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 call Ridgewood Eye Associates at 201-857-4999, visit Ridgewood Eye Associates or Facebook.
Ridgewood Eye Associates is a comprehensive eye care practice staffed by NJ ophthalmologist eye doctors and eye specialists located 1 W. Ridgewood Avenue, Suite 101, Paramus, New Jersey 07652, 201-857-4999, an affiliate of Prism Vision Group.
