Common Drugs That Can Worsen Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve. This damage is mainly caused by high eye pressure and is a major cause of blindness globally. Effective management of glaucoma is crucial and involves monitoring factors that may exacerbate the condition, including specific medications. For patients with narrow-angle or angle-closure glaucoma, some drugs can raise eye pressure. This can lead to sudden glaucoma attacks, which are very risky.

If you have glaucoma, it’s important to know how different medications can affect your condition. This includes both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Always talk to your eye doctor or primary care doctor before starting or stopping any medication. This is important if you have a history of glaucoma.

How Medications Can Affect Glaucoma

Some medications can raise eye pressure or shift the iris, which narrows the drainage angle and traps fluid in the eye. For individuals with narrow-angle glaucoma, this can lead to an acute angle-closure attack, a medical emergency. Even in open-angle glaucoma, where the drainage angle stays open, certain drugs may increase eye pressure over time, speeding up optic nerve damage.

It’s essential to be proactive about sharing your medical history, including glaucoma, with your healthcare providers to avoid any potentially harmful interactions.

Medications to Watch Out For

While not every medication is dangerous for glaucoma patients, some are known to have adverse effects. The following is a list of medications that may pose risks for individuals with glaucoma:

• Antihistamines and Decongestants: These are often in allergy and cold medicines like Benadryl and DayQuil. They can cause pupil dilation which may narrow the drainage angle and raise eye pressure.
• Corticosteroids: Prolonged use of oral, inhaled, or topical steroids can increase eye pressure, particularly in individuals who are predisposed to developing steroid-induced glaucoma.
• Anticholinergic Medications: These drugs are often used for overactive bladder, depression, and Parkinson’s disease. They can worsen angle-closure glaucoma by making the pupils larger.
• Tricyclic Antidepressants: These medications may have anticholinergic effects that raise the risk of angle-closure glaucoma.
• Medications for Motion Sickness: Drugs like scopolamine can exacerbate angle-closure glaucoma by narrowing the drainage angle.

Tips for Managing Medications with Glaucoma

If you’re living with glaucoma, here are some steps to help manage your condition safely:

1. Stay Informed: Know your type of glaucoma—open-angle or angle-closure—as the risks differ between the two.
2. Consult Your Doctors: Always notify your eye doctor and primary care physician about your glaucoma diagnosis. This ensures they consider your eye health when prescribing medications.
3. Read Labels Carefully: Over-the-counter medications often list glaucoma as a warning. Always check the label before use.
4. Seek Alternatives: If a medication poses risks, ask your doctor about alternative treatments that are safer for glaucoma patients.

Conclusion

Managing glaucoma goes beyond regular eye exams and using prescribed eye drops. It requires being aware of medications that may worsen your condition. By knowing which drugs to avoid and talking openly with your healthcare team, you can better protect your vision and eye health.

If you are concerned about your medications and glaucoma, schedule an appointment with a SightMD specialist today. We’re here to help you navigate your treatment options and safeguard your eyesight.