Which antipsychotic is classically associated with corneal deposits?

• A. Thorazine (chlorpromazine)
• B. Haldol (haloperidol)
• C. Zyprexa (olanzapine)
• D. Geodon (ziprasidone)

Answer: (A)

Chlorpromazine, a phenothiazine antipsychotic, is the classic drug associated with corneal deposits. Its lipophilic nature lets it accumulate in ocular tissues over long-term use, leading to visible corneal microdeposits detectable on exam. This effect is related to dose and duration of therapy. The other listed antipsychotics—haloperidol, olanzapine, and ziprasidone—do not have corneal deposition as a characteristic adverse effect, though they have their own distinct side effect profiles (extrapyramidal symptoms with haloperidol; metabolic effects with olanzapine; various metabolic/cardiac considerations with ziprasidone). In practice, patients on long-term chlorpromazine may have periodic eye exams to monitor for these deposits, even though they’re often not clinically harmful.