Allergic reaction to eye drops

[Hastonian]

Hi,

I am a 66 years old male and have been on Timolol/Bimatoprost and Brinzolamide drops for glaucoma since July 2021.

I've recently developed red, itchy, scaly patches on my arms and these seem to be a reaction to the drops as indicated in the leaflet on side effects.

Has anyone had experience of this and can the symptoms be treated while continuing with the drops?

[Stairs10]

Hi Hastonian

I'd suggest that you show them to your pharmacist to check if they're a possible drug reaction and if so then contact the eye clinic.

Did these patches first appear when you started on these drops ?

I've been on slightly different drops not exactly the same as yours. I'm on timolol / travoprost plus brinzolamide.

Best wishes

[Hastonian in reply to Stairs10]

Thanks for your advice.

The red patches appeared about 5 weeks ago and I initially thought that it might be an allergic reaction to something else, so have been using various moisturising creams and avoiding anything that might cause skin irritation.

The pharmacy suggested that I try antihistamine tablets and steroid cream,but this hasn't helped and cannot be taken long-term by glaucoma sufferers.

However, it was only when I read the leaflets about the possible side effects of Brinzolamide and Bimatoprost/Timolol that I realised the drops are probably the cause.

Fortunately, I have upcoming appointments with a dermatologist and the eye hospital and hopefully will be able to find a solution.

[Pete_uk]

I have had similar symptoms, drops dramatically worsened my eczema.

My dermatologist put me on fexofenadine, an antihistamine and it seems to control it well. I've been on it for a few years now

[Astilbe]

I was on timolol/bimatoprost for about 4 years with few problems. Then I was prescribed Cosopt which had the added dorzolomide. It took about 2 or 3 months before both eyes and part of my face were encircled with red, crusting, weeping sores that were so painful and itchy. I had to keep using the Cosopt because I couldn't get to see anybody who would change the drops .Clinics were closed due to pandemic and emergency or gp wouldn't/couldn't change them. Also, come to think of it now, my psoriasis worsened on scalp/face. As soon as I was able to stop Cosopt my symptoms very gradually resolved.

[EthelPledge94]

Hi I've been I've been on Cosopt for a year with no issues and Monopost, 5 years, no issues. A doctor I didn't know changed my Monopost to Lumigan to see if it would bring my oressures down . After about 3 weeks my eyes itched, red and runny, crusty. I phoned the hospital and they stopped the Lumigan and put me back on Monopost. My eyes were too far gone and didn't clear. I then went to the walk in emergency opthalmology clinic and the doctor told me to come off ALL my drops for a few days. I questioned this as I thought it was dangerous but she said no do it then reintroduce my Cosopt and Monopost gradually. Within 5 days it had all cleared up. I am now back on the Monopost (3 days) no problems .....not back on Cosopt yet though. Probably within a day or two......

[blackdog76]

This seems to me to be an allergic reaction to the prostaglandin element of your drops. Always remember that prostaglandins work by an inflammatory process that has the potential to cause skin irritation, which can become widespread.

I had this some years back with severe weeping and irrigation in my armpits , groin, and neck/head. Even after stopping it continued as I had contracted a bacterial infection called l erythrasma, which took weeks to be diagnosed and treated after numerous attempts by doctors who could not work out the problem. I did not use the drops until I had to during lockdown as I was lost to follow up and treatment three times in two and a half years. I now take Saflutan which is preservative free Tafluprost but still get some soreness and itching on my head that I live with. It has not done a lot as I am now registered blind.

I cannot say I am too keen on any of the beta-blocker drops either as they can cause very serious problems if you have any breathing issues like asthma or COPD, and taking any nonselective beta blocker directly into your eyes is about the same as injecting which bypasses the normal oral route to the liver and makes the adverse side effects worse. When I took them I had hair loss, breathing issues, cataracts and depression all caused by them. When they told me to stop in 2000, I then had rebound hypertension (they lower BP), and severe anxiety as the consultant should have weaned me off them gradually after fifteen years on them. I still have anxiety syndrome and cold hands and feet from their long term use (Raynaud's Disorder).

Here is very through paper that describes this

citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewd...

Always remember that everything has side effects and taking anything into your eyes is a direct route to your bloodstream, bypassing the liver. The 'one trick pony' of lowering IOP, at any cost to the patient, is not treating the whole person and can have very troublesome consequences that are life changing, as with me. Always research everything and remember these Ophthalmologists are not entirely free of bias or conflicts of interest in what they do.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello. if you can relate the skin problems since taking th drops, it could very well be a side effect from them. it would be a good idea to contact the eye secretary, and make them aware of whats happened prior to your upcoming appointment. They will pass this information to your consultant and get back to you. Closing your eye after you have put your drops in, and pressing gently on your tear duct for up to 2 minutes, can reduce or even stop the drops from getting into your bloodstream. By doing this, it can reduce the risk of side effects happening.

[blackdog76]

the link I sent does not seem to function.

I have replaced it

iovs.arvojournals.org/artic...

Copy and paste if needed.