Hello, I am currently using Cosopt and Monoprost drops for my glaucoma, which according to my consultant, seem to be keeping my pressures at an acceptable level. After a recent health check, my GP has advised me to take Atorvastatin 20 mg daily. I haven’t started them yet as I am concerned whether they might “interfere” with my eye drops. I have tried looking up possible reactions, but wonder whether anyone on here could offer any advice or share their experiences with statins, etc. I did not want to have to start them, but evidently I am quite a high risk patient! He has also had to put me on blood pressure tablets (Amlodipine 2.5 mg) I suppose I’ve done well to get to this age (72 next month) with only having to use the eye drops! Thanks.
Statins and eye drops: Hello, I am currently... - Glaucoma UK
Statins and eye drops
As far as atorvastatin is concerned I know how you feel about taking then given the really long list of possible side effects. It took me a couple of years of nagging by my GP to start on them . They didn't have an affect on my eye pressures. Although I wasn't on glaucoma drops. I had progressed to an operation in each eye so after 25 years of using them it was nice not to have to any more.
Thank you for your very prompt reply! This site is great, just knowing that someone is out there who understands your worries and concerns is a comfort in itself! I really appreciate your concern. I hope your eyes are going on ok, as I just read your post from several years ago when you said everything was very foggy! Are they better now? Another worry - Do you think eye drops can affect your blood pressure readings? I’m now going to have to look that up! I went for a Future Health check up a few days ago and my BP was very high - hence the pills! Oh the joys of getting old! Kind regards, Gill
Hello Rainyday2024
I am 76 and my B/P is sometimes a bit borderline, but usualy resolves when I repeat it after 5 minutes rest. It has improved since I commenced a daily teaspoon of beetroot powder also Fennugreek and celery seeds sprinkled on my evening meal, tastes very good too.
My cholesterol has been raised for years despite a Mediteranean style diet, since starting Vit B3 for Glaucoma it dropped to normal. Sadly I had a few retinal bleeds on 500mg daily so now because of the possible risk I just take a very low dose.....so low the cholesterol is raised again ! Now I take high strength garlic 6000mg daily and will be interested to see any improvement in the next test.
I believe we all react differently to medication so , as you say, that is why this forum is very useful.
Best wishes
Hello Muddledme, Thank you for your reply - some very interesting points! I have heard about beetroot juice, so I may look into trying the powder plus I like the taste of both fenugreek and celery. It’s interesting about the vitamin B3. I take multivitamin and mineral tablet when I remember, but I also read they might not be such a good idea if taking statins! It’s all so confusing. Kind regards, Gill
Hi again Rainyday, thanks for your post and asking about my foggy eyes which was about a couple of years or so ago. It was after my trabulectomy. Things were foggy and I had a sort of double vision for about 9 months till it eventually settled down. I have been pleased with the trab, not so much with the Presserflo shunt where my eye still gets very irritated about two thirds of the time. I don't feel anything at all that way with the trab. My vision in both eyes is ok although I now need a cataract op in the trab eye which I have been putting off for a year or more.I don't know about blood pressure and eye drops. I keep meaning to test mine regularly.
Kind regards to you too.
Hello again Astilbe, Thanks for your message. I hope all goes well with your cataract operation when you have it done. I had both my eyes done in 2010, all went well but that was when they discovered I had glaucoma! Kind regards, Gill
I'm in the same position as you regarding Atorvastatin. I've been resisting GP pressure foe mire than a year, but now reluctantly agreeing to start on 10 mg a day. Still not sure if I will, though! I've done a lot of googling but not able to find much regarding statins and eyes. I read something about maybe a positive effect on glaucoma, but I can't remember where I read it.
Hello Iona57, Thank you for your reply. It’s all very confusing, knowing what to take or not take! Kind regards, Gill
I reluctantly started taking Atorvastatin 20 mg a few years ago but reduced to 10 mg because I got headaches. They have halved my cholesterol levels. I have been pre-diabetic for 10 years but this is increasing. I have read that a side effect of taking Atorvastatin is that it can increase blood sugar levels. At no time have I seen GP since starting them! About 2 years ago I was diagnosed with high eye pressures following a diabetic eye test. I now use Monopost drops which seem to be lowering my eye pressures. In previous posts I have said that I get weird dreams sometimes but can be sure if it is connected with taking the Atorvastatin and Monopost. I am 73 and I think as we get older we have to weigh up risk factors and make the most of time we have left. Good luck.
Hello Dorset22, Thank you for your reply. It’s very interesting to see how all these drugs and drops can affect us all in different ways. Kind regards, Gill
I asked my ophthalmologist about statins (I’m on the same dose as you) & he said 20 mg is a teeny tiny dose! And that it was absolutely fine to take statins if you have glaucoma.
