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What to do about Eye Pressure & Glaucoma Danger?

Dreambirdie

work in progress
Messages
5,569
Location
N. California
I've had 3 incidents of rather severe eye pain and temporary distortion of vision in the past 2 weeks. They all happened in the morning, not long after I woke up. They each lasted btwn 10-20 minutes, during which the pain moved from just below my eyebrow and under my eye into the very center of my eye, became a bit intense for a while, then eventually dissipated. I had distorted vision for about an hour or two after each episode.

The last of these eye pain incidents was yesterday morning. So I got myself in to see the eye doctor yesterday afternoon and had the problem checked out. He said my eye looked fine, that there was no damage to the optic nerve, and that everything "looked clean and normal." He checked the eye pressure which was normal too.

After examining my eye, he told me that I have very narrow eye drainage channels and that makes me more prone to glaucoma, specifically to incidents of angle closure glaucoma, which are much worse than the incidents I experienced and are a medical emergency. He said this could be remedied by having a laser surgery to open the channel and make it bigger. I told him I was not inclined towards doing any surgery on my eye. He said for now he wants me to monitor the problem and make note of any other incidents I have, when they occur, how long they last, etc, and check in with him if they continue happening.

I am looking in to what I can do to help the circulation in my eye, so that this doesn't happen anymore. And what I can do if and when it does happen, to help to quickly relieve the eye pressure in those moments.

Any input regarding eye health would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
 

Dreambirdie

work in progress
Messages
5,569
Location
N. California
I just received a very helpful response from someone in my FB group. (below)

It makes sense, because I have been taking high doses of Isoquercitin lately for pollen allergies, and the eye incidents correspond to the time after my morning dose. It's a pisser because the Isoquercitin is helping manage my really bad allergies and now I am afraid to take it. :(


Other Medication
top
Q.
Is it safe to take antihistamines if you have glaucoma? I've heard conflicting advice.
A.
We’ve all read the labels on over-the-counter cold and allergy medications that say do not take if you have glaucoma But it really depends on which type of glaucoma you have. Antihistamines generally have no effect on open-angle glaucoma. — the most common type. But people with closed-angle glaucoma, also called narrow-angle glaucoma or angle-closure glaucoma, should avoid or use them with caution. This is because antihistamines may cause enlargement (dilation) of the pupil and provoke angle closure in people with narrow angles.
 

maryb

iherb code TAK122
Messages
3,602
Location
UK
What bad luck when a med or supplement is working. Glad you found out what may be the cause though. We don't need eye problems on top of everything else.

I find it very interesting the differences between our 2 countries and the healthcare systems.
You say you went to see the eye doctor the same day - in the UK we would have to go to see our GP for any health concerns - they would make a referral if they thought it necessary to a specialist. Then we would wait for that which could be 2-6months.
Alternatively we could go to A & E which is the same as your ER.

Or do you call opticians eye doctors?
 

Dreambirdie

work in progress
Messages
5,569
Location
N. California
Hi maryb--Yes, it sucks that I can't take my isoquercitin. Arrrggggh!

My eye doctor is an optometrist. He's as good as any opthalmologist and has years of experience, and all the fancy equipment necessary to do a thorough examination. I have no insurance so I pay out of pocket.
 

maryb

iherb code TAK122
Messages
3,602
Location
UK
Well thanks for that info Db it made me look up the difference between optometrist and optician - very useful for future reference.
 

merylg

Senior Member
Messages
841
Location
Sydney, NSW, Australia
Hi Db,
I had similar sudden event behind & into eyeballs, popping sensation & pressure into eyeballs but also some temporary shrinkage of the size of the eyeballs.
I was on a lot of B12 sub-lingual at the time plus 2 weeks on Gabapentin 100 mg. Pretty much have had Dry Eye ever since, & am missing Lipid Layer of tear film. Pressures were surprisingly on low side of normal (10 and still are).

I also got the best help from my 2 local Optometrists, who recommended Fish Oil 3000mg/day. Takes a month or so to start helping the Dry Eye. It does help b/c I notice if I stop. I've reduced to 1000mg/day now. Seems enough.

I have since been to two Opthalmologists (Medical specialists) and a 1 min consult with a Neuro Opthalmologist...All these had no explanation of my sudden eye event. My eyes tested normal except for the Dry Eye,

It all leads me to think it was some Glaucoma-type event, perhaps toxic & or inflammatory, from too much B12 building up in my system (shown on blood tests) plus Gabapentin. I straight away reduced my B12 & stopped Gabapentin. I now no longer tolerate any dose of supplemental B12.

