Glaucoma Suspect

Hello,
I was told that I'm a Glaucoma Suspect by my Opthamologist back in 2004. My IOP was 22 in one eye and 23 in the other. Everything else looked normal. Prior to this, I had been on antidepressants that caused some temporary double vision and cortisteriods for Bronchitis, and antihistamines for allergies.

Anyway, my Eye Dr. immediately placed me on Xalatan drops, and my pressure has been normal since then. However, I'm expereincing a lot of bronchitis symptoms: shortness of breath, etc. Do you think the Xalatan drops could be contributing to this? Do you think any of the medications I was on prior to the diagnosis could have caused the increase in eye pressure?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

The medications you have taken in the past did not increase the pressure in your eyes. Xalatan is the #1 glaucoma drop in the USA and much of the rest of the world. It will not cause bronchitis.

Some glaucoma mediciations can cause breathing difficulties and brochitis they are called beta blockers (example timalol).

JCH III MD