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An overlooked effect of systemic anticholinergics: alteration on accommodation amplitude

Mehmet Ali Sekeroglu1, Emre Hekimoglu2, Mustafa Alpaslan Anayol1

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Ulucanlar Eye Training and Research Hospital, Ankara 06230, Turkey.

International Journal of Ophthalmology
|June 9, 2016
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Oral anticholinergic medications like solifenacin succinate, tolterodine, and oxybutynin significantly reduce accommodation amplitude in women. This effect on near vision should be considered by clinicians when prescribing these overactive bladder treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Pharmacology
  • Urology

Background:

  • Overactive bladder (OAB) is commonly treated with oral anticholinergic medications.
  • These medications, including solifenacin succinate, tolterodine, and oxybutynin hydrochloride (HCl), can have systemic side effects.
  • The impact of these anticholinergics on ocular accommodation is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of three common oral anticholinergic drugs on the amplitude of accommodation.
  • To compare the effects of solifenacin succinate, tolterodine-L-tartarate, and oxybutynin HCl on visual function.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 100 female participants, including OAB patients and healthy controls.
  • OAB patients were divided into three groups receiving solifenacin succinate (5 mg), tolterodine-L-tartarate (4 mg), or oxybutynin HCl (5 mg b.i.d) for 4 weeks.
  • Ophthalmological examinations and accommodation amplitude assessments were performed at baseline and after 4 weeks.

Main Results:

  • All three anticholinergic treatment groups demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in accommodation amplitude after 4 weeks.
  • No significant change in accommodation amplitude was observed in the healthy control group.
  • Baseline characteristics, including age and accommodation amplitude, were comparable across all groups.

Conclusions:

  • A 4-week course of oral anticholinergic treatment significantly affects accommodation amplitude.
  • Clinicians should be aware of this visual side effect to avoid both under- and overestimation of its clinical significance.
  • This finding may influence patient tolerance and therapeutic choices for OAB management.
Keywords:
accommodationanticholinergicsoveractive bladder

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