Pred and pressure

[Lancashirelass07]

Hi all ,wondering if the pred is the cause of raise ocular pressure, never had trouble before and had cataracts surgery 3years ago. The leaflet with side effects does mention it

[SnazzyD]

Yes, it can raise ocular pressure. I had my pressures checked every 3 months until it was clear they weren’t changing for a year.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Possibly but probably - no way of knowing unless you had had pressures checked before.

[Blearyeyed]

Yes , a number of drugs can cause mild to moderate increases in ocular pressure including steroids and antibiotics.

Just ( pardon the pun) keep an eye on it , if it feels very unusual or you have a feeling of bruised pain or feeling of swelling that feels uncomfortable or you feel your vision is being affected go and have your eyes checked.

If you have other eye issues unrelated to your PMR this can also affect pressure too and the steroids can add to that change.

[HeronNS]

Yes, this was one of the side effects I experienced when I first started pred. It came down as my dose tapered, and never got quite to the level of needing drops, but pretty close. The eye doctor saw me every four months and even now he likes me to go once a year rather than the standard two years I'd been doing for many years, and will I think expect to see me annually until I'm not taking any pred at all.

I proactively had an early checkup and I'm glad I did. There are no symptoms, at least not in the early stages. Damage can occur without you even knowing, so it is important to have this checkup.

[whitefishbay]

I don’t know but I now have to put drops in one eye each night. Perhaps it’s just ageing....

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

More than likely, although as you reduce the steroids the pressure should return to normal. But worth monitoring it, because, as said, other things can raise it as well.

[clieder]

Yes, it can contribute. I have had ocular hypertension (18-24) since I was first tested for it about 40 years ago, so annual checks were always the norm. Only just started on corrective drops about 10 years ago. Last year, when I had two steroid injections for my back in addition to having to increase prednisone for an accompanying flare, it climbed to 30 and I had to go to a stronger drop. Have settled in at about 17 - 20 now. The somewhat higher pressure is "normal" for me and there has been no retinal damage to date. The point is, getting a baseline from an opthalmologist and a check of your general eye health is important so that any effect prednisone (or other meds) may have is recognized and treated accordingly. As HeronNS said, it is kind of sneaky - one would probably never know that one's ocular pressure is higher. Good to keep things in check.

[Hidden]

It definitely did for me. I had been experiencing a considerable amount of pressure across both eyes and my temples. My eyeballs actually hurt if I moved them from left to right too quickly. The pressure increased if i bent over to pick something from the floor and at times i had to close my eyes it felt so uncomfortable.

I called the PMRGCA helpline the weekend before the one just gone...as the vision in my right eye was blurry enough for me not to be able to read the subtitles on the television.

I didnt have any pain in either temple. No headache.. no jaw claudication. I didnt want to burden the NHS with a waste trip unecessarily. I was encouraged to go to see a medical professional regardless; and it was reiterated that vision problems were always to be taken seriously.

Long story short...I have raised intraocular pressure. Seeing opthamologist this Thursday for a thorough check. Apparently some people develop raised pressure on pred. Its manageable...and just needs to be kept in check!

[Lancashirelass07 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks ,Iam waiting to see consultant.hopiing it reduces with the tapering of pred

[Hidden in reply to Lancashirelass07]

Hopefully it will indeed!

[yogabonnie]

I had raised levels at the last eye exam too. She wants to see me in 3 months. Must be the prednisone. And cataracts there but not there enough to take away! (alas..have to pony up for ANOTHER pair of glasses as prescription changed again.)

[Lancashirelass07 in reply to yogabonnie]

Yes, it seems its all pay one way or another !!

[greenheath]

Hello Lancashirelass et al

I've been suffering from raised ocular pressure and a dull ache down the right side of my head, from crown to jaw. I also have irregular double vision in my right eye.

I had a very bad fall 18 months ago and fell backwards, splitting my head open, which required stitches and many tests during 30 hours in hospital.

Recently saw a Neurologist who is sending me for an MRI shortly. I also visited Moorfields Eye Hospital in London and had tons of tests, but they found nothing.

Visited my local optician and he diagnosed Blepharitis - but I'm not convinced.

Any more thoughts anyone?

Greenheath