What effect does flomax (tamsulosin) have on cataracts?

Affects the surgery: Flomax (tamsulosin) and other Alpha 1 blocker are used to treat prostatic enlargement. The medicine also reacts with the iris (colored part of eye) dilator muscles and during cataract surgery can cause the iris to act abnormally in a floppy manner. This has been termed intra-operative floppy iris syndrome and can increase surgical complications if not accounted for.

It makes surgery : Surgery much more difficult. The iris becomes floppy and the pupil dilates poorly. An experienced surgeon should be able to compensate using special measures.

Floppy iris: Flomax, (tamsulosin) a medication for an enlarged prostate, can cause the colored part the eye (iris) to become floppy during cataract surgery. This can typically be dealt with, but does increase the risk of complications.

None: Flomax (tamsulosin) does not cause cataracts to progress more quickly or more slowly. The reason that the ads on tv tell patients to alert their doctor is so that the surgeon can have extra measures on hand during cataract surgery. Floppy iris can be dealt with in the o.R. With special medicines and artificial iris holders, so patients on Flomax (tamsulosin) should not stop the medicine for cataract surgery.