Primary Open Angle Glaucoma is the most
common type of glaucoma and is generally treated by eye drops, laser treatment
and/or surgery to help reduce the eye pressure or intraocular pressure (IOP).
Certain systemic medications that you take for anxiety or depression that are
in the class called “SSRI,” such as Zoloft, Prozac, Celexa and Paxil, or blood
pressure medications in the class called “calcium channel blockers,” such as
Norvasc, Cadizem, Procardia and Calan may be associated with your glaucoma
risk. SSRIs are
strongly associated with a reduced risk of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma whereas
calcium channel blockers were strongly associated with an increased risk.
According to researchers reporting in Ophthalmology, the official journal of
the American Academy of Ophthalmology, this is important and useful information
to us as we assess your risk of glaucoma, but is helpful to researchers seeking
new medications for the treatment of glaucoma as it might indicate novel approaches
with medications used for other systemic diseases.
If
you or someone you know would like to learn more about glaucoma risk and
systemic medications or schedule a glaucoma eye exam, please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care
& Surgery Center,
Google+
or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.
The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located at 592 Springfield
Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey
07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout
central and northern New Jersey.
