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Asymmetric anterior segment changes induced by chlorpromazine
Annals of Ophthalmology
|August 1, 1981
Summary
Long-term chlorpromazine use can cause ocular toxicity. Sunlight exposure exacerbates these changes, particularly in the conjunctiva, cornea, and lens.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Chlorpromazine is an antipsychotic medication with known ocular side effects.
- Long-term use can lead to characteristic changes in the anterior segment of the eye.
Observation:
- A patient with long-term chlorpromazine use and a unilateral Marcus-Gunn jaw-wink phenomenon allowed for comparison of ocular changes.
- One eye was relatively protected from sunlight, while the other was more exposed.
Findings:
- More severe conjunctival, corneal, and lenticular changes were observed in the sun-exposed eye.
- This suggests a photosensitizing effect of chlorpromazine on ocular tissues.
Implications:
- Chlorpromazine ocular toxicity may be potentiated by sunlight exposure.
- This interaction could involve drug-protein interactions leading to denaturation and opacification.