names; the generic versions' probable side effects will be the same.

Typical drugs that may impair vision
  1. Corticosteroids: Often used to treat inflammation in ailments like allergies, asthma, and arthritis, these drugs can raise the risk of glaucoma and cataracts if taken for an extended period.
  2. Decongestants and antihistamines: Although these drugs effectively treat allergies and cold symptoms, they can also make eyes dry and blurry.
  3. Tricyclic antidepressants, for example, are antidepressants that might cause impaired vision and difficulties focusing.
  4. Antipsychotics: Several antipsychotic drugs have been linked to visual abnormalities, such as difficulties focusing and moving the eyes.
  5. Antimalarial medications: Long-term usage of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, which are used to treat autoimmune illnesses like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, can harm the retina.
  6. Diuretics: These medications, which are used to treat oedema and high blood pressure, can alter blood electrolyte levels, which can impact eyesight.
  7. Drugs for erectile dysfunction: Substances such as Viagra may momentarily impair colour vision.
  8. Statin medications: Although their primary purpose is to reduce cholesterol, statins have also been linked to a small number of cases of visual issues.
  9. Isotretinoin: This drug, which is prescribed for severe acne, can cause various eye problems, including dry eyes.
  10. Parkinson's disease medications: Some medications used to treat the disease's symptoms might lead to visual problems, such as impaired vision.
Who is at the most significant risk?

Anyone using the drugs indicated above, including cortisone, may develop visual adverse effects.

"If you have glaucoma or diabetes, you should be especially cautious," advises the doctor. "Some people's eyes are configured to have a narrow-angle that puts them at risk for an acute onset of glaucoma," he said.

Sulfa (sulfonamide or sulphonamide) pharmaceuticals such as Topamax, as well as some antihistamines and incontinence medications such as Detrol or Ditropan, can cause an initial onset of glaucoma in people with narrow angles.

Cortisones are more likely to cause blurred vision in diabetics, he adds.

"With high blood sugar levels, there's temporary swelling within the eye's lens, resulting in blurred vision," he said. Poor blood sugar control can cause structural damage within the eye that can cause severe vision loss."

Possible adverse reactions and signs

Depending on the prescription and a person's susceptibility, side effects from medication-induced alterations in vision might vary considerably. Typical symptoms include the following:

  • hazy vision
  • stale eyes
  • Light Sensitivity
  • dual vision
  • Modifications in the way one perceives color
  • discomfort or pain in the eyes
  • inability to concentrate

Awareness of these signs is crucial, particularly if you've recently begun a new medicine or adjusted your dosage.

What to do if you think medication is causing vision changes

Take the following actions if you think your medicine is impairing your vision:

  1. Speak with your healthcare professional: Notify your physician of any changes in your vision or eye pain. They can review your list of medications and make any necessary modifications.
  2. Consult an ophthalmologist: An ophthalmologist can perform a thorough eye exam to assess your eyes' health and find any issues that might be drug-related.
  3. Examine your medication options: Your doctor could occasionally suggest substitute drugs that have less noticeable side effects.
  4. Control your eye health: Your doctor or an eye specialist may suggest ways to manage your eye health, such as using eye drops for dry eyes or scheduling routine eye exams to monitor changes if you must continue taking the medicine causing vision abnormalities.
Preventive actions and advice

Take into account the following precautions to reduce the chance of medication-induced vision changes:

  • Frequent ocular examinations: Regular eye exams can assist in identifying any medication-related eye problems early on.
  • Interact with Your Medical Team: Inform your doctor about everything you take, including over-the-counter and herbal supplements, as well as prescriptions.
  • Keep an eye on your symptoms: Any changes in your vision should be noted and immediately reported to your healthcare physician.
  • Wear eye protection and sunglasses outside if your medication makes your eyes more light-sensitive.
Additional strategies to preserve your vision: 
  • Ascertain the history of eye health in your family.
  • Consume a diet rich in leafy green vegetables and try to keep a healthy lifestyle. Wear safety glasses when performing tasks like painting, conducting repairs around the house, and yard maintenance.
  • Put on sunglasses to shield yourself from UV radiation. Another way to help block out the light is to wear hats with a wide brim.
  • To prevent infection, wash your hands before removing or inserting contact lenses.
  • Restrict alcohol intake or abstain from it completely. Some eye disorders can manifest even earlier in life if you are an excessive drinker.
  • Reduce the amount of time spent on screens. Many individuals watch television and use computers, phones, and tablets for several hours daily. Prolonged screen staring can result in dry eyes and eye strain, which can cause eyesight problems.
Consult your ophthalmologist if your eyesight changes.

Read the label whenever you start taking a new drug so you know of potential side effects that can impair your vision. If you are having problems with your vision, it can be related to a medication you used but are no longer taking.

Medication combinations may also be responsible for various adverse effects on the eyes.

Consult your eye doctor if you are unsure or notice any changes in your vision. The problem with your vision could be related to any medications you currently take or have taken in the past, or it could be unrelated.

If you detect any abrupt or gradual changes in your eyesight, don't put off getting your eyes examined.

Conclusion

Medication can significantly enhance our health but also hurt our vision. Maintaining your general health and the health of your eyes requires being aware of any side effects and talking to your healthcare practitioner immediately if you notice any changes in your vision. You can better manage your medical conditions while maintaining your vision by knowing which medications may influence your vision and taking preventive action. It's critical to seek medical assistance if you believe your medicine produces visual issues; doing so will preserve your eyesight and general health. 

Schedule an appointment with Casey Optical Too best optometrists in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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