Tag: Drug induced eye problems

The risk of developing maculopathy, a disease affecting the central part of the retina, from the drug hydroxychloroquine is under 1% after five years of use but rises to nearly 20% after 20 years [1.8.3]. This is just one example of what drugs can cause eye problems, a critical consideration for patient safety.

In the elderly, as many as 62% of dry eye cases may be linked to systemic medications [1.4.3]. This highlights a significant and often overlooked question: can drugs cause eye problems? The answer is a definitive yes, with many common prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs carrying risks.

While age is the most significant risk factor, certain medications can cause macular toxicity, with studies showing an increased risk for eye damage in long-term users of drugs like hydroxychloroquine. Several prescription drugs can lead to maculopathy, a disease of the macula, that can mimic or contribute to macular degeneration and result in permanent vision loss.