Can Asthma Affect the Eyes? | National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

When you hear about asthma, the possible effects on the eyes may not come to mind. While asthma primarily affects the airways, there is a link between certain eye issues and asthma. May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. It is a good time to learn more about how asthma can affect vision and the eyes. 

What is asthma? 

Asthma involves a chronic lung disease that causes hypersensitivity of the airways. People with asthma develop airway constriction and inflammation. It is also common for people with asthma to have allergies.

Asthma symptoms may include:

• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Chest pain

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, in the United States, about 20 million people over 18 have asthma. 
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Is there a connection to vision or eye problems with asthma? 

There may be a connection between asthma and certain eye or vision issues. Asthma primarily affects the lungs and airways, but similar to many other conditions, asthma and its treatments can also lead to additional problems. For instance, having asthma may increase the risk of the following eye conditions:

Dry eyes: Having asthma may increase a person’s risk of developing dry eyes. A study in Open Access Journal for life and Environment Research compared the data of 41,229 people with asthma to 164,916 gender and age-matched people without asthma. The researchers found that the asthma group was more likely to develop dry eyes than those without asthma. The exact reason why this occurs is not clear.

Glaucoma: In some cases, it is not asthma itself that can contribute to eye problems. Instead, it is the medication used to treat asthma. For example, steroids are used to treat inflammation in the airways. Some people take steroids daily as a preventive medication to decrease the frequency of asthma attacks. Steroids may also be given as a part of a treatment plan during an asthma flare-up.
According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, steroids may change the way aqueous fluid flows from the eye, which may increase eye pressure. This increase can raise the risk of glaucoma.

Cataracts: Similar to glaucoma, high doses of steroids may increase a person’s risk of developing posterior subscapular cataracts. This is a type of cataract that can develop within a few months and causes trouble seeing close objects. Normally, cataracts take years to develop, but this form develops quicker.

Allergies: Eye allergy symptoms can include redness, burning, and itching. Asthma and allergies are linked. So, if you have asthma, you may also have a higher chance of having allergies and developing eye allergy symptoms. 
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How to reduce the risk of eye problems with asthma 

If you have asthma, there are some things you can do to keep your eyes healthy and reduce your risk of vision complications. Consider the following:

Follow your asthma action plan: The more your asthma is controlled, the less likely you are to need high doses of steroids. Take your medications as directed, maintain a healthy weight, exercise, and don’t smoke.

Reduce triggers: Keep a log to determine what causes a flare-up of asthma symptoms. Once you have identified triggers, develop strategies to decrease exposure. Reducing triggers means less of a need for medications, including steroids.

Talk to your doctor about steroid use: In some cases, steroids are needed to help treat asthma, but there are many different types of asthma medications that may help control symptoms. As with all medications, it is vital to weigh the risks versus the benefits.

Get regular eye exams: Be sure to get regular eye exams to monitor your vision for any changes. Talk to your eye doctor about any new symptoms or problems with dry eyes.

If you have asthma, especially if you are on a high dose of steroids, it is best to work with your eye doctor to determine any risks of eye diseases.  Also, if you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.