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Each drug, which is sold freely or using a doctor's prescription, has its own usage and dosage rules. Why? The rules for use are made in such a way and must be obeyed by everyone who uses them for the drug to work effectively. In addition, obeying the rules for using drugs also avoids you from the risk of side effects that actually turn detrimental to health. Here are four types of drugs whose side effects can damage the nerves of the eye if used carelessly.

Medicines that can damage the eyes if used carelessly

Each of the drugs below is specifically designed to treat a specific disease or health problem, and has been proven to be safe. However, how to use it wrong or carelessly can harm eye health.

1. Malaria medicine

Malaria drugs such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine can cause damage to the nerve lining of the eye (retina) if taken more than the maximum dose limit a day.

The total intake of chloroquine doses of more than 300 grams per day can poison the retina. Fortunately, at this time chloroquine is rarely used because there are other types of malaria drugs that are safer and more effective.

Another case with hydroxychloroquine which is still commonly used to treat malaria. So if you are prescribed this drug, pay attention and obey the rules of use and dosage.

The risk of retinal damage due to the use of hydroxychloroquine can increase dramatically if the total dose in the body exceeds 1000 grams, or if the dose exceeds 6.5 mg / kg / day.

Symptoms that can be felt can include a sharp decrease in vision or the appearance of black spots / patches in the visual area.

Before the doctor prescribes this you will usually be advised to do an examination of sharp vision, visual field, and the ability to see colors.

2. Antiesterogen

The side effects of antiestrogen drugs such as tamoxifen to treat cancer are rare to the point that they can damage the eye. Especially if the dosage of the drug is still in a tolerable dose, namely 20-40 mg per day.

However, giving high doses that exceed 180 mg per day for one year can cause retinopathy. Symptoms include a mild degree of blurred vision.

Meanwhile, in some cases, there is inflammation of the nerve trunk of the eye, which causes serious blurred vision. Inflammation of the nerve trusses in the eye can also cause a decrease in the ability to distinguish colors, and pain in the area behind the eyes.

Stopping the drug can stop the inflammatory process, but it must be with the permission and under the supervision of a doctor.

3. TB drugs

Ethambutol is a TB (tuberculosis) drug that most often damages the nerve trunk of the eye if the dose exceeds 35 mg / kg body weight. Eye damage is usually felt after 3-6 months of treatment.

Symptoms that arise include blurred vision in both eyes without pain and color vision problems.

Stopping the drug dose can cure most visual acuity and color vision disorders. However, for that you must first discuss with your doctor. Only a doctor can and has the right to stop your dose of medication after considering a variety of factors.

Ishihara's color blindness test and routine visual acuity checks before and during treatment can help detect damage early.

4. Epilepsy drugs

Epilepsy (anti-seizure) drugs such as vigabatrin can irritate the nerve trunks of the eye, but rarely reduce visual acuity.

Eye problems that occur in about one third of users of this drug are visual field disorders (reduced visual area). Visual field disturbances that are experienced can be in the form of narrowing of the entire visual area or only in the nasal area.

Unfortunately, stopping drug use will not restore damaged visual fields. Routine visual field inspections every 3-6 months are the only way to prevent widespread damage.