According to information from a new study, the eyes may be able to link epilepsy with cataracts and antidepressant use. The research was conducted by scientists from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) and Columbia University.

The study showed that a receptor for the major neurotransmitter in the brain as well as in the eye lens may be able to explain the links between cataracts, epilepsy and the use of various different types of antidepressant drugs. The results of this research are located online in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications.

“Recent studies identified associations between increased cataracts and epilepsy, and showed increased cataract prevalence with use of antiepileptic drugs as well as some common antidepressants,” explained corresponding author Peter Frederikse, PhD, of the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School. “One common theme linking these observations is that our research showed the most prevalent receptor for the major neurotransmitter in the brain is also present in the lens. Our goal now is to use this information to parse out the potential effects of antiepileptics and antidepressants on these ‘off-target’ sites in the lens, and to determine the role glutamate receptors have in lens biology and pathology.”

Patients dealing with epilepsy can often find themselves feeling depressed or suffering from other common conditions that may require antidepressant medications to treat. For this reason, the link between antidepressant use and epilepsy is fairly obvious, however epilepsy’s link to eye conditions is not so well known.

Epileptic patients take a variety of medications to help treat their conditions, including Topamax. Recent reports and studies showed that Topamax was linked to birth defects in babies whose mothers took the drug while pregnant. Some of the birth defects linked to Topamax include PPHN, oral clefts, cleft palate, spina bifida and other neural tube defects. The popular drug is also commonly used to treat migraines.

If your baby was born with birth defects as a result of the mother taking Topamax while pregnant, contact the attorneys at Greg Jones today for a free consultation. I am experienced at fighting Topamax lawsuits and may be able to help you recover money for your baby’s injuries.