AF and eye problems

[GB12]

My wife has AF and is now having problems with her eyesight, probably caused by blocked veins in one eye.

Has anyone with AF experienced similar problems and if so were any treatments recommended?

[BobD Volunteer]

Sorry never heard of this in the twelve years I have been involved with AF but since AF enables clots to form which normally results in stroke this may not be out of the question.

[GB12 in reply to BobD]

Thanks very much for your reply which is just what I thought might have happened. She has been advised to wait for a month to see if there is any improvement and then have a scan.

[rosyG]

Just wondering why she has to wait for a month?

I have a branch vein retinal occlusion which is being treated at st georges Moor fields at present and if her vision is affected it means there is some oedema which usually would be treated .

The cause is usually hardening of the arteries with age and the clot forms where the artery crosses the vein and occludes- or blocks- the circulation. It isn't caused by AF- I haven't had any AF for three years - it's not likely to be the cause for her- It used to be left to see if the oedema subsides but the latest thinking is to treat early to stop the oedema- if it is your GP that has said wait then I would ask to be referred to a specialist eye hospital- if you've already seen a specialist then that's fine

[GB12 in reply to rosyG]

Thanks for your reply. My wife has seen a specialist who has diagnosed Central Retinal Vein Occlusion which he thinks might have been caused by her AF. He has recommended waiting for a month to see how it develops and then to have a scan. In the meantime I wanted to find out if anyone with AF had experienced similar problems and I am most grateful for your comments which I shall mention when she goes for her scan.

GB.

[rosyG in reply to GB12]

It's good to hear you are seeing a specialist.

One useful tip to pass on is that if she has to have injections into her eye ( likely) it is NOT nearly as bad as you would imagine!! I went for the first one, not having slept much the night before, and it didn't hurt as much as a normal injection into your arm!! You do have to follow instructions carefully re care after the injection of course.

Give her my best wishes and do send a private message if you want to know any more about my treatment!!

[GB12 in reply to rosyG]

Dear Rosy G.

This is very comforting news as the consultant mentioned that an eye injection might be necessary but wait for a month to see if there are any improvements. She is in her eighties and dreading the possibility of an eye injection as it sounds extremely painful so I will tell her of your reply in due course.

I should be most grateful if you could let me know a bit more about the operation and the after treatment.

Unfortunately she also has Parkinson's disease and is not yet aware that I have been making enquiries about this problem.

I am not sure how to contact you privately by email.

GB

[rosyG in reply to GB12]

Hi,

You just click on the image next to the name near the post and it gives the option of a private message- however I can explain about injection procedure here!!

You need to try and avoid colds etc before the day as it may be cancelled f you have a cold etc. They put antibiotic drops and local anaesthetic drops into the eye and then something which holds the eye open ( so she doesn't need to worry about blinking at the wrong time!!)

Then a sterile pack is placed over the face so just the eye is showing- then they do the injection and then give you some drops to put in 4 times a day for 5 days- these are to keep the eye moist as dry eyes can be painful

You have to avoid water getting in the eye for few days and also be careful re dust or anything else that might add to infection risk

Be prepared for a series of injections- usually needed.

The injections stop the sight getting worse and MAY restore sight that's lost. In my case they have worked very well after the first injection but I have to continue as there is still some oedema

There are some very serious complications but numbers are small so you need to look up the risks but so far I haven't had any problems. Eye feels 'gritty' afterwards ( from iodine wash they use ) but the drops sort that out. NO pain so do re-assure her. I wish I hadn't got so worried beforehand!!

[GB12 in reply to rosyG]

Many thanks again RosieG. I will show her your replies before we go to her scan.

GB.

[rosyG in reply to GB12]

Just one thing i was thinking about, one has to keep very still while having the injection so you may need to help her on this

[GB12 in reply to rosyG]

Thanks again. I will certainly remember this if injections are needed.

GB

[cuore]

I am a candidate for glaucoma, so when I went for my six months check-up to my eye specialist, this time I told him I had AF. He said that the AF would not affect it, but high blood pressure would, which I also have. Having said that, it's your wife's eyes, so have them checked and re-checked by specialists, the sooner, the better.

