PMR, low pressure closed angle glaucoma and prednisolone

[Wraysbury]

Hi regarding questions re level of Pred taken for PMR and the effect on eye pressures. I have low pressure (12) closed angle glaucoma and was seen at Worcs by the nursing team today. U don’t get to see an Opthalmologist, he just lks at the notes afterwards and informs them and they let u know what to do! I’ve perminantly lost more vision in past 6 months but told, its not too much! For who I asked! I think they wd take it seriously if it was them! Anyway, I started Pred 15mgs 7 wks ago for PMR and now my pressures are 20. Eye drops are being changed and I’m being seen again in 4 months. So I conclude from that that 15 mgs for me is a level that definitely affects my eyes. But of cors we are all different.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

My eye pressures rose, not enough to warrant drops, just monitoring, so not the same situation as yours, but they started to drop around 8mg (may have been 9mg as I was checked every 3 months). 6 months later when I was down to 6.5mg they were back in the normal range - signed off by Eye Clinic.

Surprising how blasé some staff appear - probably a case of “can’t happen to me”. Others however can be very sympathetic and understanding.

Mine was picked up by optometrist at annual eye check - a year into my Pred journey and down to 20mg. What level it started, who knows!

[Hidden]

Not sure how your closed angle glaucoma manifests itself. I had narrow angle glaucoma and when I had to take Prednisone was advised I needed I should have lasar surgery to keep the pressure in my eyes down. The procedure was called an iridotomy. Not sure if that's something that could help you

[Wraysbury in reply to Hidden]

I’ve had that to correct the acute closed angle G, it is narrow angle now. My mistake!

[Hidden in reply to Wraysbury]

Did you have the iridotomy done?

[Wraysbury in reply to Hidden]

Yes.

[Linny3]

15mg for a year has weakened my bones and now I have osteoporosis and the pressure in my eyes is raising. Normal but going up. Can't seem to get below 12 mg. I had the shingle shot before I was diagnosed with pmr and think that is how I contracted the pmr.

[Hidden]

Sorry I reread your message and see you already had the procedure. Am surprised your eye pressure is still going up.

[Wraysbury in reply to Hidden]

I always had normal pressure, but by the time I had the laser treatment I’d already lost a substantial amount of central vision in both eyes. The post op check was fine. Then my 6 month post op check, having started prednisolone, the pressures were high and I’ve lost more vision. So they’re putting it down to the Pred and said the new drops will bring the pressures down 🤞

[Hidden in reply to Wraysbury]

Sorry to hear about your problem. I do hope it gets all straightened out for you. It must be very scary knowing your eyesight could be in jeopardy. Be well.

[Wraysbury in reply to Hidden]

Thanks

[CT-5012]

Hi, I was diagnosed with Glaucoma 31st Dec 2013 and was offered the opportunity to join an international research program, laser treatment done that afternoon. New Years Day comments were all “must have been some party, look at your eyes”. I have a check up every six months as part of the program a year later the pressures started to rise and started with drops. In May 2016 diagnosed with PMR/GCA in Dec that year the pressures rose and the drops were changed and I have been fine since then. I asked if this was caused by pred and the reply was not necessarily as quite a lot of people had to change drops who had never taken pred. Hope all goes well for you.

[Wraysbury in reply to CT-5012]

Thanks 🙏

[Hidden]

I had closed angle glaucoma and was advised to get an iridotomy to prevent pressure from building in my eyes due to Prednisone usage. I had it done last February. Not sure where you are and have they suggested that?

[Hidden]

Sorry.....did it again and answered your post ...I will try and use the excuse that it is "pred head". What more can I say .... But sorry. I used to be a well organized intelligent woman, then along came PMR.

[Wraysbury in reply to Hidden]

Yes and me. 😩