Discomfort in eyes

[HarryKee]

I have chronic glaucoma. Two years ago I had laser treatment; now I have recently started taking Ganfort drops every day. My pressure are pretty good but I seem to have a lot of soreness, headaches and general discomfort. I assume this is normal. Is it?

[Euphor]

Hi, it’s hard to know what is normal with glaucoma 🙂 but I also have lots of soreness and headaches. In the past I have requested a change to my eye drop medication if I’ve felt the side effects were unmanageable. I have dry eyes too. I find recently that wearing glasses made to protect eyes from the computer screen glare to be beneficial in reducing headaches as well as tinted lenses when outdoors.

[HarryKee in reply to Euphor]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Some good tips there which I will raise with the medics.

[muddledme]

Sorry to hear about your discomfort since commencing Ganfort.

I agree with Euphor that if this persists then it is well worth contacting the hospital to let them know and they may be able to give you an alternative medication.

Personally I had many side effects with eye drops, somtimes systemic and often the preservatives were a problem. Keep a careful note of the drops you have tried.I had side effects with Ganfort so they gave me the version without preservatives with similar effects.

If they think you have dry eyes it may be worth asking to try Thealoz Duo UD. They have certainly helped me and seem to be more effective and last much longer than other lubricants. My optometrist calls them the Rolls Royce of eye lubricants ! Hope your side effects improve.

[HarryKee in reply to muddledme]

Always wanted a Rolls Royce of any kind. I will take your comments under advisement as they say in the civil service. Many thanks for your time.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello. It could very well be the preservative in the Ganfort that is causing the discomfort, If your eyes are red, inflammed and itchy, these are common signs of an allergic reaction to the preservative. A consultants aim is to control and maintain your glaucoma, but they also need to take into account any discomfort the patient is experiencing with their eye drop and look into an alternative for them. Ganfort is available as a preservative free option so definately worth asking about it.

When we are on the computer or reading we can forget to blink as much as we should, especially when we are concentrating. It is important that you do this and also have a break to rest your eyes. Try the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes look at something 20 metres away for 20 seconds. Use your dry eye drops as often as you need too. Even up to 6 times a day, it doesnt matter. They hydrate and lubricate the eye and will not affect your glaucoma at all. Remember though, if you use them around the time you are due to put the Ganfort in leave at least 20 minutes. It may be 20 minutes before or 20 minutes after but the gap is important to do.

[Sufitzy]

Hi please ask you clinic or opticians about if there may be other issue such as dry eye. I got it as part of my problems and it causes horrible headaches and irritation but is very easily resolved with dry eye drops that don’t affected the medication drops and can be bought over the counter. I have also had a couple of infections/inflammation that required a course of steroids prescribed by the eye clinic . So basically don’t suffer as it could be a range of non scary things that can be sorted . Paracetamol in the mean time and hope you feel better soon . Su xx

[HarryKee]

Thank you everyone for your time and interest. Will take up many of these comments with the medical people.

[Sunshine88888888]

Totally agree with everyone’s comments. I’ve had all the side effects you have mentioned and now I have preservative free drops. Also I can’t take Cospot, within hours I have raging headaches. So please discuss your side effects with your eye clinic. I never realised just how important dry rye drops were until about a year ago, having been diagnosed 20 plus years I wish I had known before however it’s never too late. So please again discuss the need for dry eye drops. I try to remember to take the drops throughout the day, I have been recently prescribed dry eye gel for nighttime too. Getting the right drops for your eyes is key, took me sometime and courage to say about the side effects simply because like you I thought I had to put up with the side effects. Now no more redness, no more soreness just need to remember the drops and make sure I let the consultant know how my eyes are doing. Hope you get it sorted soon.

[HarryKee]

Great reply.Will take your advice. Good luck to you.