How Prostate Medicine Could Affect Your Eyesight
A lot of men take prostate drugs to help with symptoms like having to go to the bathroom a lot, having weak urine flow, or going to the bathroom at night. These drugs can make you feel a lot better and improve your quality of life. But new health research shows that one common prostate drug may also make it more likely that you will get angle-closure glaucoma, a sudden and dangerous eye problem.
When fluid in the eye can’t drain properly, the pressure in the eye suddenly rises. If you don’t treat it right away, it could cause permanent vision loss.
Drugs used to treat prostate conditions may lead to angle-closure glaucoma.
Recent studies indicate that men consuming a specific prostate medication possess approximately a 50% elevated risk of abrupt ocular obstruction in contrast to non-users. The longer you take the drug, the higher the risk becomes.
The medicine works by relaxing the muscles in the prostate, which makes it easier for urine to flow. But it might also change how the eye muscles work. For some men, this can make the drainage angle in the eye suddenly get smaller or close. When that happens, the pressure rises quickly, causing painful and urgent symptoms.
Some common signs of angle-closure glaucoma are:
- Pain in the eye that comes on suddenly
- Vision that is not clear
- Headache
- Seeing rings of different colors around lights
- Feeling sick or throwing up
If you have any of these symptoms, you need to see a doctor right away. You can save your eyesight by getting treatment right away.
How to Keep Your Eyes Safe
Men who take prostate drugs shouldn’t worry, but they should stay up to date. Always let your eye doctor know if you take any medicine for your prostate. Regular eye exams can help find problems early and stop them from getting worse.
Talk to your doctor about your own risk of glaucoma before starting or continuing prostate medication. You can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option to make the best decision for your health. Being aware and acting quickly can help keep both your prostate and your eyesight healthy.
