MEDICATIONS THAT HAVE OCULAR SIDE EFFECTS 
With the continuous development of drugs to treat various conditions and disease of the body, each drug also carries with it unwanted side effects or adverse effects. These side effects manifest themselves in different parts of the body including the eye.
Steroids such as prednisone are commonly used in the treatment of asthma, skin allergy and in transplant patients. Chronic use of steroids can cause cataracts and increase in intraocular pressure (glaucoma).
posterior subcapsular
cataract caused by prednisone
Tuberculosis or TB is a widespread disease in the Philippines. Ethambutol is one of the drugs used to treat TB. Ethambutol, however, can damage the optic nerve causing optic neuropathy and blindness.
Chloroquine (Aralen) and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) are drugs used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Chronic use of these drugs can cause damage to the central retina (macula) known as ‘bull’s eye maculopathy’. This results in poor central vision and reduced color vision.
“Optic Atrophy”
caused ethambutol (A)
at “Bull’s Eye Maculopathy”
caused by chloroquine (B)