Many of us take various prescriptions as we get older, but we often forget that these drugs can impact our eyes. It’s a common mistake to assume a new symptom is just “getting old” when it might be a side effect.
Check your labels:
Some blood pressure meds or antihistamines can cause severe dryness or blurred vision.
Talk to your specialist:
Always give your optometrist a full list of your current medications. They need to know about more than just your eye drops to give you an accurate diagnosis.
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I never even thought about this. I’ve been taking a new allergy pill and my eyes have been like sandpaper lately.
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This is so true. My husband started a diuretic and his vision got slightly blurry. We were worried it was something serious, but it was just the meds.
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Does this include over-the-counter stuff too?
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Yes, even things like Ibuprofen or herbal supplements can have an effect if you take them regularly. Always best to disclose everything.
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Wow, I’ve been seeing my eye doctor for 10 years and I don’t think I’ve ever updated my med list with them. I’ll do that next time.
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I had a scare last year with what I thought was worsening cataracts. Turns out it was a side effect of a steroid cream I was using for a skin condition near my face. It really pays to be thorough with the doctors because they don’t always talk to each other across different practices.
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Great reminder. Printing out my list now for my Tuesday appointment.
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Thanks for posting this. It’s easy to overlook the ‘whole body’ connection when we’re just focused on our sight.
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