Glucoma

[souljacs4]

I have just been told I have Glucoma have been given Latanoprost drops and after doing a little reseach it seems that these can affect your AF any thoughts

[cassie46]

Hi Souljacks

I have had glaucoma for 10 years and AF for 3 1/2 years. When I was first diagnosed with Glaucoma I had laser surgery on both eyes a few days after diagnoses, apparently the pressue was dangeroudly high. I was then prescribed Azopt and Lantanoprost eye drops, Azopt twice daily and Lantanoprost once at night. One of them has a small amount of beta blocker in them, not sure which one. I have not had any real side effects with using them having AF as well. Do you take a beta blocker for AF, I take Bisoprolol.

I no longer use Azopt (had a check up with eye consultant last December and he said there was no need for them) . I have had no deteriation in my sight since it was first diagnosed.

I must admit I have not been a good girl when using the drops (I often forgetten to use them for long periods - I hate eye drops and anything to do with eyes) I think Lantoprost is the one with some beta blocker, last time I asked him did I have to use them as I take a beta blocker, his answer I would prefer to use them!

Be careful and read the instruction so that as little as posssible gets into the blood stream.

You may find that you get rather a metalic taste when using them, see how you get on.

Best of luck, any questions ask away

Cassie

[ILowe in reply to cassie46]

There is the question of the beta blocker, not because of AF, but in case you cannot tolerate even this small amount due to asthma.

Glaucoma cannot be cured, it can only be delayed. The main way is to reduce the pressure in the eye. That is what the drops are for. Paradoxically, if the blood pressure is too low, this will make it harder for the glaucoma, therefore, I was warned more than once, to make sure that any medicine for the heart, such as blood pressure tablets, did not get too low.

[Barb1 in reply to ILowe]

I wonder what is too low? I have been on Travatan drops for glaucoma for 17 years and Bisoprolol for 7 years. My BP averages around 95.

[souljacs4 in reply to Barb1]

Maybe someone can tell us Barb.

[souljacs4 in reply to ILowe]

Thankfully my BP is stable at the moment and I don't take any beta blockers so that's good. Thank you for the info.

[souljacs4 in reply to cassie46]

Hi Cassie, good to know your sight hasn't deteriorated over the last ten years it must have been a worrying time.The only thing I take is apixaban, I feel the same as you about the eye thing but will have to use the drops.

[Carol70]

Hi - just read your post. I have had glaucoma for many years. Over the time I think I have been on every eye drops going. At present am on Dorzolamide twice daily, Pilocarpine twice daily & Latanaprost at night. These do not seem to affect my AF for which I take Apixaban and 5mg Bisoprolol. I also have a pacemaker which keeps my heart ticking over when it beats too slowly. Everyone is different so I am lucky the meds do not interact. With best wishes.

Carol

[souljacs4 in reply to Carol70]

Thank you for the reply Carol. I hope you stay well

[Dadog]

I think it does say somewhere that there can be an effect on heart rhythm - but it didn't affect me. What did happen, was Latanaprost and all the other glaucoma drops, with preservative or not, made my eyes nastily inflamed and sore. I had to come off them and a laser treatment was tried - without success. Next stop will be surgery to reduce pressures.

Strange thing is that I was taking these drops some years before my AF reared its head and they were fine. Maybe not compatible with AF drugs?

[souljacs4 in reply to Dadog]

Interesting I have trouble with my eyes( Blepharitis )so I will have to wait and see how it goes, good luck with the surgery.

[ILowe]

Answering the question, what blood pressure is too low. The problem comes at night. I usually try to get regular measurements just before I wake up. I like to keep it at 120/80 and would accept 110/70 but no lower. The lowest I can get figure, 120/80 for me is equivalent to 145/95 for normal, calm seated figures.

[cassie46]

Well I should have no problems with my blood pressure hardly ever below 120/80 norally over that and HR is normally 85/90 and ofen a lot higher, I am in permanent AF. I had a exchcardiogram f ew weeks ago, laying there my heart felt very calm and quiet indeed, so I thought it would be a low reading. It was not it was reading 90 to 120 and in AF. Since I have had AF the ideals for blood pressure and HR had never been achieved, Awaiting to see an EP privately a Papworth on the 29th August, so will see what is happening and his advice see what the next steps are forward.

Cassie