FAQs / I Have Glaucoma and Arthritis. Is It Okay to Take Ibuprofren?

QUESTION:

Hi Dr. I hated to bother you, but I have tried everything and just can not find an answer. My own eye Dr did not know. I have GLAUCOMA and I am on many eye drops for treatment. I also have arthritis and NEED to take over the counter pain meds. I have heard that I should NOT take aspirin. Is it OK to take ibuprofen? I do not over use, just enough to take the edge off the pain of arthritis. (once or twice a day.)

Please help me I don’t want to do anything that would be harmful to my GLAUCOMA

J*** via Email

ANSWER:

Dear J***,

Please understand that I cannot provide specific recommendations for you without having a first-hand knowledge of your ocular condition. That being said, I can share with you what I tell my own patients. For those with significant arthritis I generally recommend oral supplementation with Curcumin (by Life Extension) and/or PEA (by Vitalitus). Recommended dosing and potential drug interactions are listed on the New-Glaucoma-Treatments.com website.

I also recommend discontinuing Glucosamine/Chondroitin (if being used to treat arthritis) as it can elevate intraocular pressure.

With regard to aspirin and ibuprofen, I neither recommend for or against use of those analgesics if needed for pain control.

Hope this was helpful.

Warm regards,
David Richardson, MD
Patient-Focused Ophthalmologist

San Marino Eye
2020 Huntington Drive
San Marino, CA 91108
626.289.7856

Patient-Focused Websites:
New-Glaucoma-Treatments.com
About-Eyes.com

Posted in: Glaucoma, Other Concerns