eye drops
 

Does anyone have high eye pressure from the prednisone? And what eye drops are safe for us to take?

Hello Adamrach, Good news...:) Eye drops are generally tolerated really, really well, by Mgers. Most of the drops, Beta Blockers for example, are on our caution list, but it's only a 2/4 caution. You'll want to make certain that your doctor knows about MG, and about any other conditions. Beta Blockers are contraindicated in other diseases. I have encountered no difficulties to date.

I'm down to one kind of eye drop, a beta blocker... down from four different kinds of drops, in a matter of six months. The irony is, Adam, one of the drops was Prenisolone...(steroids...!) To be clear, my eye pressure was not caused by steroids, however, we're both in the same MG club.

They will instruct you as to how to place gentle pressure (eye closed) on your duct to prevent as much drainage as possible, from entering your system.

I cannot express enough, the importance of these drops. I may not be the most "compliant" patient....:wink: but when it comes to my vision, nothing stands in my way--not MG, nothing. I behave....:D

I'm very interested, Adam--please keep me posted.

Hi Adamrach,
I have glaucoma in both eyes due to high dose pred (75 mg/d for several months) and I take 2 types of drops:
-bimatoprost, 0.3mg/ml, one drop evenings,
-brinzolamide, 10mg/ml,one drop mornings and evenings.
(those are active constituant names rather than brand names)
Indeed, beta blockers are to be avoided...
Maurice.

Neutro said..., " I have glaucoma in both eyes..."

As do I, Maurice...:)

Adamrach, Do you have an eye doctor who is prescribing you eye drops? Perhaps you can ask them what the options are, do research on them (here or elsewhere) and then also ask your neurologist about it.

Pharmacists are also a good place to check in with, especially since you can not only have adverse effects from one drug but interactions with any others you might be taking.

Fotunatos, It really depends upon the person. The way you stated your response, it sounded like you were talking about all eye drops out there. There are many drops, such as those given by eye doctors, that can make MGers much worse. The drops with Atropine in them can make someone with bad bulbar symptoms choke their eyes out.

Adamrach, I think it's important for you to speak to your doctors.

Annie

http://myasthenia.org/LinkClick.aspx...JuFvZPPq2vg%3d

I am on travitan, azropt, and alphagan.

Annie said, "...Fotunatos, It really depends upon the person..."

I agree with you Annie; which is why I said, "Generally..." In one of my posts, you will see that myasthenics are referred to as "Snowflakes..."

My information comes from several sources. As well, I am under the care of an Ophthalmologist, and a Neuro-Ophthalmologist, who has a special interest in Myasthenia Gravis. We are very lucky to have him.

Adam said, "...I am on travitan, azropt, and alphagan..."

Hello Adam, I was on Alphagan. :) It can sting...! The drops take a bit of practise so not to worry if you miss. I still hit the eyelashes or the cheek, every once in a while. It's really important that we follow our doctors' instructions, with these medications. If you have any concerns, let your doctor know. There are others meds out there.

Did he tell you what your pressures are?

Please keep me posted....

Also, you need to make sure you don't have narrow angle glaucoma because some eye drops, (antihistamine) and other OTC and prescription drugs that have the effect of dilating the eyes can make narrow angle glaucoma worse and even lead to complete closure resulting in optic nerve damage and even blindness.

[QUOTE=Fortunatos;984265]Adam said, "...I am on travitan, azropt, and alphagan..."

Hello Adam, I was on Alphagan. :) It can sting...! The drops take a bit of practise so not to worry if you miss. I still hit the eyelashes or the cheek, every once in a while. It's really important that we follow our doctors' instructions, with these medications. If you have any concerns, let your doctor know. There are others meds out there.

Did he tell you what your pressures are?

Please keep me posted....[/QUOTE
My eye pressures are 30 and 31.

Hi Adamrach,
Since you put up the brand names, mine are Lumigan and Azopt.
I have also Vismed drops (twice a day) because Azopt causes eye dryness and red eyes.
I see an eye specialist in 10 days based on my ophtalmo recommendation for possible surgery because my sight field is narrowing, particularly in one eye.
Have you the same problem?
The figures you quote for you eye pressure are high and indicative of poor treatment...
I had figures above 30 before which were lowered down to 12 to 18.
(I think the units are the same...)
Maurice.

Adam said, "... My eye pressures are 30 and 31..."

Let us know how the drops are working for you.


Drops can be expensive, particularly if the doc changes them around a bit, or patients are using more than a couple. Some Ophthals (I'm hopeful this is the case in the US, as well) have drops available (from pharmaceutical reps) and are most willing to "give" patients a bottle or two, if cost is an issue,
and as well, the doctor is of course, interested in the outcome for these new drops.)

For those interested, there is a Philadelphia-based web site
which hosts a monthly, question and answer period. Quite frankly, I don't know how these two Opthals find the time--pretty generous. Note the schedule...there will be a discussion about IOP monitoring and as well,
steroids.


http://willsglaucoma.org/glaucoma-su...dule-of-events
Cheers...

Fortunatos admitted saying.....

