Special eye test

[whatsit]

Hi all , can someone tell me what the special eye test is when on Hydroxy I’ve been on it for well over 6 years Rhummy said he will refer me , it don’t look like that’s going to happen , my eyes have suddenly gone dry , so I booked normal eye test had the normal X-ray and paid for another type, just wondering if that’s it xx😘

[PMRpro]

If you use the MECS service, provided usually by the likes of Specsavers or Tesco, they have fully trained staff who can do all the right stuff and who will refer you to the hospital eye department if necessary. The have far more equipment than A&E so do the triage for the eye people.

primaryeyecare.co.uk/servic....

[whatsit in reply to PMRpro]

Hi I did get referred last year to a small hospital nearby as it’s a care home as well I got cancelled , I’ll go into that , thank you x

[Krazykat26]

When u say you paid for the extra eye test..if it was about £10 extra I think that you've had the more thorough testing. Did u go to Specsavers for your test? Apparently they are equipped to do a more thorough eye exam. Also you would have told your optician about being on hydroxy so I am thinking you might have had it done already!! What feedback did u get from the optician about your retinas? 🌈😽😽Xx

[whatsit in reply to Krazykat26]

Hi I went to Boots and had two different scans and a really thorough eye test , back tomorrow to have drops so as to see a bit more , I’m getting head aches like behind my eyes , feeling ruff going on for six weeks xx

[Krazykat26 in reply to whatsit]

Sounds like you're in the best place and doing all the right things 👍Best of luck for tomorrow 🍀I hope you get some relief soon 🌈😽😽xx

[whatsit in reply to Krazykat26]

Thank you x

[Mollie01]

Hi whatsit

I go to an annual Hydroxychloroquine Retinopathy Virtual Review Clinic at my local hospital - extra to my specsavers eye test. Apparently specsavers used to do them but now they have to be under the NHS Eye Clinic. The examination consists of eye test but more scans at the back of your eye. Takes about 30 minutes. Hope this helps Mollie

[smudge in reply to Mollie01]

Hi Mollie01, I had this done once before it was at the hospital and then was told by a rheumatologist that they were probably not going to be doing them again! So maybe not so important after all, a post code lottery or just money better spent elsewhere! Who knows tbh we all seem to get told different things and advised differently. Maybe next time when I go to the ETC at the hospital I will enquire there if this is so and why or I should say if I remember! lol!Whatsit I hope you do manage to get one done.

[whatsit]

Thank you Mollie I think that covers what I’ve had done , bless you x

[Tanitani]

You need to ask for "hydroxychloroqine toxicity test" regular test is different.

[Partner20]

It is recommended that for those who are on hydroxychloroquine, a specialist eye examination is done. In my area this takes place at the Eye Hospital. However, OCT scans, which give a more comprehensive picture of retinal health, are now available at many high-street opticians, such as that offered for an extra £10. Make sure that you are able to have, or access, the results of these scans, so any changes can be monitored. My optician can send the scans I have had done to the Eye Hospital if necessary.

[CecilyParsley]

Hi, you need the OCT scan of the retina. Specsavers do a hospital grade scan for £10 and the best thing is they can refer back to it to see if there are any changes. If you have dry eyes my advice is to get Hyloforte eye drops. They are like giving your eyes a drink, an Ophthalmologist prescribed them for me initially but now my GP has put them on repeat for me xx

[whatsit in reply to CecilyParsley]

Thanks for that Cecily I’ve jotted that down boots brand not up to much x😘

[bluebell99]

My usual annual testing at the hospital eye clinic has raised a problem which could be due to the hydroxy. I always have the OCT scan, visual field and other tests but this time there is some doubt over retinal damage in one eye and reduced field of vision. There is also a cyst on the macular which the specialist does not know if it is related to these problems.

I am having a different test in the Orthoptics clinic which will hopefully come to the conclusion that it is not hydroxy related. It is a VEP/ERG test and I have been told to allow two hours for it.

I have had two bouts of hydroxy, the first for about three years, then I was put on azathioprine, which I took for about seven years (blooming marvellous for me). Unfortunately renal cancer stopped that and I started on the second round of hydroxy which I have been taking for about ten years. The dose has always been 400mgs daily.

I know any damage to my eyes could continue even if it is stopped but I am concerned that it will not be replaced with anything else to help the lupus.

I have taken 7.5mgs prednisolone daily for the past 15 years which is being blamed for the osteoporosis and severe spinal collapse I had last year. I am seeing my rheumy in November to discuss my options, if there are any. I think I will be pressurised into reducing the steroids and leaving off the hydroxy.

I feel like I am in between a rock and a hard place.

Fingers crossed this is a minor blip with my eyesight and in no way related to the hydroxy.

X

[whatsit]

O my word it’s a mine field , whichever way you step has it’s consequences, fingers crossed for you xx