Amitriptyline is a medication used for treating depression as well as certain pain syndromes. Any medication can cause a number of side effects on the body, and these are listed in many places including the leaflet in the medication package.
I will focus on its side effects on the eyes.
These are mainly due to amitriptyline's 'anticholinergic' effects. Impulses are transmitted from nerve to nerve and nerve to other organs with chemicals like acetylcholine, and certain drugs can partially block this process.
With the eye, the anticholinergic effects can include:
- Intermittent blurring from focusing/accommodative issues,
- Mild pupil dilation, and
- In very rare cases an increase of the pressure in the eye. The risk of a pressure rise is related to the narrowness of the anterior chamber angle of the eye
The absence of glaucoma is not particularly relevant since an eye with narrow angles does not necessarily have glaucoma.
Another fairly common side effect is dryness of the eyes, but this is usually easily remedied with some artificial teardrops.
Bear in mind that drug side effects do not affect the majority of patients who use them. However, if they are particularly bothersome, do let your doctor know so that dosages can be adjusted or alternative medicines tried instead.
