Eye problems

[Greenmil3]

Just Seen my normal eye check up and told them I had blurry vision in my left eye. Having been seen by a senior optometrist she said that as I had an eye appointment with St Thomas on the 23rd that I should call them to move it forward as it looked like macular degeneration (at 48 years of age) so St Thomas ophthalmology have given me an appointment for Wednesday to see if it’s a permanent issue due to natural causes or if I’m one of the unlucky ones due to my (apologies for spelling) hydrochloroquinone) who knows but maybe it’s a goodbye to my left eyesight any knowledge would be useful. Sorry for the pouring out of the worries

[Lure2]

With "blurry" what do you mean - ? Do you see double or loose the vision in your left eye for some minutes ou Auras or something else? How long time have you had it? Together with pain in the head?

Are you properly anticoagulated when you get your symptoms?

[MaryF Administrator]

I think it is best not to panic, let them help you at St Thomas', I hope the appointment works out well, and do feed back what they say, at least it was picked up at this last appointment from the other day. This could be for any variety of reasons, and you are off to the right place. Best wishes. MaryF

[HollyHeski Administrator]

My optometrist has said he can't do all the tests in his clinic and was pleased I was having yearly checks at my hospital.

I've been on hydroxychoquine for over 10 years now.

Don't panic (yet), let St Thomas's do all the tests and guide you on the best treatment.

Let us know how you get on?

[GinaD]

As Lure has said, " blurry " is a blurry description. I recently discovered that I suffer from visual aphoria and require glasses with an expensive prism. Apparantly, this has been creeping up on me for decades and I was totally unaware of the issue. It came to light, both metaphorically and literally, when I tried to explain to my eye doctor that I just cannot use bifocals. Turns out, it's because the bifocals did not have two prisms which force my two eyes to remain focused on the same thing. So, there could be many issues with your eye doctor wants to address. And not all of the issues are scary.

[Greenmil3 in reply to GinaD]

Gina thanks for the reply but it was the opticians that confirmed it could not be corrected by glasses and I needed an urgent investigation at hospital

[GinaD]

I hope it is something that can be corrected.

[Lure2]

Hi again,

You did not answer my question above. The eyes are often involved in the neurological symptoms of our illness with different scenarios like in my case and I know others here.

It has to do with microemboli or microclots and they are usually not seen on a Scan but need a proper and stabel anticoagulation with rather high INR.

As I understand you are on Hydroxychlorocin (I know nothing about that drug, but perhaps it is the same thing as Plaquenil) for your APS. Do you also have Sjögrens diagnosed? I am on Warfarin for my Primary APS and my neurological symptoms are today gone after an INR of 4.0. I am tripel-positive with high titres.

[Greenmil3 in reply to Lure2]

Lure it’s blurry vision as my left eye has damaged macular region and that’s the area at the back of the eye that allows you to focus fully. As mine is damaged the left eye cannot focus. My INR is currently up to 3.5 and it is generally there or thereabouts. I think the hydrochloroquinone is the same as plaquenil but only been on it for 2 and 1/2 years so not likely to be that.

[Lure2 in reply to Greenmil3]

So you have both Warfarin and Hydroxy. Do you have Sjögrens?

[Greenmil3 in reply to Lure2]

Not been tested yet but have had dry eyes for quite some time but not dry mouth

[Lure2 in reply to Greenmil3]

But both Warfarin and Hydroxyclorochine?

[Greenmil3 in reply to Lure2]

Yes amongst other things