Hi Guys, Just a quick question, has anyone noticed RA affecting their eyesight, i have asked my doctor and he says no,

[carrieanne]

But i have noticed that my eyes have deteriated since being diagnosed two years ago

Carol

[rheumatoidymummy]

Are you taking hydroxychloroquine (plaqenil) as that can affect your eyesight.

Think just having RA might too - prob best to speak to an optician.

[Hidden]

Not sure about this but hope others will know more. I wear glasses for long-sightedness and had noticed that they are not seeming quite strong enough now so will probably go to the opticians soon for an eye check as I'm a few months overdue.

I don't know your age but am always told by my optician that eyesight usually deteriorates rapidly from 40+ and so far I've been no exception to this rule although my husband still has great eyesight even though he's older than me - but his hearing is getting markedly worse. Also I know that my optician alerted me to a rise in my blood pressure a few years ago - he seems to be more aware and concerned about my overall health than the GP sometimes? TTx

[Mel_]

My optician has always said Mtx can have an effect on eye sight, I don't think it is so much the RA but the medications that can have an effect.

[sylvi]

I have dry eyes,i had the eyes cauterised to keep them fluid. It affected my sight. I have puffy eyes now,but i can live with that as i can see better. My optician says my eyes are clearer now than they have for a long time.

Sylvi.xx

[julieporter]

I know you have to have regular eye checks on hydroxy .I have sore eyes sometimes and rhuemy says that can be RA but i don't think it affects my vision as such.Maybe have an eye test to put your mind at rest?

Julie

[tiger]

I live in France and went to an optician for a precription for specs. He advised me that if I get a noticeable deterioration in vision to contact him immediately because the inflammatory process of R.A. can affect vision. He indicated that this can then be treated with eye drops

[jenna]

dry eye is quite common i believe with RA. I have it most of the time and my gp gives me viscotears to lubricate the eye. sounds odd, dry eye when they water all the time. ask your gp.

[carrieanne]

Thank you for all your replies, Iam on sulphasaline and metx and i wondered if it was a combination of the drugs and getting on a bit !!! I always wake up to swollen eyelids, I will have to have a trip to the opticians, Thanks again for you imput

Carol xx

[beth48 in reply to carrieanne]

I am on same meds. as you and my eye's are sore for a couple of days after taking MTX.I also have sjogrens,dry eyes,throat,nasal passages.This is common in people with RA. Beth xx

[jenna]

combination of drugs maybe, age no way, just think young, difficult i know when you are in that place of pain and fatigue.

[lynn-bel in reply to jenna]

Hi - I get dry eyes as well and I heard RA can affect your eyes. I use Optive drops which are really good. Viscotears didnt seem to do the trick for me. My GP got my eyes examined once to make sure they were okay. I wear glasses for distance and sometimes get little ulcers on the inside of the bottom lid which is caused by the dry eyes. Like you say dry eyes making your eyes water - strange! One tip I got from optician was to apply warm compresses (I used my flannel) for 5 mins. if eyes feel sore or weepy. It works.

[carrieanne]

Hi Jenna,

I know you are right, think young but iam going to be 50 this year and i cant help but wonder if it is all going to be downhill from now

[helixhelix]

50 is the new 30, or so they say! Yes the body does start creaking a bit more, but compensation is that I'm less concerned about silly things that used to fret me, and taking things a bit more slowly means you appreciate little things in life loads more. Maybe my eyesight's not what it was, but I can see enough to do stuff so a little fuzziness is ok.

[Hidden]

Looks like I'm last in line here again, so I won't read the other answers first.

RA very definetly affects the eyes, my Ophthamologist checks my eyes for signs of inflammation and possible scarring every visit.

Also, Sjogren's syndrome is an effect of RA. It causes dry eyes, and irritation, requiring freqent eyedrops during the day.

Another aspect of Sjogren's is dry mouth, also requiring sipping water all day, as it then interferes with digestion due to lack of adequate saliva.

Isn't this RA just the devil itself? Loret xxx

[carrieanne in reply to Hidden]

Hi Loret,

You are certainly right there, i am constantly learning about all the side effects and other complications associated with Ra It is certainly complicated.

Carol xx

[helixhelix in reply to Hidden]

"Judgment shall still have the last word in every argument, and the casting vote in every decision.” - Charlotte Bronte

[Hidden in reply to helixhelix]

Boy does that go back a ways!

[carrieanne]

Thanks for all your replies, much appreciated

Carol xx

[allanah]

I know RA can affect you eyes, I worked on an ophthalmic and taught Ophthalmology for many years. So it cause Iritis, Uvietis and Episcleritis which are inflammation of different parts of the eye and some can affect your eyesight. The treatment is generally quite simple using treatments such as steroid eye drops.

Patients often get the eye problems first then find out the underlying cause is RA, although sometimes it is the other way .

Also as stated above Sjogrens syndrome with dry eyes, dry mouth and dry skin is associated with RA and is generally treated as you can protect the front of the eye with treatments such as artificial tears.You could also drink plenty and there is an artificial saliva that could be prescribed.

I would strongly suggest a visit to your optician or GP who can refer you to the ophthalmic unit and if your eyes get so bad your sight is restricted you should visit the A and E department quickly as there can be complications arising from problems such as Iritis.

Hope this doesn't worry you, its always best to be informed. Axx

[carrieanne]

Thanks you all for your advice, will be on my way to the opticians will let you know what they advise me.

Take care all,

Carol xx

[Gwen]

hi ive had RA for 4 years n over the last 2 years i have been back and forth to the opticians because my eyes are getting really bad so i have to now wear glasses all the time i have been on methotrexate, and hydroxochloroquine twice and many others. i am paranoid about my eyesight so im always going for check ups its scary really how quick my eyes have got over a short time and im only 23. my advice is keep having regular check ups and if u are concerned about your eyes dont ignore it. eyesight is precious .

[julie49]

i also have a problem with my eyes getting worse but mine is due to the embrel injection,i was told this by my reumy doc,he said i would have to have an eye test every year because it can affect your eyes...hope this helps