Can amlodipine cause blurred vision? Understanding the risk and what to do

October 10, 2025 •

4 min read

While amlodipine is a widely used and effective medication, visual disturbances are listed as an uncommon side effect in some reports. For most people, side effects are mild or nonexistent, but some may experience blurred vision, especially when first starting the medication or during dosage adjustments.

Quick Summary

Amlodipine can, though uncommonly, lead to visual disturbances, including blurred vision, often as a result of low blood pressure. Other rare ocular issues, like diplopia, conjunctivitis, and a potential link to glaucoma, have also been reported. Seek immediate medical advice if visual changes or eye pain occur.

Key Points

Blurred vision is a possible side effect of amlodipine, though it is not common. It is categorized as uncommon or rare in clinical reports.
Low blood pressure (hypotension) is a key mechanism behind amlodipine-related blurred vision. A significant drop in blood pressure can reduce blood flow to the eyes.
Other visual disturbances, such as double vision (diplopia), can also occur. These are typically uncommon side effects.
Combination medications with amlodipine can present specific eye risks. Some products, like those containing hydrochlorothiazide, have warnings about eye problems that could potentially lead to vision loss.
Report any vision changes to your doctor immediately. Sudden changes or eye pain, especially within weeks of starting the drug, warrant immediate medical evaluation.
Do not stop taking amlodipine without consulting a healthcare professional. Stopping abruptly can be dangerous and cause blood pressure to rise suddenly.
Research has identified a potential link between calcium channel blockers like amlodipine and an increased risk of primary open-angle glaucoma. This is an important consideration, though the mechanism is not tied to intraocular pressure.

The Link Between Amlodipine and Blurred Vision

Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker prescribed to treat high blood pressure and angina. It works by relaxing blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily and thereby lowering blood pressure. While this mechanism is effective for cardiovascular health, it can sometimes lead to side effects in other parts of the body, including the eyes. Visual disturbances, including blurred vision, are documented but not frequent adverse reactions. The potential link to visual problems can be attributed to several mechanisms, primarily changes in blood pressure and, in rarer cases, more direct effects on ocular structures.

Hypotension as a Primary Cause

The most common reason for amlodipine-induced blurred vision is a drop in blood pressure, known as hypotension. When blood pressure falls too low, the brain and eyes may not receive enough oxygen-rich blood, leading to a temporary impairment of vision. This is most likely to occur under specific circumstances:

When first starting the medication.
After a dosage increase.
If taking other medications that also lower blood pressure.
Standing up suddenly from a sitting or lying position (orthostatic hypotension).

Symptoms of hypotension-related blurred vision are often accompanied by other signs, such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling faint.

Direct Ocular Disturbances

In addition to hypotension, amlodipine has been linked to a variety of other ocular side effects, though most are uncommon to very rare. These effects are not always directly related to blood pressure and can impact the eye in different ways. Some documented ocular side effects include:

Visual disturbances: A broad category that includes blurred vision.
Diplopia: Also known as double vision.
Abnormal visual accommodation: Difficulty with the eye's ability to focus.
Conjunctivitis: Inflammation of the conjunctiva, leading to red, irritated eyes.
Xerophthalmia: Dryness of the eyes.
Peripheral Edema around the eyes: Swelling, most commonly in the legs and ankles, can occasionally affect the area around the eyes.

Less Common and Severe Visual Side Effects

While most cases of amlodipine-related visual issues are mild and transient, there are rarer and more serious concerns to be aware of. Certain combination medications containing amlodipine, valsartan, and hydrochlorothiazide, for instance, carry a warning that they can cause eye problems that, if left untreated, could lead to lasting eyesight loss. This highlights the importance of not ignoring persistent or severe eye symptoms.

Potential Glaucoma Risk

Research has explored the link between calcium channel blockers and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). A cross-sectional study using UK Biobank data found that people using calcium channel blockers had, on average, 39% higher odds of glaucoma compared with non-users. Amlodipine, as the most commonly prescribed calcium channel blocker, was shown to increase POAG risk by 16.1% in one analysis. The mechanism appears to be independent of intraocular pressure, possibly involving effects on the vasculature of the optic nerve head. While this is a minor but significant risk, it is another important factor for consideration, particularly for individuals with a family history or other risk factors for glaucoma. Doctors may consider alternative antihypertensives like diuretics or beta-blockers for these patients.

