Yes, an eye doctor will be able to check for any eye disease. Better safe than sorry!! But if your eyes check out ok, then maybe look into Just-a-Boy's idea. Here's some copy/paste of a few possibilites in that regard I found on the internet....
Antidepressants - these type of medications change how information is processed in the nerves in the brain. Therefore any medication that affects neurological function can affect vision. For example:
1. Prozac- may cause dilated pupils, double vision, blurred vision and dry eyes. It can also cause eye pain, eye lid infection (blepharitis), cataracts, glaucoma, ptosis (eyelid droop) and an inflammation of the iris (iritis). These side effects can only be avoided by discontinuing the medication, so if your taking Prozac be aware that these visual symptoms are normal when taking this drug.
2. Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, desipramine,imipramine, and nortriptyline) - these drugs may cause such visual effects as loss of the
ability to focus up close, dilated pupils, double vision, and dry eyes.
3. Valium - may cause red eyes, involuntary eye twitching and some paralysis of the eye muscles.
4. Zoloft- has very few visual side effects
The human body is an organic unit with its tissues and organs interrelated and mutually dependent. Therefore, the health of the eyes, being the optical organ of the body, can influence, and be influenced by, any and every other organ in the body. Therefore when medications are taken for conditions of the body, they often have visual side effects.
For all drugs that make you more sensitive to light, a good pair of sunglasses is a must to be used that blocks out 100 per cent of the ultra-violet rays. In addition, you should be such taking antioxidants as
vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, selenium, alpha lipoic acid and lutein, which are important in helping reduce the possible side effects of the medications.
The following is a review of the most common medications taken in the United States and their potential effects on the eyes:
These drugs can also damage the retina:
* Plaquenil (hydroxchloriquine sulfate) is a drug
routinely prescribed by rheumatologists for rheumatoid
arthritis. It has caused irreversible retinal damage.
* Chloridine (brand name catapres) - is used to lower
blood pressure
* Thioridazine - fights infections but can cause
pigmentary retinopathy
* The whole family of NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can cause visual side effects such as cataracts, dry eyes, and retinal hemorrhages that may result from long-term use. These include
aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Bayer, Aleve), flurbiprofen, ketoprofen and naproxen sodium. Also Tylenol (acetaminophen), though not an NSAID, can be harmful.
Drugs that can cause eye hemorrhage:
* NSAIDS including over-the-counter pain relievers
* Venlafaxine - an antidepressant
* Amphotericin B - an antibiotic
* Cholesterase inhibitors - often used for Alzheimer's
* Pentoxifylline - for blood clotting
* Heparin, coumadin, anisidione, oral anti-coagulants
Drugs that can cause glaucoma and/or damage the optic
nerve:
* NSAID's
* Venlafaxine
* Steroids - cortisone prescriptions such as
Prednisone are the most damaging drugs to the eyes of
any prescription drugs. If you must take any of these
drugs, be sure to supplement your diet with
anti-oxidants such as vitamins E and C, and
beta-carotene. Ask your doctor if you can replace
Prednisone with a natural cortisone such as
hydrocortisone.
* Simvastatin
* Fenfluramine
* Mirtazapine
* Gastic antispasmodics
* Antidepressants
These drugs can cause or worsen cataracts:
Photosensitizing drugs (drugs that make you more sensitive to the sun) are drugs that absorb light energy and undergo a photochemical reaction resulting in chemical modification of tissue. They can make you
more susceptible to cataracts and macular degeneration. The following is a list of those drugs:
* Antihistamines
* Birth control pills
* Tranquilizers
* Sulfa drugs
* Oral anti-diabetic drugs
* Antidepressants
* NSAIDS (for example aspirin, ibuprofen, advil,
meclofen)
* Steroids - may produce posterior subcapsular cataracts. Steroids work by mimicking the action of the body's own hormones to help control inflammation. They are usually prescribed for diseases such as
rheumatoid arthritis, Chrone's Disease,and lupus. Long- term steroid use can cause posterior subcapsular cataracts and increases in intraocular pressure. These cataracts will develop in up to 50 per cent of people taking 10 to 15 milligrams of prednisone daily for one to two years. These cataracts are very dense and can cause a rapid loss of vision. They will not go away even after you stop the medication and will have to be surgically removed. Though not as common as cataracts,
sustained treatment of steroids can cause a rise in intraocular pressure leading to glaucoma, though after the steroid use is stopped the intraocular pressure will return to normal. The bad news is any damage done by the rise in pressure will remain. Steroid use can also indirectly damage the eye by causing an increase in blood sugar therefore causing diabetes. If you must take steroids make sure you take high doses of anti-oxidants such as alpha lipoic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E , and lutein to help prevent cataract formation.
* Fluroquinone, terbinafine, mefloquine type antibiotics
* Glucocorticoids (Prednisone)
* Eretinate, isoretinoin
double vision
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