I have been noticing an intermittent problem with my vision over the past few weeks, maybe a bit longer. In mainly one eye I sometimes get blurred vision, sometimes it is almost like there is a little cloud over the word I am looking at, with the surrounding ones clearer although still a bit blurred, as I say it comes and goes and I did have my eyes tested about 18 months ago. To be honest it does fit the description of age related cataracts (I am 62 soon seems young to me?) but I also notice that Statins particularly Atorvastatin can cause this. Obviously I am going to speak to the GP surgery later but I was wondering if anyone had had or heard of similar problems? I am really not over keen on going to have my eyes tested in the current climate, although obviously I will have to, I might lay off the Statin for a week and see if anything changes. I am only on on two other meds, Asprin and Omeprazole.
Blurred Vision/Atorvastatin? - British Heart Fou...
Blurred Vision/Atorvastatin?
Any decent optician or ophthalmologist will see cataracts immediately in the first minutes of an eye exam so it's worth going in just to be sure about that.
Re medication caused blurring and other vision changes - when I went on beta blockers April 2019 I read the package insert carefully and noted the part about 'may cause blurred vision'. I wear tri-focal lenses and the thought of more eye troubles wasn't appealing. I knew before I started the beta blockers it was time to go for a new prescription but I was trying to eke out the then current prescription a wee while more.
Sure enough after being on Bisoprolol 1.25mg+300mg aspirin for a bit I began to notice some increased blurring.
After discussing it with other Hearties here on the forum, I finally made that appointment and saw the ophthalmologist - ended up with a new prescription and the advisement even with the new 'script I might still have occasional blurring owing to the beta blocker. He mentioned statins would do the same thing in his experience.
It took three visits - one with the GP after the first visit with the ophthalmologist (his request I talk to the GP before going ahead with an eye exam) and then the third to do the exam and have the new prescription written.
And in the end, when I'm tired or have been on the laptop (or doing other close work) I do notice despite a relatively new prescription, I still have some annoying blurring. But no cataracts.
Ah, great reply thank you. I also seem to get it later in the day. Sometimes my vision is fine other not, so it makes me doubt it is my optical prescription. As I said I really don't fancy the close confines of an eye test (I assume they are currently doing them?) so I am going to give the Statins a rest for a week just to see if it makes a difference. Given my very healthy lifestyle I doubt it will make much difference for a short period of time. Thanks Sunny at least that's fairly reassuring.
Because besides reducing cholesterol statins also reduce irritation, often a precursor to plaque formation, and stabilise plaque I would suggest reducing the dose, e. g. if you are on 80mg Atorvastatin reducing to 20mg for the week.
I am on 80mg, which the doctor commented was an "aggressive" dose, possibly due to my age. I did think of halving them but if it makes no difference it would be hard to tell if it was them or not, but I suppose it is worth it if it does. I have looked into this plaque formation quite a bit in the past, and it would seem that some people have lesions that are constantly rupturing whilst other have some that just build up and up to form possibly larger blockages. I have assumed that I am probably in the latter category as both mine were 96% blocked, so was slightly less worried about the irritation. I did discuss this with the GP when I was getting pins and needles and he was fairly happy for me to come off them for a trial period. I am pretty sure it is not cataracts that are causing this blurred vision after doing a bit more reading up, I only had an eye test about a year ago and i am quite young for them I think.
I had cataracts treated in my mid-fifties, my sister had one at a similar age, a cousin at 40, another cousin in their 50s and a friend at a similar age to me. So sorry you are not too young for catatacts!
The problem is self diagnosis and it can become an incomprehensible jungle very easily. The best thing to do is to speak to your doctor as there are a myriad of reasons for blurred vision. It is true that 80mg atorvastatin is huge, I take 40 mg, but your doctor must believe that you need it. If you are saying that your carotid arteries in your neck are 96 % blocked then I would look to change your diet. If these arteries are blocked to that extent then you are at a very high risk of a stroke, your doctor may have agreed to you lowering your dose to keep you calm. I would return and ask him, in his opinion what would be the best course of action. I don't think you should reduce your atorvastatin dose, in my opinion it would be dangerous. Even if your blurred vision seem to clear up it would not neccessarily be down to a reduced dose. keep safe, keep well.
