The prevalence of the ocular side effects of chlorpromazine in the Tuscaloosa Veterans Administration patient population.

Ninety-five patients were examined between the ages of 25 and 74 years of age at the Tuscaloosa Veterans Administration Hospital and the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry. Of the 95 patients 54.7% had never taken chlorpromazine and 45.3% were taking chlorpromazine. We analyzed the prevalence of ocular side effects of chlorpromazine and found that the most prevalent side effect was anterior lens capsule dusting followed by corneal stromal pigment dusting. Both of these changes occurred at a lower cumulative dosage level than had previously been reported. The prevalence of anterior corneal epithelial opacification, anterior corneal staining, cataracts, and pigment in the macula is also reported.