Glaucoma versus steroid ointment for Lichen Sclerosus (LS)?
Posted , 4 users are following.
I just learned that if you have glaucoma you shouldn't use steroids. I have Lichen Sclerosus and have been using Clobetesol Propionate Ointment USP, 0.05% externally 2.5 years. I now have to get cataracts done on my eyes and the doctors are having trouble reducing the pressure in my eyes, especially my right eye, which has a disease called Pseudo Exfoliation Syndrome which makes glaucoma worse. Has anyone experienced this? What happened? Were you able to get the steroid reduced? eliminated? What happened with anyone with this complication? Anyone?
0 likes, 5 replies
mrsmop micheline16004
Posted
Hi Micheline, I hadn't heard of Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome, so I looked it up.
I think from the way you speak, you are under Ophthalmologists, are you in the UK?
Your Ophthalmologist needs to talk to the doctor who is looking after your Lichen Sclerosus
I sometimes develop glaucoma and have to use drops. I use Cosopt which are preservative free because the preservatives in eye drops cause more problems.
I have a different disease & am taking oral steroids, plus steroid eye drops. I have had both cataracts done.
But, do talk to your doctors & get them to talk to each other. Good luck
micheline16004 mrsmop
Posted
Thank you for your reply mrsmop. Sorry for the delay. Just found out my email address was blocked for some reason, so never got notificaiton of your reply until I came searching. I was wondering why no one replied.
Yes, I am under Ophthalmologists but in Ottawa Canada. Having her talk to my LS doctor is not going to be easy. Doctors don't usually talk to each other, but I'll certainly try. I didn't know you could "sometimes" develop glaucoma. You mean it goes away by itself sometimes? I thought once you have it, you have it for good. I was taking Latanoprost at first (a drop in both eyes at night) when the glaucoma started. Then after developing the exfoliation, they gave me a stronger one Duotrav. And on Friday with still increased pressure I was given an extra one to take twice a day with the Duotrav called Simbrimza which is an elevated intraocular pressure therapy to lower it. I was told they can't remove the cataracts until the pressure is removed. Did you encounter this problem before you had your cataracts removed? How did it go? Looking forward to your reply.
mrsmop micheline16004
Posted
I'll send you a private message too, when I have answered your post.
When I have drops for glaucoma, the pressure drops again - they call mine secondary glaucoma. When the pressure drops, I come off the drops until the next flare.
When I say 'talk to each other' I mean write letters or emails to each other. When the hospital doctors in the UK see a patient, they write a letter to the patient's GP. If you have a lot of doctors caring for you, the good ones, will copy in all the doctors. The other alternative, is for the patient to get copies of the letters from their GPs & take them to each consultation to show the specialist.
I was fortunate that I was under Moorfields Hospital in London, so they are a Specialist eye hospital
micheline16004 mrsmop
Posted
Thank you for your reply. Yes, come to think of it, when I saw recently saw a thyroid specialist, she said she would send a letter to my GP. Thank you for reminding me.
Secondary glaucoma sounds like you have something that precipitates your glaucoma. Do you have LS and take steroids? Right now, I too am seeing the main Eye Institute in Ottawa at the General Hospital. But the cataract specialists seem to be new. The older ones that were there have retired. Could be better or worst. Who knows.
Will wait for your private message. How do you send a private message?
Thanks mrsmop
Guest micheline16004
Posted
My doc told me that topical clob does not get absorbed into the system the way an oral steroid would. I also used clobetasol and asked the dr about the eye pressure. She said it should not affect the eyes.