Since 1960, a decade after the introduction of phenothiazine drugs, there were reports of drug related ocular opacities and pigmentation in patients who had been receiving continuous high dose therapy, particularly with chlorpromazine. These ocular effects seem to be related to high doses of phenothiazines and are potentially irreversible. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the pathophysiology of ocular damage, risk factors, treatment and any potential reversibility.

Bibliographic research used PubMed and PsychINFO and conduced to 12 papers.

Analysis of papers has shown that the main pathophysiological mechanism is related to an alteration of excretion of catecholamines, that exposure to sunlight presents a risk factor for the development of corneal deposits and cataract while, as regards the reversibility of these effects, the data are still controversial.

It is necessary, for psychiatrists, the information of the various ocular adverse effects of therapy with phenothiazine so that can be arranged to create a closer and more effective collaboration with an ophthalmologist to prevent and treat this disease.

Moreover, other studies are necessary to lead to an appropriate treatment plan.