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# Antidepressant drugs raise glaucoma risk
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/antidepressant_drugs_raise_glaucoma_risk_1008120728/
- Published: 2012-10-08T20:27:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:09:26.000Z
- Description: A case-crossover study of 6,470 Ontario residents aged 66 and older found those who had recently taken any antidepressant were 62 percent more likely to develop acute angle-closure glaucoma. The authors urge clinicians to watch for this uncommon but serious adverse event.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Drug, Health News, #vivvo-import

By Jimmy Downs

Monday Oct 8, 2012 ([foodconsumer.org](http://www.foodconsumer.org/)) -- Taking antidepressant drugs may increase risk of acute angle-closure glaucoma in older adults, according to a new study released recently in Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology.

D.P. Seitz at Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada and colleagues conducted the study and found exposure to any antidepressant medications for any period was associated with high risk of acute angle-closure glaucoma.

Certain medications are known to increase risk of acute angle-closure glaucoma. Antidepressant medications can affect some neurotransmitters, which participate in the regulation of the iris, thus these drugs may precipitate acute angle-closure glaucoma.

For the case-crossover study, the researchers tried to associate recent short term exposure to antidepressant drugs and acute angle-closure glaucoma. Subjects aged 66 years or older were identified between 1998 and 2010 in Ontario.

A total of 6470 subjects with mean age of 74.3 years acquired glaucoma during the study period. Those who took any antidepressant drugs immediately proceding the occurance of the glucoma were 62 percent more likely to develop the glaucoma immediately after taking the medications, compared to 2 earlier control periods.

The researchers concluded "Recent exposure to antidepressant drugs is associated with an increased risk of AACG. Clinicians should remain vigilant for the development of this uncommon but potentially serious adverse event after initiating antidepressant therapy."

Acute angle-closure glaucoma is an eye condition caused by a rapid or sudden increase in pressure inside the eye. The condition leads to symptoms including severe periocular pain, photophobia, and blurred vision, according to American Academy of Ophthalmology.