Herbal medicines and nutritional supplements may cause ocular side effects.(NEWS REVIEW)

Several herbal medications have been linked to clinically significant ocular side effects, says a study in the October American Journal of Ophthalmology. The study chose to highlight the following because of the frequency of reporting, the available literature and pertinence to eye care:

* Canthaxanthine has been found to cause visual changes, including abnormalities in static threshold perimetry, electroretinography and adaptation to darkness.

* Chamomile may cause severe conjunctivitis when used in or around the eye. (Some have used the herb to treat styes and runny, irritated eyes.) It is also used to treat fevers, bronchitis, insomnia, indigestion, migraine headaches, inflammation, burns and colds. …