[GB12 in reply to cuore]

Many thanks for your reply. My wife suffers from very low blood pressure and you may have seen my replies to other posts. We will now wait for the results of her scan in a months time.

[ILowe in reply to GB12]

I was told that the enemy in glaucoma is low blood pressure. High blood pressure balances the higher level in the eye. So I was warned to be careful that I did not get below the recommended levels for my age, even at rest (I habitually try to get the lowest possible result, before I am barely awake in the morning, and before I have moved too much. I then compare it with my relaxed sitting figure).

[Mike11]

The presciption for my spectacles changes dramatically when I'm in AF, and each time I have an (now rare after an ablation) attack it does change a little permanently. My optician keeps a close eye on things but not much that can be done

[Kateyarm]

Hi

I haven't posted on this site up till now as I have the posts and replies really helpful. I have AF which started with pneumonia but AF stayed after I recovered. This was 18 months ago. I have managed to keep reasonably good but in January I got terrible double vision, words and numbers blurred and reduced peripheral vision. Eyes checked out with no problems they could find but I still have intermittent double vision and now can't drive at night. I think it is connected to my AF but have refused to take more tests as my daughter gets married on Saturday. After Saturday I will see a neurologist. Is this similar to your wife?

Kateyarm

[rosyG in reply to Kateyarm]

Hi Kat,

The blurred vision may be eyes but some of the other symptoms need checking out fairly urgently I think.If they recur, get some advice form a and E- doesn't mean you will miss the wedding !!

[GB12]

Hi Kate,

Like you, my wife had pneumonia about 18 months ago and was diagnosed with AF. A couple of months later she was then diagnosed with Parkinson's. She developed similar eye problems to yours in March of this year and first saw an optician who diagnosed Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (blocked veins in her left eye) and she saw an eye Consultant this week who confirmed this and said that this could have been caused by AF and possibly the result of a stroke. He told her to wait for a month to see if it improves and has arranged for a scan in a months time.

This is my first post on this site as I wondered if anyone else has similar problems and I should be most interested to know of your progress after your daughter's wedding which I hope you will all enjoy.

GB.

[rosyG]

PS also meant to say there is a health unlocked macular site which you will find useful- much smaller than this site but some good advice available on it

[Bolander]

Like RosyG I also have central retinal vein occlusion and have been treated at Moorfields . I can confirm that everything is done to make the experience of injections pain free and in my case the result was restoration of my eyesight to the previous level, thought this has required several injections. I would certainly advise that she tries to get referred to a specialist eye hospital as soon as possible.

[GB12]

Thanks Bolander.

I think we will wait for the results of the scan and if injections are required, then decide whether to go privately or continue with NHS. The delay factor might decide which is best.

GB

[Salty0987]

Was she ever on amiodrone? I took that and got crystals and almost went blind. Specialist stopped the drug immediately.

[GB12]

Thanks for your reply but my wife has not had amino drone but I will look it up to see if she is taking anything similar.

GB.

[NooNoo14]

I also have the same problem with the same diagnosis. AF has never been mentioned as the cause.

I have an appointment tomorrow morning (yes, Sunday) at 09.00 to have my 4th injection (one every month). One more to go after tomorrow and then they will check if the oedema has gone.

The injections are more uncomfortable than painful and I find the grittiness afterwards is the worst bit it feels like you have an eye full of sand. As already said, be very careful that your wife does not get any water or dust in her eyes for a few days afterwards. I always wash my hair on the morning of the procedure and then don't was it again for 4 days.

When she goes for the procedure I suggest she takes a pair of sunglasses with her and if these are wrap-around ones, all the better (especially if it's sunny). I find I am unable to read or watch TV for a few hours afterwards - vision is too bad.

My health authority no longer prescribe the eye drops because they say they have not found they help - I feel it is more a cost-driven exercise.

I too am surprised your wife has to wait so long for her treatment - the sooner it starts the better.

Best wishes

Netty

[GB12]

Thank you very much for this helpful reply Netty. I shall print this and show it to my wife if she has to have the injections. I think the consultant recommended the delay as he was aware that in some cases the eye can improve without treatment and because she is shaky as the result of her Parkinson's.

Has your eye improved following the injections?

Best of luck tomorrow.

GB