CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS OF COMMONLY USED OPHTHALMIC MEDICATIONS

Eye disease and cardiovascular disease frequently coexist. As a result , cardiologists and ophthalmologists often treat the same patients. Am ong ophthalmologists it is well known that topical ophthalmic medicati ons are capable of producing serious cardiovascular effects, including congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, and death. However, cardiologi sts may not be aware of these potential complications. This article re views the cardiovascular effects of commonly prescribed topical ocular medications and describes important contraindications to their use in patients with cardiovascular disease. Cardiologists, by making themse lves and their patients more aware of the cardiovascular effects of to pical ocular medications, may be able to avoid the adverse and potenti ally fatal complications of these agents.