Cataract Surgery And Flomax® - Current Recommendations


The American Academy of Ophthalmology has published advice for patients who take or have taken Flomax®, wishing to have cataract surgery. They recommended that people wishing to undergo corrective eye surgery, such as cataract removal, should advise their ophthalmologist of their drug use. The recent results, published in The Journal of The American Medical Association, have also been backed up by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Flomax® or Tamsulosin is a drug mainly used in the treatment of prostate gland enlargement and helps to prevent some of the symptoms that occur with it. It can also be used to treat problems such as high blood pressure, and urinary retention in both males and females. Flomax® is a so called ‘alpha blocker’, meaning it prevents some naturally occurring molecules from activating the alpha receptor. This drug has been shown in recent studies to increase the probability of side effects following cataract surgery.

It is vitally important that should someone be using this drug, when also wishing to have cataract surgery, they inform their ophthalmologist. This will allow them to plan the best and most effective way to remove the cataracts and restore the vision of the patient. If a patient already has cataracts, it would be advisable to try and have the necessary corrective surgery, before the drug treatment is started. It is also possible that the ophthalmologist may decide to try a different type of alpha blocker, as this may be less problematic when it comes to surgery.

Even though taking Flomax® may lead to a higher incidence of post-operative complications, it is important to note that with warning, ophthalmologists will be able to compensate for this and do the surgery that will give the best possible outcome. The risk of side-effects after cataract surgery even when using Flomax® is still very small and is even smaller if the ophthalmologist is warned in advance.

23rd October 2009

<<<more cataract news


Laser Eye Surgery Enquiry Form

Complete this form if you would like information about laser eye surgery including costs & suitablity.