Have switched from Benicar HCT to Benicar (water portion didn't seem to have any effect) and after observing some nusiance ED with Benicar daily, got the doctor to agree to every other day dosage, which allows to plan (for sex on the weekend also.) But drugist suggested Losartan, and doctor agreed to rotate me to it. Nowadays, I'm finding greater and more frequent need for reading glasses, and I'm wondering if any of these BP meds will affect eyesight. I know BP meds are important, but my levels continue to creep into 140/96 range, even when calm, relaxed after diner with 20 oz Pepsi drink. Wondering what to adjust.
Will a 50 mg tablet Losartan affect vision? Or at 55, is middle age just advancing on me?
Question posted by Studfinder on 23 Sep 2011
Last updated on 7 April 2017
Answers
Thor283
24 Sep 2011
I've been on Losartan since last winter. I don't think it did anything to my reading glasses situation. I'm still using the same strength lens as before. However, I started getting other kinds of visual disturbances. The most frequent being I think I see a flash of light to the extreme side of my vision. But it's only happening on my right side. There are some other things I don't know how to describe. Maybe it's called Tunnel vision, because I feel like I'm looking through a tunnel. My vision is normal in the center but blurry all around. This comes and goes too.
Now besides Losartan I also take Lasix. I was given this horse pill with the Lasix and it's a Potassium pill. It's so hard to swallow I wasn't taking it. But I was warned by 2 docs that Lasix will deplete me of Potassium, so they said I MUST take the Potassium. But I wasn't doing it. I have now been taking it religiously, for a few weeks. I think the visual disturbances are a lot less. My PCP says Potassium deficiency shouldn't cause visual disturbances, so he doubts that it's helping me, but I'm pretty sure it is. Which would mean it has nothing to do with the Losartan.
So I suggest you look for other reasons why your vision is getting worse. Age does effect our vision. I'm 4 years older than you, and I now need the reading glasses for every small thing I must see sharply. Several years back, I could still strain my eyes and see some small things well enough without the glasses. I have also noticed that fatigue or lack of sleep makes me worse. I have a stronger set of specs for those times.
But why not go see an eye doc to play safe? I intend to do that too.
Studfinder
24 Sep 2011
You raise good points. To answer your question, poor insurance doesn't cover our eye doctor firm, but perhaps I'll find one a Wally-Mart. It's certainly time.
(I find the same variation with sleep and rest, and also, amont of light and detail.)
litlmommag
24 Sep 2011
Hi dear I'm sorry to say this it sounds to me like maybe you have a cateract it causes the tunnel vision and the weird light effect. If I'm right dnt be scared the surgery t remove is basically like lasik surgery not bad at all no pain and very quick. But if it is a caterac you can go blind not having it removed so please see a dr jaime{litlmommag
litlmommag
24 Sep 2011
Hi dear I'm sorry to say this it sounds to me like maybe you have a cateract it causes the tunnel vision and the weird light effect. If I'm right dnt be scared the surgery t remove is basically like lasik surgery not bad at all no pain and very quick. But if it is a caterac you can go blind not having it removed so please see a dr jaime{litlmommag
Thor283
24 Sep 2011
I don't even know of an eye doc. So first I have to find one. And then my insurance doesn't cover eye docs without me making a $120 co-pay per month for the insurance. So this may take several months. Do you think I can wait that long? Will my eyes keep getting worse, or will I suddenly go blind? And if the cataract is then removed, wouldn't I get my sight back? I'm not even sure what a cataract is. Can you explain it?
litlmommag
24 Sep 2011
Thor I know I've been going through insurance issues for years its awful. I believe your reg doc should even be able to see it. You know if they look in your eyes. A caterac is like a little bag that grows behind the I believe the cornea of the eye. So it blocks some of your vision because the light doesn't pass through to the retina once its removed your vision should be restored. I had an uncle who was diebetic he had them in both eyes was completly blind for a few monthes but had them removed and his vision restored. My grandma had 1 to she descibed it just like you did. She's back to her regular glasses from b4 the surgery within a week. I wish I can help you find financial resouces in your area maybe you can call your lcan human resources in your area and they can give a list of resources good luck. Jaime
cynthialoulou12
3 April 2017
I have been on Losartan for a month and my vision is worse . I have a hard time seeing now with my glasses ? If you look up the side effects of this med one of them is blindness! GO figure
Studfinder
8 April 2017
Haven't heard anything from this website for months or years. However, I am finding that forearm pain may be associated with Losartin. As I am on my last two doses, I intend on speaking with my doctor about getting off from this stuff. I can perceive no benefits, and unless the bloodwork comes back more happy, I'm going off it. PS: My vision has deteriorated to the point of needing reading glasses for everything now, but tunnel vision is not one of my problems. My farsight is excellent if not better than ever. I can even detect the planet Venus going through phases (No lie), but the near vision requires reading glasses EVERY time at age 61. Sigh.
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benicar, benicar hct, high blood pressure, losartan, doctor, vision
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