drug-induced eye disease

Etiology

• see drugs with adverse ocular effects
• risk factors
  • long-term use of a drug
  • higher doses of drugs
  • advanced age

Pathology

• inflammation or neuropathy of the optic nerve (optic neuritis & optic neuropathy, respectively)
• papilledema (increased intracranial pressure),
• retinopathies
• glaucoma
• cataracts
• rich blood supply & relatively small size of the eyes make them susceptible to drug-induced adverse effects
• deposition of drug in ocular tissues may occur

Management

• many of adverse effects are reversible if detected early
• regular eye exams for patients taking drugs with serious ocular adverse effects
• contact provider immediately if visual disturbances occur

More specific terms

• drugs with adverse ocular effects
• pharmaceutical herbs with adverse ocular effects

Additional terms

• drugs that require eye exam