Early effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on cornea and lens density in patients with depression

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of SSRIs on cornea and lens density, intraocular pressure (IOP) and anterior chamber parameters, including anterior chamber volume (ACV), anterior chamber depth (ACD), corneal volume (CV) and central corneal thickness (CCT), in patients with depression during a three-month follow-up period. METHOD: In this prospective study, 31 total patients, who were prescribed SSRIs for depression, were recruited. Sertraline, 50 mg/daily, was given to ten patients; 11 received Escitalopram, 10 mg/daily; and ten were treated with Fluoxetine, 20 mg/daily. The parameters recorded were corneal density (CD), lens density (LD), IOP, ACV, ACD, CV and CCT at the start of treatment, as well as at one-week, one-month, and three-month follow-ups. RESULTS: The study revealed that there was no risk of cataract development from three months of SSRI intake. Significant decrease in ACD was recorded at the one-week follow up; however, after three months, this decrease was insignificant compared to the baseline. ACV, CV, CCT, CD and LD showed no significant alterations in any of the follow up examinations over the threemonth period. IOP, however, significantly fell (a P value of 0.004). CONCLUSION: In this study, SSRI use does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of cataract or glaucoma or with changes in CD and LD. Long-term follow-up is necessary to determine the actual risk of cataract or glaucoma with SSRI intake.

Antidepresan İlaçların Kornea ve Oküler Yüzey Üzerindeki Etkileri

“…Longer-term and larger population studies are needed to observe this effect. 15 Limitations of this study; the findings of patients taking antidepressants before and after treatment were not compared, due to the retrospective nature of this study, the need for research in larger populations, and longer follow-up to observe the effect. The strengths of this study are quantitative evaluation with corneal topography and specular microscopy in addition to ocular surface examination, it includes different agent subgroups, and the examination of more than one agent with similar mechanism of action.…”

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Adverse Effects: A Narrative Review

“…In contrast, Becker et al concluded that SSRI therapy does not alter the risk of cataracts [124]. Given these inconsistent findings, providers should recommend regular eye examinations for patients on SSRIs [125].…”