The Elmiron drug, prescribed to patients with bladder issues, may cause retina damage in people who take the medication for an extended period. For that reason, annual eye examinations are now recommended for anyone taking the drug, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Elmiron is the only FDA-approved medication for the treatment of interstitial cystitis.

It is possible, according to newly-published research, that the risk for vision damage caused by the Elmiron drug could have been impacting patients’ vision for decades.

Reports about the possible link between retina problems and Elmiron first surfaced in 2018, after Dr. Nieraj Jain of the Emory Eye Center in Atlanta reported “unusual changes” in the macula, “the retina’s central area that delivers clear and crisp central vision,” in six people who took the drug for 15 years, according to Healthline. None of the six had anything else in their histories to explain the abnormalities.

Dr. Jain’s study found “a novel and possibly avoidable maculopathy associated with chronic exposure to PPS (pentosan polysulfate sodium).”

Studies are being conducted to determine more about the link between Elmiron and vision damage and what it might mean for both the medical community and the people who take the drug.

A recent presentation shared at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting drew connections between retina issues and use of Elmiron.

Early research shows that for those who have just started taking the Elmiron drug, regular eye exams could screen for vision problems. However, there is potentially a large group of others who took the medication for years without realizing it may have affected their vision.

Research now shows a possible nexus between vision problems, including age-related macular degeneration and pattern dystrophy, and the use of Elmiron. Retinal cells have certain chemicals that are not found elsewhere in the body and those chemicals could potentially interact with some of the ingredients in Elmiron, ultimately causing vision damage, according to experts.

While not every patient diagnosed with interstitial cystitis will take Elmiron, due to the large number of Americans suffering with it, millions of people could be affected. Between 1 million and 4 million men, and between 3 million and 8 million women, have the condition, according to estimates from the National Institutes of Health.

While research studies are ongoing, it’s believed that many of Elmiron’s side effects are not noticeable at first. Since most drug trials last anywhere from one to five years, the long-term problems associated with any medication might go undetected. Some doctors have pointed out that vision problems are not always studied as a medication’s potential side effect.

Most of the patients with vision degeneration reported taking the drug for at least 12 years. It’s recommended that people taking Elmiron for a similar period of time get an eye exam to identify any potential problems.

Filing an Elmiron Lawsuit

A growing number of patients who have taken Elmiron are coming forward with allegations of serious Elmiron side effects, including vision loss, macular degeneration, and more.

If you or someone you love has suffered from these or other Elmiron side effects, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by Elmiron complications, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden too often incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.