Prescribed Latanoprost for elevated eye pressure

[Mstiles]

I had saw my eye specialist last week and was told my eye pressure was high in my right eye. My optic nerve and field of vision show no GCA damage or effect. I’m currently on 35 mg pred, been on 40 since January. (Difficulty tapering and with my rheumy, updated post coming soon).

The eye specialist prescribed Latanoprost to be used in both eyes. Has anyone been on this drug? I hate to add another drug, but it seems pred is now causing some problems. Hopefully as I taper down the eye pressure will normalize. Is this drug hard to get off of? I just have such a fear of drugs. Side effects say after being on it for awhile it sometimes grows long eyelashes and changes eye color to brown. Long lashes would be Ok, but I don’t want my eyes to turn brown, I like my green ones!

[Pat9442]

I have been on Lanoprost for several years because of Glaucoma. No side effects at all and much as I would love long lashes they remain exactly the same - as do my blue eyes.

Sounds like an old wives tale to me!

[Mstiles in reply to Pat9442]

Thank you!

[CT-5012]

I too was on Latanoprost for some years for Glaucoma until it stopped working for some reason. Now on a different one. The eye changes are mostly found in people from Japan and are rare. Sorry about the long lashes. It has saved my eyesight. 👀

[Mstiles in reply to CT-5012]

Thanks CT. I really have to work in my fears when i need to take meds. Don’t know where that came from, my mom was a nurse after all.

[HeronNS in reply to CT-5012]

I think it's fairly standard that glaucoma meds do only work for a certain length of time before they need to be replaced. My husband has discovered that since he's had a cataract operation his ocular pressure is normal. Although he continues to be monitored he hasn't needed drops for quite a long time.

[CT-5012 in reply to HeronNS]

I think I had been on them about three years before they stopped working, doc said that happens quite often. As the Aussies say “not a drama she’ll be apples”.....????? 🙃

[Hidden]

Hey Mstiles, sorry you might have to be on another med... but, silver lining... Longer lashes and maybe only one eye will turn brown and one will stay green, like those cool dogs? ... a Siberian Husky?

[Mstiles in reply to Hidden]

Ha ha! Leave it to you mamici to come up with a creative solution. Love it.

[Hidden in reply to Mstiles]

🤣

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Mstiles, worry not! I am one of the world's worst at taking medications (allergic reactions galore) but have been using Latanaprost for ocular hypertension for some years without any problems. I still have the blue eyes I was born with, the only side effect being longer lashes but hey isn't that a bonus? I do have one very blonde set of lashes and a darker set - match the Mallen streak in my hair - a freak of nature! So mascara is a must! Could have been worse, I suppose - I did once work with someone who had one bright blue eye and one dark brown one.

There is every possibility that your eye pressure will return to normal as you reduce/get off the steroids - meanwhile, I do hope the reassurance from everyone here with their experience helps.

[Mstiles in reply to Celtic]

Yes it sure does, it’s a lifesaver getting report from everyone. Thank you so much. Longer lashes would be great considering the sad state of my hair right now thanks Celtic

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Mstiles]

I know what a worry it is when our ‘crowning glory’ starts disappearing down the plug hole, but it will improve as you reduce the steroids, I promise.

[Mstiles in reply to Celtic]

Thanks Celtic. Holding on to hope that it will improve and come back.

[MaryA_]

Yes, I’m on it for glaucoma. (High pressure) Those thing you described are the side effects of it. I try yo be very conservative and not get a lot of the fluid around the eye, just in the eye. That’s hard to do sometimes. Guess the side effects are a price to pay so as not to loose the eye sight. Ask doctor if there is another brand that you can use. Maryanne

[Mstiles in reply to MaryA_]

Yes, the side effects are not bad when you consider sight loss! I’m hoping it’s from the pred and also the sometimes higher blood pressure I’ve had since all this. I never had a problem before PMR/GCA, hoping it will resolve once I taper down.

[HeronNS]

If the increased pressure was caused by pred it should return to, or close to, the former level as your dose lowers.

[Pollyanna16]

I was diagnosed with glocoma soon after starting Pred 7 years ago. It took a while to find drops that suited me. Some seemed to make my eyes very sensitive, including Latanaprost & the white of my eyes became dull😝. I do have very long lashes now 😁. Eventually settled on Travaprost & my pressures are down to 19 which is interesting as am down to 3.5/4. What I am trying to say is there are a few drops to try. Essential to use them! Good luck.

[Mstiles in reply to Pollyanna16]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

[Ronnie101]

As others have mentioned, I started on Latonoprost, but they stopped working. I was switched on to Timolol, which have controlled the pressure for a year, with no side effects I'm aware of.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is a topical drug - you can't become dependent on it.

As you reduce the pred the pressures should also reduce - but as long as they are monitoring the pressures you will be fine.

[Mstiles in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, yes hopefully the pressure will come down as I reduce

[Valeriebee]

I have been on Latanoprost eye drops for about two years. I started when my eye pressures were 28, as I reduced my prednisolone (now 4 mg) the eye pressure has reduced - now down to 20. My ophthalmologist suggested pinching the bridge of my nose for 30 seconds so the drops stayed in the eyes and didn't run down the nose!

[Mstiles in reply to Valeriebee]

Thanks for the tip.