Antiglaucoma medication and clinical depression.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this paper is to alert the medical community to the potential risk of clinical depression following the use of antiglaucoma medication.


METHODS
The available literature concerning systemic side-effects of topical antiglaucoma medication and the association of these agents with clinical depression were reviewed. In addition, two cases are reported of the occurrence of clinical depression following use of topical betaxolol which only resolved completely after switching glaucoma medication.


CONCLUSIONS
The case reports presented here add to the increasing body of literature linking topical ophthalmic beta-adrenoceptor antagonists with depression. While these cases are uncommon, this phenomenon continues to be poorly recognized by the medical profession, psychiatrists, ophthalmologists and general practitioners alike.
Schweitzer
I
I
Department of Psychiatry, The Melbourne Clinic, University of Melbourne, 130 Church Street, Richmond, Victoria 3121, Australia. i.schweitzer@medicine.unimelb.edu.au
Maguire
K
K
Tuckwell
V
V
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000368:Aged; D015784:Betaxolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000009:adverse effects; D012008:Recurrence; D013565:Sympatholytics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D013565:Sympatholytics; D015784:Betaxolol