BLOOD SHOT EYE [ON WARFARIN ]

[poppystorey]

Hi sorry to trouble you on a Sunday afternoon ,but is there any advise you can give I have quite a bad blood shot eye ,it has come on this morning it doesn't cover the whole of my eye ,just a bit concerned with being on warfarin ,Have a great day PoppeyStorey

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Poppystorey

This happened to me about four weeks ago, and it covered the entire eye except the pupil itself so looked awful.

I rang the doctor and went down and saw them, and they checked to ensure that there was no damage to my vision, and then they simply said it would go away, and it did after about four days.

Also when was your last INR test and was it high?, when it happened to me it was 4 weeks since my last test, so they did a quick check to ensure my INR had not jumped up.

If there are no vision problems, and no pain, then it's probably simply that the lining has been scratched, and with us being on warfarin this then looks really awful, but I do suggest a precautionary visit to the GP to get them to check it out.

Rgds

Ian

[poppystorey in reply to Beancounter]

Thanks for getting back so swiftly ,I have had one before much worse than this one ,bit wasn't on warfarin then .My last INR was on 26th Septemger when it was 2.8 . If no better in the morning I will take your advice and pop along to my GP thanks once again PoppeyStorey

[seasider18 in reply to Beancounter]

I noticed that I had quite a bloodshot eye when I went to shave this morning. When I Googled warfarin and bloodshot eye this very old post popped up on top of the list!

I've been back on warfarin for two months with the first two weeks on 6mg and 8mg since then. My INR gradually crept from 1.4 to 2.8 last week. I was not too concerned as I had a bloodshot eye at the beginning of January before going back on warfarin that cleared up in about a week and today was due to have my INR checked.

The reading was 3.1 and I pointed to my eye and asked the nurse if the rise was connected to my eye. She did a message to one of the GPs who said to check my BP. Knowing me well the nurse knew what to expect as my BP shoots up in surgeries and hospitals. It was 173/103 and she took three readings with the lowest 169/94. I told her that it had been 184/110 after breakfast but after having been out it was 134/79 after lunch.

The doctor, not my usual one came in and we gave her a summary of my aortic valve replacement, subsequent AF, two cardioversions, back in AF last year and pacemaker fitted. She probably noticed my eye but did not examine it and suggested that I have a 24 hour BP monitor fitted. I told her that they always show high readings in the morning and a big drop during the day and I'm always told that the usual average of around 137/74 is OK. She sensibly said that the time for strokes is in the morning during a high. All the others including cardiologists maintain that it’s only the average that matters.

The 24 hour monitor is not until April 26th. When I got home I checked my BP and was not surprised that it was 125/77 heart rate 72 and unusually no erratic heart beat symbol.

I thought that they would reduce my warfarin to 6mg but they went by the systems suggestion of an average 7.9. 7mg today and 8mg for the rest of the week. Hardly worth bothering about.  

Coincidentally Dr Red Eye was running at Catterick today. As it had not run for about six months and had not won since July 2014 I did not take the tip and back it. It ran a decent race to be second and having dropped 13 lbs in the ratings since it’s last win it will probably win shortly.

 

[farmerwalt]

Hi Poppystorey,

I regularly get bloodshot eyes and most times only know when someone says, what's wrong with your eye. Apparently it's small blood vessels rupturing within the eye, that a lot of "normal people" get but don't notice. It's only because we are on warfarin that it becomes so apparent. It's a bit like getting a small cut or scratch and folks think you've got a rather deep cut because the blood spreads rather rapidly around the area because of the warfarin. So, as long as your vision is OK then it's nothing to worry about. Only another "side effect" of having AF and being on an anticoagulant.

Kind regards

Walter.

[poppystorey in reply to farmerwalt]

Thank you for your reply Walter have a good day PoppeyStorey

[Kvntoday in reply to farmerwalt]

Hey Farmer Walt , you are so right , Warfarin generally does not bother me but when I get a burst blood vessel it upsets me because of the appearance . My INR came up a bit (3.3) but it is normally about 2.7 to 2.8 . Probably because of too much red wine with my Christmas celebrations . I have a couagucheck machine and I check my INR regularly , I checked it to day and I have dropped my dose so hopefully it will help .

[Vivante]

This happened to me several times last year, burst blood vessels in the eyes. I had the INR levels checked, they were within range. I had my blood pressure checked, it was high, GP put me on meds for hypertension. No more problems since then. It is possible to have nose bleeds and burst blood vessels in the eyes. Keep a check on your BP. Hypertension is also known as the silent disease.

Keep well.

[poppystorey in reply to Vivante]

Thanks vivante ,I am on BP medication ,and it is ok I have had this before ,but was concerned this time with being on warfarin I am at the clinic tomorrow ,,enjoy the rest of your day Poppey Storey

[Beancounter Volunteer in reply to poppystorey]

How is the eye?

Ian

[poppystorey in reply to Beancounter]

Good morning ,thank you for your enquiry ,my eye is clearing up nicely,the blood shot has worked its way round into the corner of my eye .but all is fine .heart monitor getting fitted next Tuesday then hopefully another cardio version ,Have a good day Poppystorey

[Offcut]

I have had conjunctivitis which was a bit messy and could not get drops from the chemist until I saw a doctor who told me to ask for the same drops the pharmacist refused to give me. All because I told them I was on warfarin

[Hidden in reply to Offcut]

Offcut, unfortunatelly when taking Warfarin, over the counter medications must be vetted by the Doc or the Pharmacist as some medications contain reactive nasties that can harm your INR. However each prescription issued by the GP has no proplem at all as he or she know you are on Warfarin. Some times you will get an over zellus person, who is only making sure your not going to be harmed.

[Offcut in reply to Hidden]

I fully understand the chemist has to cover them selves. I am usually covered with my 14 scripts a month but it is the silly things that I have taken before that get me. Even what the doctor gives me upset each other some times.

[Vivante]

Thank you for your reply. It is frustrating when something like that happens. I hope you will be allright. Take care.

[123Abc123]

Hi Poppy, I've had three bloodshot eyes in the last two weeks. I get them fairly often. I worry a little but the worse part is my appearance! The staff at the INR clinic don't seem too concerned. Hope yours disappears soon.