Glaucoma, Eye Pressure & Allergy Steroid Inhalers
For certain patients taking oral
steroid medications for asthma or severe arthritis can actually elevate their
intraocular pressure (IOP) and cause them to develop glaucoma. In the recent
past, it has become very common to treat the symptoms of season allergies-such
as a runny nose, itching and sneezing, with Flonase® (Fluticasone) which is
administered with an inhaler. In fact Flonase® inhalers are now available “over
the counter” without a prescription at your local pharmacy so that you can just
buy them and begin treating yourself. Is it safe to use Flonase® inhalers if you
are at risk of high eye pressure and are you at even greater risk if you have ocular
hypertension or already have glaucoma? According to the results of a
clinical study, called the ICOUGH Study presented
in the Journal of Glaucoma, there
was no clinically significant increase in the average eye pressure in patients
with well-controlled open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension after 6 weeks
of twice-daily inhaled Flonase®. Thus, it is generally regarded as safe to use
OTC inhalers of Flonase® without causing an increased risk of glaucoma.
If you or someone you know is
concerned about their risk of glaucoma or needs to schedule and eye exam
including glaucoma testing, please call The Eye
Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center, Google+ or
facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.
The Eye
Care & Surgery Center is located at 592 Springfield Avenue,
Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059
and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout
central and northern New Jersey.
