zarontin link to eyesight?

[bemused2]

My daughter was diagnosed with petit mal epilepsy (absence siezures) when she was 4 years old. This was controlled with medication (Zarontin) which she was weaned off 18months ago under hospital supervision. She is now 10 years old and her latest eye test has shown astigmatism in her left eye and she is borderline for glasses. She also has large pupils and therefore struggles with bright lights, including using the interactive white board at school. The optician said enlarged pupils let more light in. I'm just wondering if there is anyone out there has taken Zarontin (or similar Epilepsy medication) and found their eyesight has deteriorated. This could of course just be a coincidence but i would be interested in your response. Thank you

[annie0000]

I don't know if there is any link, but I would guess that it is just co-incidence - does either parent (sorry don't know if you are mum or dad) wear glasses and/ or have astigmatism - astigmatism is very common - and I think that there is a genetic link as well. Most people with bad eyesight will have astigmatism to some degree.

Is there any particular reason that you want to know, presumably she needed the medication anyway, were you made aware of any possible side affects at the time, or do you think that the benefit of the absence of seizures out weighed the risk of having to wear glasses?

I think that the attitudes to glasses have changed a lot throughout the years and kids at school are much more accepting - In fact it is quite cool now according to my son. girls especially are keen to get some designer frames.

The frames they do now for kids are great and are mostly free - we go to optical express and my son has had some lovely designerglasses (he has "head" ones with the thick side frames at the moment) all free expect for an optional 12 pound for a scratch coating.

I wouldn't have thought that you should feel angry or guilty is the drugs did affect her eyes as she obviously needed them at the time.

Hope all goes well.

[chrisrob]

There is a slight chance of myopia though quite rare.
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[bemused2]

Hi Annie and thanks for all replies.
I am not angry at all as i know my daughter needed the medicine at the time. I am eternally grateful for all the treatment and care she received. I'm just curious as I like to have reasons for things that happen (sad i know and totally irrational). Neither parents have astigmatism and i am aware that it is common. But Dad and Mom (me) both have started needed reading glasses in recent years (we're late forties). Yes they do have 'cool' glasses and the optician seemed to think this is why she wants them. As she is only borderline, we havent done anything yet but the opticiain said to come back anytime if we feel she needs rather than wants them. Thanks again for taking time to answer

[annie0000]

Its good to be curious :) I just wanted to make sure that you werent feeling guilty or looking for someone to blame. You are so lucky not to need glasses - my husband and I are both short sighted although we didn't need glasses until our teens, but my elder son has been short sighted since he was 6. He is now 8 and he is fine about it, but it does restrict his ability for sports. He has prescription goggles for swimming, but he has had to give up rugby as he struggles to follow the game and there is no way that he can play with his glasses on.

As you say they are a real fashion statement now.

My younger son was 5 when Craig got his first glasses and he was crying because he didn't need any.

I have done the same as you investigated if there is any reason that his eyesight would have deterioted so young and have read studies about eating a diet high in wheat affecting your eyesight. At the end of the day though, we should be thankful that our kids are as healthy as they are and that it is great that your daughter now no longer needs her medication. Best wishes.