Dry Eye & Overactive Bladder

Overactive Bladder Treatment & Dry Eye Problems

What does having an overactive bladder have to do with your eyes? Although you may be able to get to the toilet in time when you sense an urge to urinate, unexpected frequent urination and nighttime urination can disrupt your life. Overactive bladder (OAB), also known as overactive bladder syndrome, is a condition where there is a frequent feeling of needing to urinate to a degree that it negatively affects a person's life. The frequent need to urinate may occur during the day, at night, or both. Overactive bladder is estimated to occur in 7-27% of men and 9-43% of women. It becomes more common with age. Management of overactive bladder often begins with behavioral strategies, such as fluid schedules, adjusting the timing of urination and bladder-holding techniques using your pelvic floor muscles. If these initial efforts don't help enough with your overactive bladder symptoms your doctor may prescribe medications to help. BUT, these overactive bladder medications can cause dry eye symptoms. Researchers reported in the International Urogynecology Journal on108 women suffering from OAB who were started on oral medications to help with their symptoms. The researchers carefully evaluated their tear film and symptoms over three months of starting the medications. They found that there was a continuing worsening of the sensation of eye dryness, grittiness and burning along with observable decrease in the quality and quantity of the tear film. Thus, if you suffer from OAB and your doctor prescribes oral medications to help you, please bring this to our attention so we can offer help for your dry eyes before the symptoms become too uncomfortable.

Overactive bladder medications are known to cause or worsen dry eye problems. If you suffer from OAB and start one of these medications please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser.  Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.