Yes. Many medications affect the eyes, usually in mild and temporary ways such as dry eyes or blurred vision. A smaller number can cause serious problems, including glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal damage. Never stop a prescribed medicine on your own. Instead, tell both your prescribing doctor and your eye doctor what you take, and get any recommended eye screening.
Mild Effects: Dryness and Blur
Most medication-related vision changes are minor. GoodRx notes that some medications cause side effects that affect the eyes, from mild dryness to severe inflammation, and that some affect vision indirectly. Blood pressure medicines and mood-related medicines can cause blurry vision, per its overview of medications and eye problems.
If your vision changes soon after starting a new drug, make a note of the timing and call your doctor. Our guide to dry eyes as you age covers one of the most common medication-related complaints.
Corticosteroids: Cataracts and Glaucoma
Steroids are among the best-known culprits. The Community Eye Health Journal reports that long-term corticosteroid use can lead to posterior subcapsular cataract, which affects vision early, and that steroids can cause secondary glaucoma. It also notes that corticosteroids can cause central serous retinopathy in some patients, per its article on the impact of oral and systemic medications on the eye.
Public Citizen adds that these adverse effects occur with all forms of corticosteroids, including those taken by injection or inhalation, or applied topically. If you use steroids long term, ask how often your eyes should be checked. Our guide to cataracts explains what to watch for.
Hydroxychloroquine and the Retina
Hydroxychloroquine, used for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, can damage the retina. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends keeping the daily dose at or below 5.0 mg per kilogram of real weight, a baseline eye exam in the first year, and annual screening starting after five years of use, or sooner if risk factors are present, per an EyeNews summary of the guidelines.
The Academy’s 2025 revision keeps that dose limit and advises annual screening with OCT and fundus autofluorescence, which may be deferred during the first five years if there are no significant risk factors, according to MedNet. The goal is to catch changes early, because The Rheumatologist notes that retinopathy caused by these drugs is not treatable.
Prostate Medications and Cataract Surgery
Tamsulosin (Flomax) and similar drugs matter if you need cataract surgery. AARP explains that they can cause floppy iris syndrome, which raises the risk of iris damage during surgery. Stopping the drug before surgery does not help, but surgeons can take extra steps to protect the iris, per AARP’s guide.
The takeaway is simple: tell your eye surgeon if you take or have ever taken these medicines.
Angle-Closure Glaucoma From Certain Drugs
Some medications can trigger a sudden spike in eye pressure in people with narrow drainage angles. The Community Eye Health Journal says antihistamines, beta blockers, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and some diuretics can cause angle-closure glaucoma in patients with shallow anterior chambers, and that topiramate, used for epilepsy, can cause very high intraocular pressure.
AARP advises going to the emergency room right away if you have symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma, which include sudden eye pain, redness, and decreased vision. Our guide to glaucoma versus cataracts versus AMD explains how glaucoma types differ.
Heart Rhythm Drugs and the Cornea
Amiodarone, used for irregular heartbeats, can leave deposits on the cornea. Public Citizen notes that these deposits can be reversed by reducing the dose. Rarely, amiodarone has also been linked to optic neuropathy, according to a review in Australian Prescriber.
If you take amiodarone and notice halos or blurry vision, tell your doctor. Do not adjust the dose yourself.
How to Protect Your Eyes From Drug Effects
Keep an up-to-date list of every medication, including drops, inhalers, creams, and supplements, and share it at each eye exam. Ask your prescriber whether a drug has known eye effects and whether you need monitoring. Public Citizen recommends reading your medication labels and having the specific eye exams your doctor recommends even if your vision seems fine.
Most importantly, do not stop a medicine on your own. Untreated conditions can be far more dangerous than a side effect that can be managed. Our guide to eye exams as you age explains what a full exam covers.
