Retina Problems & Bladder Medication?

 

Did you know that the common bladder medication Elmiron (Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium) prescribed for Interstitial Cystitis may be associated with retinal damage? Interstitial Cystitis causes chronic pain in the bladder and pelvis area for more than 1 million people in the United States. Elmiron is the only FDA-approved pill to treat it-but we now know that this medication may be toxic to the macula, or central area of the retina. It is recommended that if you are taking this medication, you should have a screening for retina damage at least once a year even if you show no signs of damage. If you show any signs of damage your eye doctor will need to alert your Urologist or Ob/Gyn that it might be necessary to discontinue the medication. The good news is that if identified early, the damage may be mitigated by stopping the medication. In the late-stage, toxicity can mimic late-stage dry atrophic age-related macular degeneration and result in permanent vision loss.

If you or someone you know has been taking Elmiron for Interstitial Cystitis please schedule an appointment for an eye exam today at Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, or Facebook.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 851 Eastport Center Drive, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1003 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.