Download course description. - Opticians Association of Ohio

Ocular Side Effects of Medications and Diseases
Many systemic medicines may yield several undesirable ocular side
effects. Generally, such ocular side effects may include acuity changes, dry
eye complaints, and even signs of actual tissue alteration and damage. Any
unexpected, sight-threatening or intolerable visual or ocular side effect
must be reported to the prescribing physician immediately. This lecture
reviews the most common systemic medications and discusses their ocular
side effects. Opticians should be able to understand how disease and
medications can have an effect on their patient’s visual outcome.
1. Causes of Ocular Side Effects—10 Minutes
A. At least 70 classes of systemic drugs have been associated with
ocular side effects.
B. Though adverse ocular reactions may be caused by a single
factor, there are usually several influences that contribute to
undesired complications
C. Systemic medications may incite an exaggerated immune
response within eye tissue
D. Pharmacological toxicity may also occur, leading to cell death and
loss of function. Such adverse drug reactions may occur within the
optic nerve, causing optic neuropathy, and even optic atrophy
E. even a single dose of a medication in some individuals may cause
serious cellular disruption and death. One example is the
occurrence of Stevens-Johnson syndrome following a single dose
of a sulfon-amide in an immune-sensitive individual.2 Such
vulnerability cannot be predicted with modern technology.
2. Systemic Hypertension Drugs- 5 minutes
A. Systemic Hypertension Drugs
B.
3. Drugs for Cholesterol Control-5 minutes
A. Statins
1.
Lipitor
2.
Niacin
4. Cardiac and Vascular Drugs- 5 minutes
A. Anti-angina medications
B. Cardizem
C. Anticoagulants
D. Anti-arrhythmias
5. Pulmonary Disease Drugs- 5 minutes
A. Beta 2
B. Steroids
C. Mast Cell Stablizers
D. Tuberculosis (TB) medications
6. Rheumatological Drugs- 5 minutes
A. NSAIDs
B. Indocin
C. Biophosphates
7. Genitourinary Medications- 5 minutes
A. HRT
B. Prostate Therapy
C. Erectile dysfunction (ED)
8. Psychogenic Medications- 5 minutes
A..Depression
B.Panic Disorders
C. Schizophrenia
D. OCD
9. Other Drug Categories- 5 minutes
Learning Objectives
Understand that some medications can cause ocular side effects
Recognize ocular side effects vs problems with eyeglasses and contacts
Understand how systematic