"Speaking to my Doctor" is not quite as easy as you may imagine, it's a lottery between getting the rare one who is brilliant and one from a pool of others who can be, well, not brilliant. Not sure where carotid artery came from the blockages were in my LAD (stented). "My" favourite GP was quite happy for me to stop taking the Statin for a period of time when I had another problem a while back, a week is not going to make a massive difference, I have not taken it for about 3 days now and I am beginning to notice a difference. I am of the mindset where I try and help the GP's as much as possible, within reason.
It does tickle me when people refer to "their" GP or cardiologist, they must have a different set of arrangements to me!!
Quite agree. I find the GP’s at my surgery variable and unfortunately constantly pressed for time. Not their fault of course and quite possibly an indication that they’ve dealt with me and need me out of the room so they can see someone else. Recently, I’ve been communicating with them by email - which has been working well and hopefully freeing up face to face time for those that need it.
I guess I do have a “my cardiologist” as I saw one privately and find him very helpful. I will see him annually for a review and he’s been happy to answer any emails I’ve sent him without any charge (but I won’t push it).
I’m on Atorvastatin 30mg (non obstructive CAD and mild aortic stenosis) which he has just reduced from 40mg as my cholesterol, BP, weight and blood sugars have all reduced. He emphasised the importance of the statin for me but made the point of saying that, if I thought they were causing a problem, he’d be happy to change the brand and/or dosage.
Also, a thank you. I’m just about to start week 9 of Couch25k. Something that you, amongst others, recommended when I first came here. You’re advice and support at that time is still greatly appreciated Thank you.
Yes I think it must vary depending on your location, my local surgery seemed to go from being pretty good to now almost impossible to get to see the doctor that has been involved with me. They have now relented and agree to a booked appointment which is usually on the phone, but can be up to 2 weeks away. I have to say it but some of the doctors there do not have much of a bedside manner nor are willing to discuss or take evidence or thoughts from the patient, one actually kept looking at the clock as I was trying to discuss something with her and I had to really fight the urge to pull her up on it, it is not good enough.
Anyway well done for the Couch 25K, at least you will have plenty of time to get into before you tackle the local park run, if we ever get to do it again!
I have several chronic illness' so "my doctor" refers to the consultants where I am treated. Or I may ring one of the lung defence nurses. Gps can be marvelous but generally a person in your position should have been to a specialist. I wondered if you were referring to the carotid arteries as you mentioned "both" you have a 96% blockage in your left ascending artery ? Was that before the stent or after it was fitted ? If it is 96 % now then I would absolutely leave things as they are until you have a detailed discussion with the specialist. My heart has blockages but nothing has been offered to me, they are nowhere as large as your blockages. I have small vessel disease and have had multiple lacunar infarcts. I have periodic eye blurring and they often tear up. I wish you the very best.
I am not sure if it is common but some of us on here do provide details or our ailments in our profiles, for future reference.
The only time I saw a specialist was on the main admission ward when he told me I needed an Angiogram and would I sign here please. To be fair he was very cheerful when he played me the video of the procedure afterwards, but that was my total time with him.
Might be too early to tell or coincidence but the blurring seems to have eased quite a bit since not taking the Statin for a few days now. I will now try a reduced dose and then arrange a phone appointment, hopefully, with the "reliable" doctor, who I am pretty sure will be quite happy to discuss it and probably grateful that I have used my common sense based on previous chats with him.
Blurred vision due to cataracts does not come and go and is usually a gradual onset of decreasing vision over a longer period of time than weeks. A new change in vision should always be investigated. I think we all need to be careful not to diagnose ourselves and continue to seek medical advice as we would have normally.
Thanks for that information. I do agree regarding seeking medical advice, I am just trying to help them, they need it!
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