Beta blockers - a Migraine preventative linked to cataract risk
Recently a large, long term Australian study showed a correlation between the use of common beta blocker medications, an increased risk for the formation of cataracts and the subsequent need for surgery.
Researchers discovered the link when looking for potential risks of increased cataract formation. 6,700 persons were tracked over 10 years, and the researchers noted a 45% increased risk of cataract formation, and a 61% increase in cataract surgeries in those taking beta blocker medicines, even after taking into consideration other risk factors such as smoking or the use of steroid therapies. An additional finding implicated calcium-channel blockers (another drug used for Migraine, high blood pressure and other disorders) and cataract surgery.
Cataracts occur when the protein in the lens of the eye clumps. The lens becomes cloudy and opaque. The vision is affected according to the degree the lens of the eye is damaged. Cataracts are common in the elderly, and can be surgically treated by removing it and replacing it with an artificial lens.
Beta blockers - a class of drugs used for many purposes including but not limited to Migraine, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, anxiety, tremor. Beta blockers may also be applied directly onto the eye if you have glaucoma. Both oral and topical beta blockers have been implicated in the article published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology by researchers at the Centre for Vision Research at Westmead Hospital in Sydney, Australia.
The drugs work by blocking an adrenal hormone called epinepherine - also known as adrenaline. When you take a beta blocker medicine it relaxes your circulatory system. Your blood vessels open more freely, and your heart doesn't beat as hard or fast.
The implication in the formation of cataracts is thought to be related to the affects of beta blockers inside the eye.
The lens of the eye has no direct blood circulation. It receives its oxygen from the aqueous humor (a thin, watery fluid) inside the eye. The theory suggests reduced production of aqueous humor may result in lowered oxygen levels to the lens which results in its premature aging.
There are a number of medicines in the Beta Blocker family and each works a little differently. Some may work specifically on your heart, while others may help your heart and blood vessels. Your doctor will examine you and ask you questions about your condition before prescribing a beta blocker. He/she will then prescribe the beta blocker medicine they think will work the best for your particular circumstance.
Examples of current beta blocker include:
* Acebutolol (Sectral)
* Atenolol (Tenormin)
* Bisoprolol (Zebeta)
* Carvedilol (Coreg)
* Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)
* Nadolol (Corgard)
* Nebivolol (Bystolic)
* Propranolol (Inderal LA)
Beta blockers, especially propranolol are considered one of the first in line preventives for those with frequent Migraine attacks. Others used frequently in Migraineurs include Metoprolol and Nadolol. Your headache specialist or physician may want you to try more than one beta blocker before moving on to other drugs.
Beta blockers must be started slowly, increasing them by increments until results are evident. This is called titrating. The process may take weeks or months, especially when being used as a Migraine preventative. If side effects become a problem, your doctor may ask you to back down your dosage for a while until your body gets used to it, then slowly titrating back up until you feel better. It's very important to know that beta blockers should not be stopped abruptly or without talking to your doctor first, or serious health problems could result. This is true even if you feel the beta blocker isn't affecting you.
Beta blockers come with side effects and some people such as asthmatics are not able to take them. Diabetics and other patients may need to monitor their conditions more frequently while taking beta blockers. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist openly about any concerns you may have about beta blocker therapy. Make sure they know about all your health challenges as well as any drugs, medicines, supplements or herbs you may be using.
Additional related information can be found here:
WEGO Health Migraine forum
WEGO Health pages on
Migraine Prevention
Migraine Medication
Migraine
Researchers discovered the link when looking for potential risks of increased cataract formation. 6,700 persons were tracked over 10 years, and the researchers noted a 45% increased risk of cataract formation, and a 61% increase in cataract surgeries in those taking beta blocker medicines, even after taking into consideration other risk factors such as smoking or the use of steroid therapies. An additional finding implicated calcium-channel blockers (another drug used for Migraine, high blood pressure and other disorders) and cataract surgery.
Cataracts occur when the protein in the lens of the eye clumps. The lens becomes cloudy and opaque. The vision is affected according to the degree the lens of the eye is damaged. Cataracts are common in the elderly, and can be surgically treated by removing it and replacing it with an artificial lens.
Beta blockers - a class of drugs used for many purposes including but not limited to Migraine, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, anxiety, tremor. Beta blockers may also be applied directly onto the eye if you have glaucoma. Both oral and topical beta blockers have been implicated in the article published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology by researchers at the Centre for Vision Research at Westmead Hospital in Sydney, Australia.
The drugs work by blocking an adrenal hormone called epinepherine - also known as adrenaline. When you take a beta blocker medicine it relaxes your circulatory system. Your blood vessels open more freely, and your heart doesn't beat as hard or fast.
The implication in the formation of cataracts is thought to be related to the affects of beta blockers inside the eye.