The above explanation, is perhaps combined with fragile eyes due to the Connective Tissue Disorder that other Drs & I have concluded I probably have eg Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. The plot thickens :p ...the investigations are ongoing...sigh...

Meanwhile I'm re-introducing the supplements that support fragile connective tissue mentioned here:
http://forums.phoenixrising.me/inde...rome-stretchy-veins.20351/page-24#post-340216

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glaucoma I notice there are a lot of possible causes of the sudden painful event type of Glaucoma.
23andMe put me at higher risk for Exfoliation Glaucoma.
 

Dreambirdie

work in progress
Messages
5,569
Location
N. California
Hi Db,
I had similar sudden event behind & into eyeballs, popping sensation & pressure into eyeballs but also some temporary shrinkage of the size of the eyeballs.
I was on a lot of B12 sub-lingual at the time plus 2 weeks on Gabapentin 100 mg. Pretty much have had Dry Eye ever since, & am missing Lipid Layer of tear film. Pressures were surprisingly on low side of normal (10 and still are).

I also got the best help from my 2 local Optometrists, who recommended Fish Oil 3000mg/day. Takes a month or so to start helping the Dry Eye. It does help b/c I notice if I stop. I've reduced to 1000mg/day now. Seems enough.

It all leads me to think it was some Glaucoma-type event, perhaps toxic & or inflammatory, from too much B12 building up in my system (shown on blood tests) plus Gabapentin. I straight away reduced my B12 & stopped Gabapentin. I now no longer tolerate any dose of supplemental B12.

The above explanation, is perhaps combined with fragile eyes due to the Connective Tissue Disorder that other Drs & I have concluded I probably have eg Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. The plot thickens :p ...the investigations are ongoing...sigh...

Meanwhile I'm re-introducing the supplements that support fragile connective tissue mentioned here:
http://forums.phoenixrising.me/inde...rome-stretchy-veins.20351/page-24#post-340216

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glaucoma I notice there are a lot of possible causes of the sudden painful event type of Glaucoma.

Hi meryl--Thanks. Though now I am even more confused, because just recently I upped my dose of B12. So is it the quercitin or the B12, or both, that caused these eye pain and pressure incidents....?

I didn't know B12 could do this?

Thanks again for all the info. Much appreciated.
 

Dreambirdie

work in progress
Messages
5,569
Location
N. California
Sushi I know you have EDS, because you mentioned that to me. But I also know you get B12 injections. Do you find that this causes any eye issues for you, like it does for meryl?

Thanks in advance for you input.
 

Sushi

Moderation Resource Albuquerque
Messages
19,935
Location
Albuquerque
Sushi I know you have EDS, because you mentioned that to me. But I also know you get B12 injections. Do you find that this causes any eye issues for you, like it does for meryl?

Thanks in advance for you input.

No, B12 (hydrox injections) doesn't bother my eyes, but I only inject .5 mg.

Sushi
 

merylg

Senior Member
Messages
841
Location
Sydney, NSW, Australia
Db,
The potential toxicity of B12 can occur in Mitochondrial Disease...Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy.
I'm also being investigated for Mitochondrial Diseases.
My event could have been soley due to Gabapentin. I was also taking other methylation protocol supplements.
 

Dreambirdie

work in progress
Messages
5,569
Location
N. California
No, B12 (hydrox injections) doesn't bother my eyes, but I only inject .5 mg.

Sushi

Okay Sushi, that's good to know. If I'm doing the math correctly .5 mg is 500 mcg, which is what I usually take. Just lately I experimented with more, but for now I will stick to 500.

Are you taking any other methylation supps, like methylfolate or folinic acid?
 

Ema

Senior Member
Messages
4,729
Location
Midwest USA
Pretty much have had Dry Eye ever since, & am missing Lipid Layer of tear film.

You might consider looking at DHEA drops. Dry eyes were one of my most bothersome symptoms for a while and now I am not bothered at all. DHEA in the eyes does not go systemic in the body either which may be seen as a plus by some.

I would talk to a compounding pharmacist first especially if you live outside of a major metropolitan area. I have yet to find an optometrist that has ever heard of using DHEA this way even when the literature is chock full of references to it.

"Androgens appear to regulate meibomian gland function, improve the quality and/or quantity of lipids produced by this tissue and promote the formation of the tear film's lipid layer. Androgen deficiency during menopause or aging is associated with meibomian gland dysfunction, tear film instability and an increase in dry eye signs and symptoms. (Reference: Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol. 2004 Feb;79(2):49-50)"

Ema
 

Dreambirdie

work in progress
Messages
5,569
Location
N. California
You might consider looking at DHEA drops. Dry eyes were one of my most bothersome symptoms for a while and now I am not bothered at all. DHEA in the eyes does not go systemic in the body either which may be seen as a plus by some.

