Tamsulosin and Floppy Eye

Posted , 10 users are following.

Hello everyone, I was hoping to take a bit of a shortcut to find out more about this floppy eye from tamsulosin.

I have been taking it for over 15 years, and have not noticed a problem until recently. The strange thing is I was on a generic brand (ratio) and found it to be excellent. I'm in Canada and they no longer seem to be able to get it at our pharmacies. I tried the other generic brand (Sandoz) and have to admit I did not find it as effective.

So about 2 months ago I went on the Flomax brand and I am noticing driving at night to be really odd. Lights from other cars are way too bright. I think that everyone has their brights on. Seeing at night is more difficult too. Takes a few more seconds for eyes to focus in dark room.

I am 56 years old in good health other than the prostate and I am on prescribed TRT.

Can someone let me know what I am likely experiencing:

  1. Is this the onset of cateracts?
  2. Can it be caused by floppy eye, or is floppy eye something that just makes carteract surgery more difficult?
  3. Would floppy eye correct itself if I stopped tamsulosin?
  4. Any links to detailed floppy eye posts or websites would be excellent

Thanks so much for any insite,

Kevin

0 likes, 28 replies

28 Replies

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  • Posted

    It sounds to me what it was like when I began to suffer from cataracts. Everyone seemed to have their bright lights on with oncoming traffic. Also, I noticed that on two lane roads in the mountains where I live, I was having trouble seeing vehicles if they were in the shade on a sunny day. When they came out in the sun I'd see them but might not notice them as quickly in the shade. Lack of discerning contrast I think. My cataracts came on pretty fast; within about 1/2 year once they got going. But the new lenses I got made a world of difference. I didn't realize I was looking through a yellowish tint for months or even years.

  • Posted

    I was on Tamsulosin for several years and didn't realize the extent of the side effects. When it was time to have cataract surgery my doctor commented about the bad condition of my eyes. It limited the type of lens replacement that was available to me. In addition I was constantly stuffed up, my nose was very difficult to breathe through, worst at night. I stopped tamsulosin, taking more Cialis now and my nose has cleared up. I just feel way better off that drug.

    • Posted

      When you say taking more Cialis, how much are you prescribed or comfortabel taking?

    • Posted

      KCinToronto

      Was on 5mg per day then at GP's suggestion went to 10mg per day. I had him write a script for 20mg tablets and I split them. Get 88 for less than $40.

    • Posted

      So tell me do you take 5 mg twice a day or all 10 mg at once? I am guessing before bed? That is really cheap. 88 pills for less than $40.00? Where do you live?

    • Posted

      Live in San Diego. Pills through a Canadian pharmacy requires a doctors script. I split the 20mg pills and take 10 mg each morning at 8am.

  • Posted

    I asked an eye surgeon and optometrist - if they can be believed the only issue is cataract surgery is more difficult to perform. I was told I'd be asked to stop taking it a few weeks before surgery. I read that if you stop the floppy iris syndrome does not go away but I'm not sure if that is always true. Whatever the case the surgeon told me they can still do the surgery but they need to know in advance as it makes it more difficult.

    The bright lights might just be your vision changing from aging. I also asked Optometrist, she said it's aging. It's not onset of cataracts. I asked many times as I am suspicious but whoever I ask denies Tamsulosin causes anything apart from floppy iris.

    If I were you I'd see a specialist and have them examine you properly. (not an Optometrist a proper eye doctor)

    Regards,

    Michael

    • Posted

      "she said it's aging. It's not onset of cataracts" I'm just going from my experience. After the surgery and getting new lenses it fixed that glare problem. And I'm not getting any younger.

    • Posted

      Thanks Michael I will definitely get that set up. My larger fear is riding my motorcycle at night in the Summer. Those lights are getting brighter for sure.

    • Posted

      Keith if I understand you you had cataract surgery? If so I imagine that would improve everything, colors and glare. All I'm saying is that glare on it's own could be related to aging not necessarily meaning you need cataract surgery, or meaning Tamsulosin is causing cataracts.

      Having said that, who knows maybe they are all lying or just don't know, anything is possible. I certainly don't trust the drug companies. And I know my vision started to go downhill about a year or two after I started on these drugs. That's why I asked and everyone told me it's age related apart from floppy iris.

    • Posted

      Yes, there is no disagreement here. It did improve everything; well, not everything but I won't go into it as this is a thread about BPH drugs. I do cic and have never tried the drugs although my Uro prescribed me an alpha blocker. I never picked it up as cic working well for me... still is although my blockage problem is still about like before even after two years. I know, thats not a surprise. Hope you find the answer to your question.

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