Enlarged Prostate

Certain medications that are used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), or an enlarged prostate, can cause something called intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS). These medications includetamsulosin, alfuzosin, terazosin, doxazosin, and possibly others. It is important that you report the use of these medications to your surgeon. Your surgeon will take extra steps during surgery to manage the possibility of this occurring. These extra steps make surgery in this case safe, but the risk of complications is slightly higher. In addition, these extra steps will probably lead to a slightly longer surgical time, which is to be expected in this setting.

These medication effects are not reversible after discontinuing the drug. Therefore, if you are diagnosed with BPH and your doctor wants to start you on one of these medications, you might consider an appointment with your eye doctor to check the status of your cataract. If your cataract is ready to be removed, you may want to do this prior to starting medication for your BPH.

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