Prozac and Narrow Angle Glaucoma

[Tiger31]

Taking Prozac for many years, now suspect narrow angle glaucoma. Any advice about potential links to meds and glaucoma? Do I change meds?

[Lynne-H]

Hi Tiger

I wouldn`t think that the Prozac has caused the narrow angle glaucoma because I too have this type of glaucoma and I`m pretty sure that it`s just the way my eyes are built - I have narrow channels which I assume have always been there. I was diagnosed when I was 47 and am now 73 - had iridotomies when first diagnosed and have used drops since 2011.

However I would check with your doctor because I think that anti depressant medication can raise eye pressures which could cause an attack of acute glaucoma in anyone who has narrow angle glaucoma. I always ask my GP to look medication up in his drugs book before he prescribes.

When I suffered a period of anxiety my GP gave me a beta-blocker propranolol.

Hope this helps.

Lynne

[Tiger31 in reply to Lynne-H]

Thank you for your reply Lynne. Been on the tablets for many years to help my chronic IBS and they really do help - after trying every other typical IBS meds and other therapies. Thought I read that they can raise IOP’s and as only recently diagnoses with glaucoma was wondering if I should try to come off them or change meds (if I can). A GP consult is defo the way to go, thanks for the advice.Regards

Kath

[Lynne-H in reply to Tiger31]

Hi Kath

Yes hopefully your GP will be able to give you some reassurance and advice as to the best way to go. I know what you mean - it`s very difficult when you find a medication that suits you for one thing and then find it could be bad for another condition,

I hope you manage to sort out the best thing for you.

Lynne xx

[Hidden in reply to Lynne-H]

Hi Lynne sorry to butt in. I was diagnosed with open angle in last year I’m 52 I know it’s different than yours I was just wondering how your eyesight is. I’m absolutely petrified but they say they caught it early. Hope you didn’t mind me butting in and asking.

[Lynne-H in reply to Hidden]

Hi Julie

No don`t mind at all.

As they`ve caught yours early - with regular check ups you should be fine.

My Dad had glaucoma - not sure which one but because of this I started to go for eye tests as soon as I got to 40. It wasn`t picked up straight away with me but this one optician persisted with my GP to get me referred to the Eye Clinic and the day after my first appointment I had the iridotomies - that was in 1994 and I managed without drops until 2011.

I`ve had one or two ups and downs along the way including having a macular hole repaired in my right eye but with regards to the glaucoma it`s all been fine and I still have good vision. My right eye is not as good as my left but that`s because of the macular hole op - things in that eye are just a bit distorted but still reasonable. As I said I`m 73 now so feel that I`ve done ok.

There`s so much more they can do today and so try not to worry - just go for your check ups and I`m sure you`ll be fine.

Lynne xx

[Hidden in reply to Lynne-H]

Thankyou for your kind reply are you still able to to drive sounds like you are doing amazing x

[Hidden in reply to Lynne-H]

How was your dads sight I so worry for my children

[Lynne-H in reply to Hidden]

Hi Julie

Yes I passed the DVLA sight test last year and I still have my licence. As you probably know when we reach 70 everyone has to renew their licence every three years and declare any medical conditions.

My Dad lived in an age where he wouldn`t probably have been aware of glaucoma especially as as far as I know no other relatives in our family had the condition - he did have two sisters who died young so they might have been affected but we`ll never know.

So when he started to have trouble with his eyes he just thought be needed new glasses and by the time he went to the optician he`d already lost most of the vision in his left eye. He had trabeculectomies on both eyes and was prescribed drops and his right eye remained good for the rest of his life. He died when he was 75. He used to say "I`m ok - I can still read my paper."

My son who is now 52 has had regular eye tests since he was 40 - possibly before, and so far he is fine and my sister she`s ok too. So it doesn`t necessarily follow that your children will be affected. Do they have regular eye tests?

I might be a bit naive but I can`t ever remember actually worrying that much about glaucoma - I don`t think I`d ever heard of it when my Dad was diagnosed. I suppose I just feel lucky that I found out about it before it was too late for me. I do get a bit anxious when I go for my check ups but thankfully so far if there`s been a problem then they do something about it.

Lynne xx

[Hidden in reply to Lynne-H]

Hi Lynne you have been so kind messaging me back and I hope you don’t think I’m being to nosey but all I seem to hear is horror stories. I’m so pleased you have your license and yes I did know about when your 70 the delay test you. My children are 28 and 30 my 30 year old has been for a test just waiting for my youngest to get one done oldest was ok. I have no siblings and my mum sided at 42 and dad died at 56 my dad wore glasses but never mentioned glaucoma . You are definitely an inspiration and I know most people who have had it caught early like myself only ever need drops so all I can do is hope that’s all I need. Please keep in touch and Take care and Thankyou x

[Lynne-H in reply to Hidden]

Happy to help Julie.

I wish you and your family well. I`m sure as time goes on you`ll come to feel better about things.

You too take care - I`m here if you need to talk

Lynne xx

[Hidden in reply to Lynne-H]

Thankyou so much Lynne. Have a Lovely Weekend. Take care Speak soon xx

[Tiger31]

Thank you so much for the reply, much appreciated. I actually take the prozac to control my IBS symptoms of many years (after having every over the counter medicine and cognitive behaviour therapies - the list is exhaustive) this is the only medicine my GP and I have found that helps.I had read that some antidepressant meds can cause raised IOP. I have very long history of eye issues including cataract surgeries at age 18 (now 50) and 15 yrs ago detached retinas in both eyes, so am not for a moment linking all of my recent IOP’s to the Prozac, just wondered if they may not be helping.Your words are much appreciated.

[Amandeep_GlaucomaUK]

Hi Tiger 31,

I have attached a link (see below) pages 344 - 352 to an accredited study you may find useful. The study looks at drug-induced glaucoma, including anti-depressants such as Prozac. It appears that the main cause of glaucoma in these cases is due to the medication causing pupil dilation, which can be enough to precipitate an attack of angle-closure glaucoma in a patient with narrow angles. There have been documented cases of anti-depressants including Prozac to be associated with attacks of angle-closure glaucoma, however the actual percentage of people where this occurs is not noted. In regards to whether you need to change your medication, this is something that would need to be discussed with both your GP and Ophthalmologist. As you have mentioned, Prozac is one of the few medications that is helping manage your IBS. As I do not have any further knowledge of your medical history, I am unable to provide you with any specific guidance as to whether you should or should not continue with the medication.

oculist.net/downaton502/pro...

Please get in touch if you have any further questions.

Amandeep

[Tiger31 in reply to Amandeep_GlaucomaUK]

Amandeep, thank you for sourcing this article, I will indeed read it. I will take advice from my consultant etc, I see him on Monday. Thanks again.

Kath.