Question: I am hearing those taking Flomax will have trouble during cataract surgery. Is it true? Is there really any connection between a prescription med like this and cataract surgery complications?
You are right to be somewhat concerned. Flomax users do have a higher risk for cataract surgery complications. Here’s why.
As one ages cataracts are common. And so is BPH or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia for men. For those contemplating surgery to deal with the cataracts you may have problems if you are taking Flomax to treat your urinary difficulties. Unless you understand why and alert all involved.
You see the problem is Flomax is often prescribed for BPH. It is an alpha blocker which relaxes the smooth muscles around the urinary tract to relieve the painful symptoms commonly associated with BPH. It works well. Men taking this often experience amazing relief many times in a matter of days.
So where does cataract come in? Cataracts, as you know, are the clouding of the lens of the eye. This cloudy lens results in diminished clarity of vision. The only way to treat cataracts is to remove the natural lens and replace it with an artificial one. So far no problems, as success rate of cataract operation are high.
Men who are taking Flomax or any alpha blocker before surgery may have increased risk of problems however. Including retinal detachment, lost lens, and lens fragmentation.
Why is this? Why does this happen? Any alpha blocking drug such as Flomax relaxes the smooth muscles around the iris too. This can lead to a condition called Intra-operative Floppy Iris Syndrome or IFIS. Trying to keep this simple is just means it increases the risk of complications during cataract surgery.
This is why you need to let your surgeon know. During pre-surgery consultation, ask your surgeon if you need to stop, delay or avoid taking it so you can avoid any potential complications.
The take away? Given that today the most commonly performed operation in the US is cataract surgery you need to understand the risks. You also need to know this. That you will likely have a successful outcome as long as your surgeon knows you’re taking Flomax so they can plan accordingly.
Having a higher than expected Gleason score can be worrisome. Maybe you’ve read about the new Provenge vaccine and want to know more. Or perhaps side effects of Flomax are on your mind. If you have questions about prostate problems that need answers you should definitely visit ProblemProstate.com.