A Rare Case of Blurred Vision Induced by Fluoxetine

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 25 Sayı: 2, 114 - 116, 12.09.2025

Sarpkan Özel , Leyla Bozatlı

https://doi.org/10.26650/jchild.2025.1664230

Öz

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are among the most frequently used drug therapies in psychiatric clinics. Although these agents are known to be safe regarding side effect profiles, they may have shared and rare side effects. This case study presents the case of a 15-year-old girl who developed blurred vision after being treated with fluoxetine for depression. Fluoxetine was added to the treatment of the patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder, and she was followed up with behavioral sugges tions and cognitive interventions. The patient developed dizziness, nausea, and blurred vision symptoms 10 days after the dose increase. She developed complaints of blurred vision, which she described as “as if she was looking through a frosted glass.” SSRIs interact with many receptors. Considering the onset time of the symptom in our case, it was thought that the blurred vision symptom of the patient was related to the serotonergic effect of SSRIs. Ssri-class drugs do not cause severe visual impairment unless they cause angle closure or glaucoma and are safer than tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)- class drugs. However, it should be considered that patients may experience blurred vision during SSRI treatment, especially in sensitive groups such as the pediatric population.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors , Blurred Vision , Dizziness , Side Effects , Fluoxetine

Kaynakça

• Perez-Caballero L, Torres-Sanchez S, Bravo L, Mico JA, Berrocoso E. Fluoxetine: a case history of its discovery and preclinical development. Expert Opin Drug Discov. 2014;9(5):567-578. doi:10.1517/17460441.2014.907790 google scholar
• Richa S, Yazbek JC. Ocular adverse effects of common psychotropic agents: a review. CNS Drugs. 2010;24(6):501-526. doi:10.2165/11533180-000000000-00000 google scholar
• Constable PA, Al-Dasooqi D, Bruce R, Prem-Senthil M. A Review of Ocular Complications Associated with Medications Used for Anxiety, Depression, and Stress. Clin Optom (Auckl). 2022;14:13-25. Published 2022 Feb 24. doi:10.2147/ OPTO.S355091 google scholar
• Beasley CM Jr, Koke SC, Nilsson ME, Gonzales JS. Adverse events and treatment discontinuations in clinical trials of fluoxetine in major depressive disorder: an updated meta-analysis. Clin Ther. 2000;22(11):1319-1330. doi:10.1016/ s0149-2918(00)83028-3 google scholar
• Trindade E, Menon D, Topfer LA, Coloma C. Adverse effects associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants: a meta analysis. CMAJ. 1998;159(10):1245-1252. google scholar
• Deka N, Kumari R. Fluoxetine-induced blurring of vision: a rare ocular side effect. Open J Psychiatry Allied Sci. 8, 163-164. doi:10.5958/2394-2061.2017.00001.5 google scholar