Bisphosphonates and acute angle glaucoma - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

21,848 members41,450 posts

Bisphosphonates and acute angle glaucoma

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador
2 Replies

This appeared in my inbox today and I felt it needs to be posted as a warning to seek immediate medical advice if you have relevant symptoms.

medscape.com/viewarticle/bi...

Increased occular pressures are a risk with treatment with pred. The chronic sort is insidious and usually painless. It is recommended that when you are on pred you have regular checks of your eye pressure - this is commonly available at opticians in the UK - and if they are raised you are usually given eye drops to reduce the pressure. Longterm raised pressure can lead to damage to the retina and optic nerve and ultimately glaucome with a risk to vision so it is important to be aware and get the checks.

In contrast, there is an acute version of glaucoma which starts suddenly and progresses very quickly and is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY. It has recently been established that there is an increased risk if you are being treated with medications for osteoporosis.

Should you develop any of the following symptoms you should seek immediate medical advice, by going to the ED without ANY delay as vision loss can occur in hours. Symptoms include severe eye pain, blurred vision, halos, nausea, vomiting and red eye.

It is rare and an increase in risk still leaves it as being rare - but if you are on bisphosphonates you do need to be aware and not ignore severe eye pain but get immediate medical advice.

nhs.uk/conditions/glaucoma/

my.clevelandclinic.org/heal...

Written by
PMRpro profile image
PMRpro
Ambassador
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
2 Replies
Missus835 profile image
Missus835

Thanks for this Pro. My eyes constantly bother me. Attributing to dry eye or worst case, Sjogrens (because I do have all those symptoms) which I may never know, because no one is bothering to find out. Which I guess, is now not the worst case scenario. I do keep in touch with my Ophthamologist and have an appointment in April for follow-up. I've been using Tobradex drops which contain a steroid and antibiotic. These seem to help. Mentioned Sjogrens to my GP and of course got the familiar blank stare. LOL.

Lopera profile image
Lopera

Thank you for highlighting this. I hope that once I get to an osteoporosis clinic, I will be able to get off the bisphosphonates and on to one of the bone building drugs. 😵‍💫

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

PMR, low pressure closed angle glaucoma and prednisolone

Hi regarding questions re level of Pred taken for PMR and the effect on eye pressures. I have low...
Wraysbury profile image

Prednisolone, GCA and Glaucoma dilemmas

The recent thread about GCA and Glaucoma has made me concerned that people think that Glaucoma is a...
Roltuba profile image

Importance of regular eye exams with PMR/GCA

I saw my very well equipped Optician today for a series of eye examinations, my last test was 2018,...

Glaucoma

Have been diagnosed with P.M.R since Feb,24. Put on 15mg Prednisolone. Have increased to 23mg due...
Milkshake99 profile image

Glaucoma Diagnosis

Glaucoma Diagnosis Today I was diagnosed with (probable) steroid induced Glaucoma and Cataracts. I...
NZShez profile image

Moderation team

SophieMB profile image
SophieMBPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.