Unveiling Drug-Induced Angle-Closure Glaucoma: Key Findings From a National Study

Angle-closure glaucoma is a serious eye condition that happens when the drainage angle in your eye becomes blocked, causing a sudden increase in eye pressure. This can lead to vision loss if not treated promptly. It can be triggered by various factors, including certain medications.

Key Findings

• Common Offenders: The study found that 611 different drugs were linked to angle-closure glaucoma. Among the top offenders were:
  • Topiramate: Used for epilepsy and migraine prevention (520 reports).
  • Citalopram: An antidepressant (69 reports).
• Significant Medications: The analysis identified 18 drugs with strong signals for causing angle-closure glaucoma. The most significant were:
  • Tropicamide: A medication used in eye exams (18 reports).
  • Acetazolamide: Used to treat glaucoma and altitude sickness (51 reports).

Notable Medications with Strong Links

• Olanzapine: An antipsychotic.
• Phentermine: A weight loss drug.
• Ranibizumab: Used for treating retinal conditions.

Importance of Awareness
This study highlights the need for healthcare providers to be aware of the potential for certain medications to cause angle-closure glaucoma. Recognizing and managing this risk is crucial for patient safety.

Conclusion
Understanding which medications can cause angle-closure glaucoma helps doctors make better choices and keep patients safe. While some drugs like topiramate and citalopram are already known risks, this study brings to light lesser-known medications that also pose a threat. Ongoing research and awareness are essential to prevent medication-induced glaucoma and protect vision health.

Here are the drugs identified in the study as being linked to angle-closure glaucoma:
 

1. Topiramate - Used for epilepsy and migraine prevention (520 reports)
2. Citalopram - Antidepressant (69 reports)
3. Levothyroxine - Thyroid hormone replacement (68 reports)
4. Escitalopram - Antidepressant (58 reports)
5. Duloxetine - Antidepressant (45 reports)
6. Salbutamol - Asthma medication (44 reports)

Medications with Positive Signals:

1. Tropicamide - Eye exam medication (18 reports)
2. Acetazolamide - Glaucoma and altitude sickness treatment (51 reports)
3. Hydrochlorothiazide - Diuretic
4. Chlorthalidone - Diuretic
5. Escitalopram - Antidepressant
6. Duloxetine - Antidepressant
7. Fluoxetine - Antidepressant
8. Venlafaxine - Antidepressant
9. Sumatriptan - Migraine treatment
10. Olanzapine - Antipsychotic
11. Quetiapine - Antipsychotic
12. Tiotropium - COPD treatment
13. Pilocarpine - Glaucoma treatment
14. Phentermine - Weight loss medication
15. Salmeterol - Asthma medication
16. Ranibizumab - Retinal disease treatment

These medications were found to have a statistically significant association with reports of angle-closure glaucoma in the FAERS database analysis.