Can Aleve cause eye problems?

[Shoomee]

Thank you so much for this great service.
I started taking Aleve for arthritis pain, 2 x day.  After a few days I developed a chronic headache and my eyes felt like they were going to pop or like they were bulging (they looked ok).  I thought it was stress at first but decided I should stop taking the Aleve. My symptoms stopped when I stopped the Aleve.

Coincidence? Have you ever heard of eye damage as a side effect of Aleve? Would it be safe to do a trial to see if the symptoms repeat?

I ask because the Aleve significantally reduced my arthritis pain.

I have a history of a retinal tear as well as a family history of macular degeneration on both sides. I am 57- female.

[Houman Vosoghi, MD]

First, go see a glaucoma specialist ot make sure you do not have narrow angle glaucoma.  The symptoms you describe may be due to elevated eye pressure.  They could also do a complete eye exam to check everything else as well.  I haven't had many patients have any such side effects with Aleve so you need to make sure there is nothing else wrong.  If you are farsighted or have a PLUS perscription for your glasses, that makes narrow angle glaucoma more of a possibility.  Bottom line, a full eye exam including gonioscopy prior to dilation is required so make an appointment with an ophthalmologist.  You could find one at www.aao.org and search by specialty to find one.

HV

[Shoomee]

Thank you for your answer. I see my ophthalmologist yearly to monitor my eye health. The symptoms I described happened only a month past my last appt. However, I will take your advice and see my eye doc ahead of schedule. Thanks again.