The lens of the eye has no direct blood circulation. It receives its oxygen from the aqueous humor (a thin, watery fluid) inside the eye. The theory suggests reduced production of aqueous humor may result in lowered oxygen levels to the lens which results in its premature aging.
There are a number of medicines in the Beta Blocker family and each works a little differently. Some may work specifically on your heart, while others may help your heart and blood vessels. Your doctor will examine you and ask you questions about your condition before prescribing a beta blocker. He/she will then prescribe the beta blocker medicine they think will work the best for your particular circumstance.
Examples of current beta blocker include:
* Acebutolol (Sectral)
* Atenolol (Tenormin)
* Bisoprolol (Zebeta)
* Carvedilol (Coreg)
* Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)
* Nadolol (Corgard)
* Nebivolol (Bystolic)
* Propranolol (Inderal LA)
Beta blockers, especially propranolol are considered one of the first in line preventives for those with frequent Migraine attacks. Others used frequently in Migraineurs include Metoprolol and Nadolol. Your headache specialist or physician may want you to try more than one beta blocker before moving on to other drugs.
Beta blockers must be started slowly, increasing them by increments until results are evident. This is called titrating. The process may take weeks or months, especially when being used as a Migraine preventative. If side effects become a problem, your doctor may ask you to back down your dosage for a while until your body gets used to it, then slowly titrating back up until you feel better. It's very important to know that beta blockers should not be stopped abruptly or without talking to your doctor first, or serious health problems could result. This is true even if you feel the beta blocker isn't affecting you.
Beta blockers come with side effects and some people such as asthmatics are not able to take them. Diabetics and other patients may need to monitor their conditions more frequently while taking beta blockers. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist openly about any concerns you may have about beta blocker therapy. Make sure they know about all your health challenges as well as any drugs, medicines, supplements or herbs you may be using.
Additional related information can be found here:
WEGO Health Migraine forum
WEGO Health pages on
Migraine Prevention
Migraine Medication
Migraine
Tags: anxiety, asmatha, beta blocker, cataract, diabetes, glaucoma, medication, migraine, preventative, thyroid
Add a Comment
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Comment by Ellen S on July 28, 2009 at 7:21pm -
Jasmine brings up a really interesting question:
Do you find yourself pressured to try one or another particular treatment? How do you react to pressure?
Really good points by all, and I think too many patients are subjected to unneeded side-effects etc as a result of missing important medical history information. What do you think? One very good reason to check, double check, triple check before taking medicine... even that which has been prescribed.
Additionally, my advice is never to take anything for granted. Even the most educated and admired doctors and nurses are people too. People have good days and bad ones. They get in a hurry, and they make mistakes. It happens. It's our jobs to be educated and aware... and proactive. That's how we help our doctors help us.
Personally, I try to make it a habit of consulting my other specialists ie rheumatologist, urologist, neurologist, etc with any proposed change of medicine by another doctor. The process of getting those okays is lengthy and fraught with frustrating phone calls, but it's saved me on more than one occasion.
It is so terribly discouraging to me as a patient to spend an hour filling out all the required histories etc at a new office, only to have them completely ignored. I do try to make early morning appts so my doctors aren't running behind and have a little extra time to deal with all the strange things I have going on, which helps. However, more than once I've had vital information (such as surgeries, current medications or lab work, and even radiation treatments) completely missed by someone ready to treat me on assumptions instead of fact that was plainly available on the front of their clipboard. I would have been happy even to have been asked if there was a question, but that rarely seems to happen unfortunately. After having these things missed, it is difficult not to second guess that doctor's opinions and suggestions. I'm always afraid (and often rightly so) something will be missed again.
Do you think that making our medical records available online would help in this type of situation?
Do you avail yourself of current computerized health record capabilities?
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Comment by Jasmine on July 25, 2009 at 6:11pm -
Good for you for firing him! I honestly don't believe doctors read the paperwork. Most of mine ask me the same questions during the appointment, jotting down my answers either on a blank sheet of paper or typing them into their netbooks lol. And I've had to remind my primary (recently fired) multiple times that I'm allergic to latex. Pap smears are uncomfortable enough!
The more I read these types of findings the more proud I am for no longer giving in to the pressure most doctors have put on me to try certain drugs.
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Comment by TheDailyHerb on July 25, 2009 at 5:42pm - The first neuro I saw after being diagnosed with migraine put me on a beta-blocker (propranolol). Within the first month, the small patches of psoriasis I've had on my elbows since childhood, exploded. I had psoriatic patches on various parts of my body (lower legs, ankles, arms, and scalp). In 40 years of living with psoriasis, I never had it in these places. I went to see my dermatologist and she told me that beta blockers are well-known to be contraindicated for psoriasis. The neuro doctor had me complete a lengthy intake form and I documented that I had psoriasis. He either didn't bother to read the paperwork or he didn't know his meds well enough to prescribe. I fired him.
© 2009 Created by Marie
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