Bilateral angle-closure glaucoma secondary to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Issue 3 (May 2006)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cackett, Peter; Cameron, JR
• Is Part Of: Therapy. Volume 3:Issue 3(2006)
• Page Start: 387
• Page End: 388
• Publication Date: 2006-05
• Subjects: angle closure -- glaucoma -- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; Therapeutics -- Periodicals; Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; 615.505
• DOI: 10.2217/14750708.3.3.387
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1475-0708

Abstract

Background: Depression is a common illness with significant morbidity and mortality with antidepressants frequently being prescribed by general practitioners. Tricyclic antidepressants are well known to precipitate angle-closure glaucoma via their anticholinergic effects but more recently there have been reports of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors also giving rise to episodes of angle-closure glaucoma.Case presentation: We describe the case of a 73-year-old woman who developed an attack of bilateral angle-closure glaucoma shortly after taking her first dose of paroxetine. Presentation was delayed because the patient was unaware of the potential for paroxetine to have ophthalmic side effects.Conclusions: Hopefully, with an increased awareness of this problem, patients will present earlier with a consequent decrease in ocular morbidity.