A review of psychotropic medications and the glaucomas

Four general groups of psychotropic drugs are examined with respect to possible adverse effects upon intraocular pressure. After a brief discussion of the various mechanisms of the glaucomas, both general and specific information is provided and discussed concerning antipsychotic, antidepressant, antiparkinsonian and antianxiety preparations of a variety of chemical structures and utilities. The consensus of the authors is that with certain basic safeguards virtually all of the medications studied are acceptably safe to prescribe even in patients with diagnosed glaucoma.