Drops can be expensive, particularly if the doc changes them around a bit, or patients are using more than a couple. Some Ophthals (I'm hopeful this is the case in the US, as well) have drops available (from pharmaceutical reps) and are most willing to "give" patients a bottle or two, if cost is an issue,
and as well, the doctor is of course, interested in the outcome for these new drops...


Good grief, let me qualify! My point....:rolleyes: was, ask the doctor for the drops. What's the worse that can happen? Well, he may feel that you aren't a candidate for the "new" medication. (I think I need some ice cream...or something...)

Hmmm so stupid post visine eye drops wont hurt us? I have been avoiding it like the plague. On prednisone no interactions with that and visine? Stupid post on me but I have to ask. U never learn if you don't ask,right?:o

Not sure yet how the drops are working I am worried that they are contributing to the extra weakness that I am having but I am plugging my eye ducts so I should be getting the least amount in my system, I go back july 2nd to see the eye doctor. This all started with the solemedrol I was getting with the ivig and the prednisone I am on. The solemedrol just kicked it over the edge. My eye doctor calls it steriod induced glaucoma.

RIGHT!!! If you are using eye drops on your own, it's a good idea to ask your doc, anyway...for peace of mind...to make certain there isn't an underlying condition that could be causing dryness...bet you were happy to hear that...always happy to help....:D

Hello Adam, :) Sounds like you are doing a great job with the drops. It's always difficult to know the cause when we feel "extra weakness." A feeling of extra weakness means, extra relaxation for you, and believe me, I know how difficult it can be to find time for ourselves, but with this condition, it's something we need to practise. Be mindful of this extra weakness. I took a look at steroid-induced glaucoma, and good results are pretty promising for you.

Do you see an Optometrist, under the guidance of an Ophthal, or do you go directly to an Ophtal?

I am seeing on opthemoligist (sp?) and eye surgeon she referred me to him for a second opinion.

I never even thought about using visine as being a potential problem.

Hello Celeste, :) Eye drops may not be a potential problem. Symptoms, such as, burning, itching, red, dry eyes, for example, need to be investigated.

I think that it has to do with gnats and pollen in my eyes. You can't go anytime without something in them. I think that we live in a jungle.

Adamrach, I think you missed one point of my previous post: if you have now eye pressure above 30, your glaucoma is not adequately controlled with your drops...
Maurice.

Yes that is why we are doing 3 different drops a day now three times a day, we think that every time I go get ivig and get solemedrol as a premed that it keeps pushing it up, I never had this problem till we did the solemedrol. Next visit if it is not down we will talk more options. It's really frustrating. And I hate the drops. I do pinch my ducts so not much can get in my system.

Adam said, "...we think that every time I go get ivig and get solemedrol as a premed that it keeps pushing it up, I never had this problem till we did the solemedrol..."

Adam, You said you never had this problem until the solemedrol. Did you report ocular symptoms, and if so, to whom? If you didn't report anything, then how did the diagnosis come about? For example, did you just happen to have a standard eye exam scheduled? Thx..Let me know... :)

I started having really bad pressure and eye pain, I made an appointment with me regular eye doctor who promptly went me to an eye specialist,

Smar-r-r-r-t, Adam! Myasthenics have a tendency to blame MG for everything. Further, some people are afraid to complain about more or unusual symptoms; understandable. Thank you, and to everyone else who has posted....!

It is easy to blame everything on our MG. I was feeling terrible a few days ago. I assumed it was the MG. Then I realized that my blood pressure had crashed. I was running 90/46 when my body is used to hypertension. I cut back on my blood pressure medicine and felt much better. Now I have had to go back to the normal dosage. All this stuff gets complicated.

For those interested, there is a Philadelphia-based web site
which hosts a monthly, question and answer period. Quite frankly, I don't know how these two Opthals find the time--pretty generous. Note the schedule...there will be a discussion about IOP monitoring and as well,
steroids.


http://willsglaucoma.org/glaucoma-su...dule-of-events

It is the easiest sign-in!

A reminder that this meeting is tonight. If you look at the schedule, in a few months, the doctor will talk about how to prepare for a visit to an eye doctor. I think this might interest those with vision problems. If you are unable to attend, the site will post highlights of the meeting.

Perhaps we'll see some of you tonight, if you can figure out the time zone...took me a minute or two... MST? DST?..... :rolleyes:

So those of you on Alphagan and azopt have you noticed any MG weakness?

Hello Adam :) I checked to see when your next appointment was, only a couple of days ago.

I was on Alphagan for roughly, 4 to 5 months, both eyes. I did not notice any MG weakness.

My next appointment is July 2nd with the eye doctor.

I'm about to go on Restasis because my eyes are damaged from MG. I haven't started it yet; but at my recent eye appt the doctor told me the surface of my eyes is changing from dry eyes, most likely from them not closing completely at night I am assuming from what I've read.

Adam, :) I am heading into a long weekend, so I want to wish you
"Fortunatos"....(latin for "Good Luck") at your upcoming appointment.
I'm hopeful that your IOP is down, down...down.

Please let us know.
Cheers...

Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!! Me too!!! Tommorow is the appointment I had to stop the alphagan drops they were making me weaker.

Yay!!!!
My eye pressure is down from 31 in each eye to 22!!!!! So happy!

Excellent!!!!! :yahoo: