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[The uvea and crystalline lens: toxicity of new medications]

P Lefebvre1

  • 1Service d'Ophtalmologie, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles. pierre.lefebvre@ulb.ac.be

Bulletin De La Societe Belge D'Ophtalmologie
|August 28, 2007
PubMed

Insights

New medications can harm eye tissues, including the uvea and crystalline lens. This review examines drug-induced ocular inflammation and lens lesions, highlighting both new and older agents with potential toxicity.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Pharmacology
  • Toxicology

Context:

  • The pharmaceutical industry continuously introduces new therapeutic agents with diverse delivery methods.
  • All pharmaceutical agents possess the potential to induce ocular tissue damage.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) provides criteria for assessing the certainty of drug-adverse reaction relationships.

Purpose:

  • To review inflammatory lesions of the uvea and crystalline lens induced by currently available medications.
  • To discuss newly developed pharmacologic agents and re-evaluate older medications for ocular toxicity.
  • To update the literature on the known or suspected toxicity of certain drugs on the uvea and crystalline lens.

Summary:

  • This article systematically reviews ocular inflammatory lesions, specifically uveitis and crystalline lens damage, associated with pharmaceutical agents.
  • It examines both novel and established medications, referencing historical reports of ocular toxicity from 1972.
  • The review emphasizes the importance of recognizing and understanding drug-induced ocular side effects, particularly those affecting the uvea and lens.

Impact:

  • Provides essential information for ophthalmologists and pharmacologists regarding drug-induced ocular toxicity.
  • Contributes to patient safety by raising awareness of potential adverse reactions to medications.
  • Facilitates informed prescribing decisions by detailing the ocular risks associated with various therapeutic agents.

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