What to Do if You Experience Blurred Vision

Experiencing a change in vision while on amlodipine requires prompt attention. Follow these steps to manage the situation safely:

Contact your doctor immediately: This is crucial, especially if the blurred vision is accompanied by eye pain or occurs within hours to weeks of starting the medication. Do not stop taking your medication on your own.
Report all symptoms: Describe your visual changes, and mention any other symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, or headache. This will help your doctor determine the underlying cause.
Adjust slowly: If the blurred vision is linked to orthostatic hypotension, practice changing positions slowly, especially when getting up.
Discuss medication review: Your healthcare provider may need to adjust your amlodipine dose, consider a different medication, or investigate whether the visual symptoms are related to another medical condition.
Consider lifestyle changes: Adopting certain lifestyle changes can help manage hypertension and potentially minimize side effects. These include adhering to the DASH diet, reducing sodium intake, and increasing physical activity.

Comparing Visual Side Effects: Amlodipine vs. Other Medications

To provide context, here is a comparison of amlodipine with other common antihypertensive drug classes regarding visual side effects.


Drug Class (Example)	Mechanism	Common Visual Side Effects	Considerations
Amlodipine (Calcium Channel Blocker)	Relaxes blood vessels.	Blurred vision, double vision, swelling around eyes (uncommon to rare).	Also associated with a slight increase in glaucoma risk in some studies.
Beta-blockers (Metoprolol)	Blocks effects of epinephrine, slowing heart rate.	Dry eyes, blurred vision (less common than amlodipine).	Dry eye can result from reduced tear production.
ACE Inhibitors (Lisinopril)	Blocks production of a vasoconstrictor.	Generally low incidence of visual side effects.	Known for causing a persistent cough in some patients, not typically visual issues.
Diuretics (Hydrochlorothiazide)	Increases urine production to reduce fluid volume.	Dry eyes due to decreased tear production.	Can cause electrolyte imbalances, but visual side effects are often related to dry eye.
ARBs (Losartan)	Blocks the effects of angiotensin II.	Very mild side effect profile, generally well-tolerated visually.	Good alternative for patients who cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors.

Conclusion

While amlodipine can cause blurred vision, it is not a common side effect and is often a result of related hypotension rather than a direct ocular effect. Other less common visual issues like diplopia and conjunctivitis are also reported. In rare cases, more serious eye problems can occur, potentially linked to glaucoma or specific combination medications. If you experience any visual disturbances while taking amlodipine, it is essential to consult your healthcare provider promptly. They can help determine the cause, adjust your treatment plan if necessary, and ensure your vision remains protected. Never stop taking your medication suddenly without professional medical advice. By staying informed and communicating openly with your doctor, you can manage your health effectively while minimizing potential side effects. For more information on amlodipine, you can consult sources like the MedlinePlus drug information website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Visual disturbances, including blurred vision, are not common side effects of amlodipine. They are listed as uncommon or rare in official reports, meaning they may affect between 0.1% and 1% of patients.

Blurred vision itself is not always serious, but it can be a sign of hypotension (low blood pressure). If it is accompanied by dizziness, fainting, or severe eye pain, it requires immediate medical attention. In rare cases, other eye problems linked to the medication can lead to lasting vision loss.

Visual disturbances may appear when you first start the medication, or after a dose increase. Some eye problems, particularly those associated with combination medications, can develop within hours to weeks of starting treatment.

You should call your doctor or healthcare provider right away. They can help determine the cause and decide on the best course of action. Do not stop taking your medication abruptly without their guidance.

Yes, if amlodipine is causing persistent or bothersome visual side effects, your doctor may suggest switching to a different type of antihypertensive. Alternatives include ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or other calcium channel blockers with a different side effect profile.

Yes, other reported ocular side effects include double vision (diplopia), conjunctivitis (red, irritated eyes), and dry eyes. Swelling around the eyes can also occur, related to the peripheral edema side effect.

Recent studies suggest a potentially significant but minor association between calcium channel blockers, including amlodipine, and an increased risk of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). The mechanism appears to be unrelated to intraocular pressure and warrants further consideration, especially for at-risk patients.