To Pee or to See? We don't have to choose.

If you have never had to well, you know, really go and couldn't, or kept going just a drop or two at a time all the time round the clock. You would probably be choosing the seeing part. For those of us who have or have loved ones who suffer from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH - noncancerous swelling of the prostrate gland) we know not peeing properly is the pits.

There have been many treatments for this condition over the years from exercises, massage, to surgery. There have even been medications to help improve the plight of the poor man suffering from BPH none have been as effective as the newcomer on the scene as FLOMAX (tamsulosin hydrochloride). Over the past couple of years it has helped many men avoid having surgery for their condition. It has even begun to be used recently in the treatment of kidney stones. Relaxing the entire urinary tract enough to allow even fairly large stones pass. As usual however our progress comes with a price.

FLOMAX (tamsulosin hydrochloride) not only relaxes the urinary tract muscles it also works wonderfully well at relaxing the tiny little muscles controlling the iris and pupil of the eye. What this means is that sometimes even after taking only a few doses of FLOMAX the muscles that contract to open up your pupil won't anymore. Now compared to not being able to urinate this is a very small price to pay. How ever if you visit the FLOMAX website (4flomax.com) you will notice an advisory to inform your surgeon if you are planning to have cataract surgery. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!

If you inform your surgeon you are taking FLOMAX they can take special precautions to ensure a safe surgery for you. Then you can have the best of both worlds you could Pee and See and even See where you Pee. If you fail to inform your surgeon he or she may assume your pupil is simply slow to dilate. They could then simply choose to stretch your pupil. After stretching your pupil your iris will remain floppy and increase your risks for complications during surgery. Drug companies rarely make recommendations for no reason and following this recommendation will save many grey hairs in your eye surgeons head.

 Your complete medical history before having eye surgery should always include all medications you are taking for any condition you might have.  Just because it is not an eye medication does not mean it will not effect the eye.  There are even some blood pressure medicines that have the same effect as FLOMAX on pupil dilation.  Even though you maybe a senior adult having your cataract removed don't forget you haven't always been among the so called gentile of age.  You were once a rough and tumble child, a reckless teenager, and a careless young adult at one time.  If you have trauma to your eye at any age it may not be evident by exam, but may cause your tissues to be more fagile.  A complete medical history is a very important part of ensuring a safe outcome.