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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
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Glaucoma-inducing Procedure in an In Vivo Rat Model and Whole-mount Retina Preparation
Published on: March 12, 2016
Medications and Supplements Associated With Drug-Induced Glaucoma.
Tarek Hammadieh1, Ali Istanaksai2, Khaled Jama3
1Medicine, Epsom Hospital, Epsom, GBR.
Cureus
|July 10, 2026
Summary
Glaucoma, a leading cause of vision loss, can be worsened by common medications. This review details how corticosteroids may cause open-angle glaucoma and other drugs can trigger acute angle-closure glaucoma.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacology
- Optometry
Background:
- Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, often due to increased intraocular pressure (IOP).
- Two main types exist: open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and acute angle-closure glaucoma (AACG).
- Systemic medications for chronic conditions can cause ocular side effects, including glaucoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of systemic medications on glaucoma development.
- To specifically examine corticosteroids' effect on OAG and other drug classes' effects on AACG.
Main Methods:
- Narrative review of existing literature.
- Focus on mechanisms of drug-induced glaucoma.
Main Results:
- Corticosteroids can increase resistance to aqueous humor outflow in the trabecular meshwork (TM), contributing to OAG.
- Sulfonamides, anticholinergics, antidepressants, cholinergics, anticoagulants, and supplements may induce AACG via sympathomimetic effects or lens-iris structure disruption.
Conclusions:
- Systemic medications represent a significant risk factor for developing both OAG and AACG.
- Understanding these drug effects is crucial for managing glaucoma and preventing vision loss.
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