I would talk to a compounding pharmacist first especially if you live outside of a major metropolitan area. I have yet to find an optometrist that has ever heard of using DHEA this way even when the literature is chock full of references to it.

"Androgens appear to regulate meibomian gland function, improve the quality and/or quantity of lipids produced by this tissue and promote the formation of the tear film's lipid layer. Androgen deficiency during menopause or aging is associated with meibomian gland dysfunction, tear film instability and an increase in dry eye signs and symptoms. (Reference: Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol. 2004 Feb;79(2):49-50)"

Ema

This is really interesting, Ema. I already take 7KetoDHEA internally, (because I don't tolerate the regular DHEA). But I have never heard of DHEA eye drops.

Most eye doctors are so conservative, that I wouldn't expect them to be aware of these things. The one I saw was quick to recommend laser surgery, but knows nothing about any natural remedies for eye health. He gave me a sample box of eye drops from the drug store, which was the best he could offer.

I will have to ask my compounding pharmacist about the DHEA. I am pretty sure my ND would prescribe it if I need her to do so.

Thanks for this.

One question: Did you notice any bad eye effects from taking rosmarinic acid? I have stopped the Isoquerciton, and am now hesitant to try the rosmarinic, due to the possibility that it might increase glaucoma risk. My allergies are worse again. I am hoping rosmarinic would be okay.
 

Sushi

Moderation Resource Albuquerque
Messages
19,935
Location
Albuquerque
Dreambirdie

Look carefully at the ingredients of eye drops from a pharmacy. Some may contain a form of ephinephrine--at least the dialating drops do, don't know about the "dry eyes" drops.

Sushi
 

Ema

Senior Member
Messages
4,729
Location
Midwest USA
I will have to ask my compounding pharmacist about the DHEA. I am pretty sure my ND would prescribe it if I need her to do so.

One question: Did you notice any bad eye effects from taking rosmarinic acid? I have stopped the Isoquerciton, and am now hesitant to try the rosmarinic, due to the possibility that it might increase glaucoma risk. My allergies are worse again. I am hoping rosmarinic would be okay.

I got my DHEA drops from my local compounding pharmacy but threads like these are where I first heard of them:

http://www.dryeyezone.com/talk/showthread.php?998-DHEA-Eye-Drops

Leiter's Pharmacy is in CA though and I think they are the ones who first started doing it. You might call and talk to their pharmacist about it. He is supposedly very nice and knowledgeable.

I didn't notice any bad eye effects from the rosmarinic acid. I still had the dryness at that point but that pre and post dated my use of that supplement. I suppose I would just start slowly and make sure you don't have any recurrence of the eye pain. Sorry that's not very helpful...

Ema
 

Dreambirdie

work in progress
Messages
5,569
Location
N. California
"Androgens appear to regulate meibomian gland function, improve the quality and/or quantity of lipids produced by this tissue and promote the formation of the tear film's lipid layer. Androgen deficiency during menopause or aging is associated with meibomian gland dysfunction, tear film instability and an increase in dry eye signs and symptoms. (Reference: Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol. 2004 Feb;79(2):49-50)"

Hi Ema--My ND "can't find a single scientific citation on the safe use of intraocular DHEA. still looking..."

Is the above somehow linked to one? I can't make that happen? If you can, or you know of a study or 2, can you find them for me, please?

Thanks.
 

Ema

Senior Member
Messages
4,729
Location
Midwest USA
Hi Ema--My ND "can't find a single scientific citation on the safe use of intraocular DHEA. still looking..."

Is the above somehow linked to one? I can't make that happen? If you can, or you know of a study or 2, can you find them for me, please?

Thanks.

Check out the work of David Sullivan, a Harvard researcher on the effects of androgens on dry eye.

http://demo.joomlahelplive.com/SERI/research-storydevid/david-sullivan-phd/research-story.html

Also, you could call the Leiter pharmacy I mentioned. If anyone would know of articles, I bet they would.

I have a feeling that the journal cited above is Spanish but I can look at it more tomorrow.

Ema
 

Ema

Senior Member
Messages
4,729
Location
Midwest USA
For information about DHEA see, for example, "Cornea: New Studies May Help Allergy and Dry Eye Sufferers," an article in Review of Optometry (search for DHEA to find this article, dated May 15, 2002), which states: "Researchers at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tenn., compared the efficacy of artificial tears to tears supplemented with DHEA (a steroid hormone with 5% the androgenic activity of testosterone) ... test results improved with DHEA-supplemented tears. Dry eye patients may benefit from the addition of androgenic hormones to artificial tears."