Ocular Adverse Effects of Antidepressants – Need for an Ophthalmic Screening and Follow up Protocol

Depression is emerging to be one of the commonest mental health disorders worldwide affecting a wide age group. The prescription of antidepressants has risen considerably in last decade with a preference for using newer antidepressants like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). There have been many published reports of Ocular side effects with Antidepressants related to Dry eye, Visual disturbance, Angle closure glaucoma and Retinal effects. There has also been a significant rise in antidepressant usage by the elderly, which is a population at risk for ocular adverse effects. Therefore, it is pertinent to understand the antidepressants from the perspective of their mechanisms of action and all possible Ocular adverse effects, and develop an Ophthalmic screening protocol and follow up for patients being put on Antidepressants. Patients should also be counselled for reporting alert signs of ocular side effects immediately. These steps may help to avert and decrease visual complications with Antidepressants.