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Related Experiment Videos

Atishoo! Atishoo! we all fall down!

Brian J Carey1

  • 1Department of Geriatric Medicine, Bantry General Hospital, Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland. brian.carey@mailp.hse.ie

Age and Ageing
|June 22, 2006
PubMed
Summary
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An elderly woman experienced fainting spells due to a heart rhythm issue. Symptoms resolved after stopping beta-blocker eye drops, suggesting a link between eye drops and heart problems.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Geriatrics

Background:

  • Sneeze syncope is a rare condition causing temporary loss of consciousness triggered by sneezing.
  • Beta-blocker eye drops are commonly used for glaucoma but can have systemic effects.
  • Transient complete atrioventricular block is a serious heart rhythm disturbance.

Observation:

  • An elderly female patient with glaucoma presented with recurrent episodes of syncope and pre-syncope.
  • These episodes were temporally associated with sneezing.
  • The patient was using beta-blocker eye drops for glaucoma management.

Findings:

  • Diagnostic workup revealed transient complete atrioventricular block during syncopal episodes.
  • Discontinuation of beta-blocker eyedrops led to complete resolution of syncopal and pre-syncopal symptoms.

Related Experiment Videos

  • This suggests systemic absorption of beta-blockers from eye drops can precipitate cardiac events.

    • Implications:

    • This case highlights a potential, previously unrecognized mechanism for sneeze syncope.
    • It underscores the importance of considering systemic side effects of topical medications, even in the elderly.
    • Patient cooperation and observation are crucial in diagnosing rare medical conditions.