Conditions like dry eyes can occur because of aging, allergies or environmental changes. But many people do not realize that red, watery or itchy eyes can also occur as side effects of medications. The same is true of blurry vision. Even more importantly, dry eyes are not the only vision problems caused by medications.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, some major eye diseases can start with your daily dose of prescription or over-the-counter drugs. It is always important to notify your doctor immediately when you notice such side effects. It is generally possible for your doctor to change your dose or brand to ease your discomfort and reduce the potential for vision problems caused by medications.
 

Medications that Sometimes Cause Vision Problems

Below is a list of some common medications and the vision problems they can cause as side effects. Of course, you should never stop taking any prescription drug because of what you read online. Your doctor is your best resource for guidance and changes to your daily doses. This information is provided to help you understand some vision problems caused by medications so you can communicate openly with your doctor about the drugs you must take.

• Alpha and beta blockers can cause dry eyes, eye pain and blurred vision

• Anti-anxiety medications sometimes cause focusing problems and visual disturbances

• Antibiotics can lead to light sensitivity and double vision

• Antidepressants sometimes cause dry eyes, blurry vision, focusing issues, floaters and glaucoma

• Antihistamines can lead to dry eyes and visual disturbances

• Cholesterol medications can cause dry eyes, light sensitivity, double vision and cataracts

• Corticosteroids sometimes cause eye infections, cataracts, glaucoma or optic nerve damage

• Erectile dysfunction medications can lead to light sensitivity, blue colored vision and blurry vision

• Heart disease medications can lead to eye irritation, visual disturbances, light sensitivity and cataracts

• NSAIDS are known to sometimes cause double vision, blurry vision and light sensitivity

• Osteoporosis medications frequently lead to eye irritation, light sensitivity, conjunctivitis and blurry vision

• Seizure medications sometimes cause double vision, blurry vision or glaucoma

• Ulcer medications can lead to light sensitivity, blurry vision, double vision or glaucoma
   

Dry Eye Related Vision Problems Caused by Medications

Tears are very important to the health of your eyes. They lubricate the eye’s surface every time you blink. They help you see clearly and keep dirt and other debris out of your eyes, also preventing infections.

Many medications cause dry eyes, primarily because they make you create fewer tears. As a result, you can feel stinging, burning and aching sensations in your eyes. Hence, it is not uncommon to feel like you have something in your eye, if you suffer these effects from the prescribed or over-the-counter drugs you must take. Other side effects include blurry vision and light sensitivity.

Dry eye is a common side effect for multiple medications including:

• Antihistamines

• Antidepressants

• Diuretics

• Cholesterol lowering medications

• Beta blockers

• Birth control pills

If you experience dry eyes, it is important to first call your doctor and discuss the side effect. If you start using over-the-counter artificial tears, you can actually make the condition worse. It is important to follow your doctor’s advice to resolve the issue, instead of just trying to fix it yourself.
 

Light Sensitivity

Do you prefer wearing sunglasses in just about any weather? If you always feel the need to shield your eyes from the sun, then you may have light sensitivity. Indeed, light sensitivity is one of the common vision problems caused by medications like:

• NSAIDs

• Antibiotics

• Acne medications

• Diuretics
   

Moreover, with light sensitivity it is important to protect your vision. Try to stay out of the sun during its peak hours and wear sun-protective sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors.
 

Glaucoma

Glaucoma causes damage to the main nerve in your eyes. As a result of this damage and if you do not get proper treatment, you can lose your eyesight from this condition. Although doctors do not yet know why, corticosteroids and other medications can trigger this eye health problem.

This is why your primary care doctor may recommend you receive more frequent eye exams when using these medications for Parkinson’s disease, seizures, ulcers, hemorrhoids, depression, ulcers, asthma or arrhythmia. Because it is important to find the side effects early. You should call your ophthalmologist or schedule an eye exam if you experience severe eye pain with nausea, redness in your eye or blurry vision. Additionally, you need to talk to your primary doctor about these side effects and a possible medication change.
 

Prevent Vision Problems Caused by Medications

In conclusion, routine eye exams are definitely one of the best ways to find and prevent vision problems caused by medications. Shedule your next eye exam now at your nearest Clarity Vision location today. Our offices in North Carolina and southeastern Virginia include:

• Smithfield, NC

• Apex, NC

• Williamston, NC

• Holly Springs, NC

• Clayton, NC

• Suffolk, VA

Visit findclarityvision.com now for more information and to schedule your visit.