Adverse effects to topical/systemic medication

Question 1

list 19 drugs that can cause an adverse reaction to the eyes

Answer 1

• accutane
• amiodarone
• avandia
• contraceptives
• warfarin
• digoxin
• fosamax
• interferons
• levothyroxine
• lipitor (statin)
• hydroxychloroquine
• steroids
• antidepressants
• tamoxifen
• vigabratin
• tamoxifen
• amlodipine
• lisinopril
• doxazosin

Question 2

what is accutane used for and what are the 3 side effects

Answer 2

a retinoid form or vit A to treat psoriasis, cystic acne and other skin conditions

• optic neuritis
• dry eye
• reduced night vision

Question 3

what is amiodarone used for and what are the 3 side effects

Answer 3

cardiac arrhythmia

• whorl keratophathy - corneal microdeposits
• optic neuropathy
• photophobia/haloes around lights

Question 4

what is avandia used for and what is it’s side effect

Answer 4

diabetes, causing an increased sensitivity to insulin

macular oedema

Question 5

what are contraceptives and what are the 2 side effects

Answer 5

pregnancy prevention

• optic neuritis
• dry eyes

Question 6

what is warfarin and what is it’s side effect

Answer 6

warfarin

• subconjunctival haemorrhage

Question 7

what is digoxin used for and what are the 3 side effects

Answer 7

congestive heart failure

• red-green colour defects
• flickering or flashes of light
• hazy, dimming of vision

Question 8

what is fosamax used for and what are the 4 side effects

Answer 8

osteoporosis

• blurred vision
• hyperaemia
• anterior uveitis
• episcleritis/scleritis

Question 9

what are interferons used to treat and what are the 5 side effects

Answer 9

hepatitis and MS

• ocular pain
• conjunctivitis
• cotton wool spots
• optic neuritis
• dry eye

Question 10

what is levothyroxine used for and what are the 3 side effects

Answer 10

replaces thyroxine that’s not produced by the thyroid

• diplopia
• ptosis
• paralysis of EOMs

Question 11

what is Lipitor (statin) used for and what is it’s side effect

Answer 11

hyperlipidaemia

• pseudo-cystoid macular oedema

Question 12

what is hydroxychloroquine used for and what are the 5 side effects

Answer 12

malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematous

• bulls eye maculopathy
• retinal and macular changes
• corneal deposits - vortex keratopathy
• narrowing of vessels
• reduction in vision

Question 13

what are steroids used for and name 3 side effects

Answer 13

lupus, rheumatoid arthritis

• PSC
• increased IOP
• corneal/scleral thinning

Question 14

list 7 side effects of antidepressants

Answer 14

• dry eye
• blurred vision
• mydriasis
• photophobia
• diplopia
• ptosis
• conjunctivitis

Question 15

what is tamoxifen used for and what are the 5 side effects

Answer 15

breast cancer

• crystalline retinopathy (tamoxifen retinopathy)
• bilateral superficial maculopathy
• tritan colour defects
• central scotoma
• vortex keratopathy

Question 16

what is vigabatrin used for and what are the 4 side effects

Answer 16

epilepsy

• VF defects: bilateral and peripheral defects
• colour vision defect
• contrast sensitivity
• VA can be affected

px is usually asymptomatic

Question 17

what is amlodipine used for and what are the 5 side effects

Answer 17

increased blood pressure

• abnormal vision
• conjunctivitis
• eye pain
• abnormal accommodation
• dry eye

less than 1% present with these

Question 18

what is lisinopril used for and what are the 3 side effects

Answer 18

hypertension

• vision loss
• double vision
• blurred vission

Question 19

what does doxazosin do and what side effect does it cause

Answer 19

relaxes blood vessels

• floppy eye syndrome in those undergoing cataract surgery