Alrex

[REDEYESFORYEARS]

My doctor has me on Alrex for about 3 months twice a day. My IOP was 14 and 15. After three months it has risen to 18/18. Is this something to be alarmed about? My doctor did not seemed too concerned and said that I could continue to take the Alrex. What are the odds the Alrex will continue to raise my IOP?

[Sandra M Brown, MD]

Alrex is a very mild steroid eye drop that likely has a very low rate of complications such as causing an increase in IOP.  The change in your IOP from 14 /15 to 18 / 18 is within the range of normal fluctuation of IOP and does not indicate an "increase".  If your IOP was 21 / 22 on your next visit, this would be stronger evidence that the Alrex was increasing your eye pressure.  If it is working I would keep using it with regular followup visits to your eye doc.

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear redeyesforyears,

This intraocular pressure is still considered normal, but may depend upon the thickness of your cornea. As long as you are being monitored closely, I would follow your eyeMD’s advice.  Some individuals develop glaucoma and it is important for you to continue to be monitored.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California