Is there any known connection between amitriptyline and short-sightedness?

[nicz0906]

Hi everyone

About a year ago, I started taking amitriptyline for a pain condition. Approximately 3 months after starting the medicine, I started to notice some issues with my vision. I spoke to my GP, who said that it most likely was not related to the amitriptyline and that I have probably always been short sighted but never noticed it before. I also took an eye test with the optician who said that I am short-sighted due to the shape of my eyes (I now wear glasses). However, it seems strange to me that it only started after I was prescribed the amitriptyline medication. That's not to say that I am doubting the doctor, I just wanted to seek further information. I always thought short-sightedness was something that you were born with (as opposed to age-related vision problems). I have no problem seeing things close to me, but things that are far away are blurry. I am 30 years old. Is it common to become short-sighted at 30 years old? Also, is there any known connections/interactions between amitriptyline and short-sightedness? Thank you in advance for any advice given.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

There is a world wide epidemic of myopia, especially in Asians.  Stastically if projected 20-40 years everyone will be myopic or shortsighted.  That medicication is not associated with causing myopia.  Myopia is rarely present at birth because the eye is small/short, so most infants are hyperopic or farsighted.  Myopica can come on at any age. I was 26 when I became myopic.  Myopia has been associated with long periods of close work (computers, iphones, ipads, reading, etc) and with lack of outdoor time. A study just published showed that if young children are forced to play outdoors for 45-60 minutes/day that it reduces the number that become myopic. We spend too much time indoors looking at electronic screens.

[nicz0906]

Thank you so much for your reply. I actually work from home so I am on the computer for many hours of the day, I guess this is probably a bigger issue than the amitriptyline. Thank you so much for putting my mind at rest :)

[nicz0906]

Incidentally, are there any medications that can cause myopia? I'm guessing from your reply that the answer would be no and that it is more environmental factors that can impact myopia. Thanks :)

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

No but a lot of research on how to prevent myopia. Right now dilute atropine is the drug of choice but this is for use on young children not adults. Some medicine can cause spasm of the focus muscle which creates 'false of pseudomyopia"   Pilocarpine does this and is being marketed as a eye drop for people in early and mid 40's to stimulate focus muscle to keep them out of reading glasses or bifocals for a few years.