Asthma medications and eye problems?

[Stella]

Have you noticed a connection between your asthma medications and eye problems? My opthalmologist once told me that some asthma medications may promote to the Dry Eye because of the high amount of inhaled cortisone daily. Last winter I was having a lot of problems with my eyes, and so Advair was prescribed. Before that I was taking Beclovent and salbutamol, (and they could have worked better also). If I understood right, Advair was supposed to be better for the eyes because a smaller dose was effective. But now I have trush or whatever from it and doubt I can continue with it.

I've also developed several floaters in my other eye just in 11 months, I wonder whether they have to do with my asthma medications. I also have medications for epilepsy plus I've had an optic neuritis 3 years ago, reasons enough to have problems with that eye, but still I have developed most of my eye problems, particularly with floaters and dryness also when on inhalers. Changing to Advair hasn't changed anything, I've only developed a couple of more floaters this spring.

I'd be curious to know if any of you have similar experiences.

[wrin]

I've found in fact that if my asthma is acting up my eyes are likely to be dryer -- keeping my allergic reactions down (tied to my asthma) are the key to keeping my eyes feeling good.

Also, depends on what kind of makeup I wear on my face -- I've found some kinds of mascara seem to make my eyes dry right out.

Whatever you do, though, avoid using Visine or anything along that line to replace your own tears. My opthamologist said it has this nasty habit of making you dependent on it, something I've seen happen to my dad -- he got to the point where he couldn't have tears anymore.