Drug Side Effects to Vision

[aqualates]

Has anyone suffered a retinal vein occlusion (RVO) or bleed behind the eye or any other eye problems since they began taking medication for a heart condition?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Are you diabetic by any chance or a smoker/ex-smoker?

[aqualates in reply to MichaelJH]

No, not either.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to aqualates]

These two conditions can affect blood vessels in the eyes. I have heard of retinal bleeds caused by blood thinners. Why do you suspect issues on your retina? I suggest you get an urgent eye check. An opthalmic optician can make a referral if any issues are highlighted. A retinal check and maybe a field test wod be appropriate.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to MichaelJH]

Just checked and the chains like Specsavers appear to be open today.

[aqualates in reply to MichaelJH]

Thank you that is so kind and thoughtful of you. Specsavers actually discovered the RVO a couple of years ago which was thankfully treated successfully. This time I’ve a bleed behind the eye, fortunately I am still under observation for the RVO so was able to go to the eye hospital the day it happened. I’m still blind in my right eye after 3 visits (3 weeks) so may need surgery. I’m on warfarin which I know causes bleeds (they didn’t even ask what meds I was on) and I also take dijoxin which can cause eye problems if levels are wrong but I now get them checked annually. I’m also on Entresto. I was trying to find out via the site if anyone else was experiencing the same problems and if so what meds were they on. I never had any eye problems before my heart failure but wasn’t on any medication at all before then. Suppose I’m getting older, in my 60s now so it could be age related.

[Hidden in reply to aqualates]

Hi aqualates, I am also on Entresto, eplerenone, and Tresiba. I do have a pressure behind my left eye at times. I also had a light flash along the side of my left eye. My eye specialist said this was normal for my age. I have cataracts, too. As far as I know no bleeding in eye. I will be seeing him this month to follow up. Happy New Year!

[Callista]

I have several eye problems since I started taking medications for my heart failure but not those you mention. Are you on Spirolactone?

[aqualates in reply to Callista]

Thank you for your reply. I’m on warfarin ( I know that can cause bleeding) dijoxin and entresto. I was trying to discover if anyone on the site was experiencing eye problems then ask what drugs they were on to see if there is a link. When I had my RVO a couple of years ago my pharmacist suggested I get my dijoxin levels tested, she was surprised that an annual check was not done routinely. Turned out they the levels were wrong. I now insist on an annual level test. Entresto is a pretty new drug so not sure of its side effects.

[Lonmayloon]

I have had two retinal tears during the last two years (one in each eye). I was told that it was an age related thing and none of the specialists mentioned any connection with the medications I am taking.

[lettingoffsteam]

Yes I developed a small tear in my retina a year ago which I sought help for immediately and I had laser treatment.Luckily I read the medical columns of magazines and was aware that I needed to act quickly. What are your symptoms and have you sought treatment?

[aqualates in reply to lettingoffsteam]

I have had a bleed behind my right I, can’t see a thing through it. I’ve been to hospital and as there’s been no improvement since it happened 3 weeks ago it may need surgery. I think it is very important for people to realise that if you do experience problems with vision you act quickly. I’ve had bleeds in front if the eye before but these don’t affect vision just look a mess. I had an RVO (retinal vein occlusion) a couple of years ago in the same eye, treated successfully,that could also have been caused as a side effect of medication as my dijoxin levels were wrong or it could be because I take warfarin.

[lettingoffsteam in reply to aqualates]

I'm sorry to hear that.I know what you mean about the need to get help quickly. My husband was all for leaving it a while but I insisted that it needed looking at right away.I hope your eye can be treated successfully.

[Eastyorkshiregal]

I had an issue spotted by my optician in 2015, eventually got appointment with eye hospital who diagnosed Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion. I have had 54 eye injections since then and my central vision has worsened. I recently had a steroid implant in my eye, hopefully this will clear the waterlogging in the Macula, treatment will be repeated in 6 months. No one has said it could be a result of medication. I suspect it is linked to my heart issues in some way. I am not diabetic. I'm 73 so possible age related.T

[aqualates in reply to Eastyorkshiregal]

I’m 65 so could also be age related. I had 5 eye injections and problem solved gut the RVO. I’m just curious to know if these eye problems are related to medication as I’ve never had eye problems until a couple of years ago.

[gladliz]

I am also on Warfarin and have experienced bleeds which extend across the white part of my eye, usually the right. They don't hurt and I only notice it has happened if someone points it out too me or I see it in a mirror. My optitian is not duly concerned unless they affect my vision ; they don't fortunately. It usually take about a week to disperse

[aqualates in reply to gladliz]

I too have experienced bleeds at the front of the eye and as you say they don’t affect vision just look a mess. I had a bleed in my left eye just before the bleed at the back of my right eye 3 weeks ago, I still can’t see a thing out of that eye! Waiting to see a specialist now.

[Tricia7048]

I certsinly have noticed a difference on vision. It is much worse than it was.

[aqualates in reply to Tricia7048]

I’m the same, it worries me.

[Qualipop]

A few months ago my husband had a big bleed in one eye which went totally red. SCared us terribly. He's not on any heart tablets but is on diabetes med. We never even considered medication as the cause.. Optician checked it, wasn't worried and it cleared in about a week.

eye bleed

[aqualates]

I’ve had several front of eye bleeds, they just look a mess but clear in about a week and have never affected my vision. The bleed behind the eye is awful, no difference after 3 weeks, blind in that eye. I’m now waiting to see an eye specialist.

[Hidden]

Hi, I have taken Lixiana since 2017 when I had an episode of AF. I was also diagnosed with a BRVO same year!! I have since been having Eylea injections into the eye at 4-6 weekly intervals, but it does not appear to be getting a great deal better-it doesn't bother me now, but I went to A&E because I had this smudge like a pencil mark had been erased, in my right eye when I closed my left eye to put make up on! It's an interesting theory though and one I will mention when next I see my specialist!