Hello mrswaffle, Thank you for your reply - that makes me feel more hopeful re the statins. Kind regards, Gill
I have been taking similar eye drops for the last twelve years and was put onto the same statin a few years ago. I have experienced no side effects from taking the statin and it made no difference to my eye drops.
But I may just be very fortunate with this as other people may have had different outcomes.
Hope this helps.
Hello Pley, Thank you for your reply. I’m feeling less anxious now about beginning the statins. Kind regards, Gill
I’ve been taking 10mg Atorvastatin for several years while taking Monopost with no ill effects. I’m 78, size 8, and active, so doing everything I can to keep my cholesterol levels down but they’ve now crept up to just over 5 and they’re suggesting increasing mine to 20mg. As there’s little more I can do to rectify the situation, given that our diets probably contribute less to our level than what our livers manufacture, I’m about to go on the same dose as yourself. I think we will both be ok.
Hello JustAmanda, Thank you for your reply. My cholesterol was 6. After reading all the very helpful and interesting replies on here, I feel less anxious now about starting the statins! Kind regards, Gill
Glaucoma for 40 years, lots of surgeries, drops. Been taking both Amlodipine and Atoravastin for 20+. As far as I know no issues. Everytime I start any new med first question always. How do the meds interact with glaucoma, pressure, other meds. Good luck to you.
Hello USME, Thank you for your reply. It’s good to know you’ve been ok with your medication. I’m feeling less anxious now. Kind regards, Gill
I’ve avoided statins by changing my diet and eating 1 or 2 Brazil nuts daily, my last blood test showed my cholesterol level had dropped to well within normal levels. I’m 67 and was diagnosed with glaucoma in March this year following some sight loss, only one eye is affected and I use monopost and theoloz eye drops
Hello Sodalover, Thank you for your reply. It’s good that you are managing to keep your cholesterol level down - I love nuts but once I open a bag, can’t stop eating them, so I probably “overdose” on fat! I also use Thealoz drops in the daytime, when I remember and the Thealoz gel at bedtime. Kind regards, Gill
The American Academy of Ophthalmology, July 2024, published the following: 'Findings suggest that statin use may be an independent risk factor for glaucoma, which may furthermore be affected by one’s lipid profile and age'. HOWEVER, the same study concluded with: 'These findings', (also), 'support the hypothesis that higher severity of hyperlipidemia requiring statin use, as well as statin use itself, may serve as independent risk factors for glaucoma. These findings may serve as a starting point for future studies and interventions to reduce glaucoma risk by optimizing control of systemic vascular disease'.
My advice is to CONSULT your health professional/GP and/or an ophthalmologist, (eye doctor), since the answer is NOT clear cut. I suffer from O.A. Glaucoma, and have been using Latanoprost/Xalatan 50ug/ml, one drop nocte both eyes regularly for over a year, and taking Atorvastatin 20mg, o.d., over the same length of time. The statin is successfully reducing my non-HDL cholesterol, (the so-called 'bad' cholesterol), and the Latanoprost is equally successfully reducing my IOPs, (intraocular pressures). Neither medication has caused any side-effects as far as I'm aware. I have my IOPs measured every 12 months, and request visual fields testing. One of the main risk factors for glaucoma is growing old; one of the most important reasons for screening for the disease. [I cannot comment on the high blood pressure treatment, Amlodipine 2.5mg].
Hello woodthorpe, Thank you for your very informative reply. Tomorrow I will contact my eye consultant’s secretary and ask her to pass on my concerns. Kind regards, Gill
Hi, I'm 80 and was diagnosed with glaucoma 4yrs ago, Monopost 50 mg and Eyelamdo 20mg drops. Been on Atorvastatin 40mg for about a year. I have no idea if one has had any affect on the other but had a Trabocoloctamy and cataract removed 6 weeks ago on the right eye. As I usually wear glasses I'm struggling with focusing but my vision seems better in this eye. Hospital again on Wednesday so will be given an update. I will have to have the same procedures on my left eye once this one is better. It will be a while before I get my vision back to normal but thinking positive. We are so lucky to be offered these operations, years ago blindness would have been the outcome for most.
Hello Rasecretary, Thank you for your reply. I hope all goes well for you on Wednesday. As you say, we are very fortunate these days - I remember my grandma going blind but no-one seemed to question it, as though it was just a normal thing to happen when you got older! Kind regards, Gill
Hello Rainyday 2024,
Before my trabeculectomy on both eyes I was on Cosopt and Monoprost drops for my glaucoma for many years along with Atorvastatin 20 mg daily. You need to monitor the usual blood tests to avoid the side effects of Statin. In my case there is no problem. With best wishes.
Hello balacakkhu, Thank you for your reply. It’s good to hear that your medication is working well for you. Kind regards, Gill
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