Erm, is this a med thing? I'm having trouble reading print - I can't even read my phone unassisted. It has come up fairly suddenly (I'd say over the last two or three weeks). Do I call the rheumy or the opthamologist first? I'm on mtx, hydroxyquine, and leflunomide.
Thanks in advance,
Bats
Personally, I'd go for the optom. - mostly because I'd get an appointment quicker. Be sure to mention you're on hydroxy as that's the one most likely to cause eye issues.
Thanks, I'll do that tomorrow.
Hope everything's OK.
Hi I would do both. Get the eye person to confirm if there is any change and then rhumy to decide if your message are the cause. Good luck. Let us know how you get on.
I agree. Good luck.. Doreen
Sorry I meant meds ...turned into message!
Call your rheumy. I was told by my rheumy and opthamologist that hydroxy can cause visual problems
Wishing you well
Sue
Hydroxochloriquine can damage eyes You shold have an eyesight test every 12 months
Also RA can attack your eyes
Within 6 months I had three eye tests one Year ago first two tests got worse needed new glasses
Third test they reverted back to pre the tests. Figure that one
You need to go see an optician
Tell him you are on hydrox also see your doc
Optho first. I have had similar problems and in my case its quite a simple thing - my eyes were just getting far too dry. Solution for me is to use natural tears type drops frequently enough that I don't let my eyes get to the too dry stage. It did take a full eye exam, dye studies and slit lamp to show what was going on though and make sure it was nothing more serious.
Both! Urgently! Hydroxy made my sight worse. Rheum you took me off it straight away, but I also needed opthamologist to check my eyes. My sight has been bad today, from painkillers, pain, fatigue. Nightie Daight
J
xxx
I was on hydroxychloroquine and had the same thing happen. I spoke to my Dr on the phone and she said to half the dose for a week and see what happens. I improved and started taking it again and the eye problems came back. The hospital told me to stop taking it, i saw my optician as well and after an eye test only two months before I needed new glasses for reading.
I knew I had a cataract in my right eye and a small one in my left eye as seen optician the week before. Woke one morning to feel as though sitting in the middle of a cloud, very very misty. Saw optician, the small cataract was now a large cataract. He said steroids had played a part in the sudden increase and cause of the cataracts. Not sure if you have seen an optician or have steroids. Maybe other RA drugs contributed to my problem, I too am on Leflunomide. Go to your optician as soon as possible as you can't be too careful with your eyesight. My eyes are great now so good luck
Hi Cagsie,
I am also suffering with terribly dry eyes and am just wondering what made your eyes better now? Very pleased to hear that they are for you.
Carol
Xxx
Hi, I have really, really dry eyes. I've found that using preservative free eye drops frequently throughout the day helps a lot. I keep bottles of the stuff in every pocket and every handbag. I'm using HycoSan at the moment, it's expensive and I think they do one you can maybe get on prescription (if you're very lucky!)
I know something like gel tears is thicker and would probably last longer but I don't like the 'smeary' feeling I get with the thicker stuff. I also find squeezing a face flannel in hot water and holding it over my eyes is very soothing,
I've also got a thing called an Eye Bag that I can micro wave but I prefer the wet flannel.
Think the secret it to keep on using the eye drops not to do what I usually do and get lazy about it once my eyes feel a bit better. I also find car air conditioning kills my eyes, I'm constantly turning it down / off - my other half likes it!
Hi fruitandnutcase,
I am using Hylo forte at least 5 times a day, also have Viscotears preservative free and Lacrilube which is a thick gel at night. Unfortunately they are still very dry and sore. Have an appointment with the hospital in October but trying to get a cancellation to get me their earlier. Am on Hydroxy, Naproxen and am in a clinical trial taking an oral biologic. Recently come off Leflunomide and Arcoxia due to a numb tongue.this disease is so nasty!
Carol
Xxx
You're doing all the right things then. I do hate the grungy stuff though. Wonder if Hylo Forte might be the prescription version of my HycoSan? It is amazing how painful dry eyes can get, I used to feel like someone had punched me in the face. Hope you can get a cancellation and get your eyes sorted. It is indeed one horrible disease.
Hi, I checked online and both Hylo forte and HycoScan are recommended for very dry eyes. I find the Hylo forte quite thin but does help to soothe but will be interesting to see what the hospital say, I shall mention HycoScan to see if this might be better but will post with the response.
I love it when I put a drop in and blink and all of a sudden I can see the world clearly again, it's amazing. I've got this new routine going where I'm taking my asthma inhalers religiously every morning and night, I do them then clean my teeth so I leave my eye drops there and do them at them all same time then if they feel a bit dry during the day I've always got a bottle somewhere. 😊
You are so right, the trick is to not get lazy about the routine! I have the eye bag and it does work very well for me but the damp cloth did too...just easier to put in microwave! The car a/c is a problem at times, have to turn away from face then all the cold air goes elsewhere and freezes that area, usually the shoulders!
I know, it is so easy to get complacent about it. A/c really is awful at times. I'm forever rearranging the direction of the nozzles. I wear glasses so it must be much worse for people who don't. On the other hand it doesn't seem to bother my other half at all so maybe it is worse for those of us with dry eyes - what a life 😊
Doesn't bother my husband either and he does not wear glasses, so, there is a lot of moving the dials going on in our car! What a life is right!!! But, it is a good life no matter the obstacles we have to climb!!
Exactly 😉
Oh no Bats that's all you need!
So sorry this is happening.
Let us know how you get on at ophthalmologist/optician please
Take care
Kiki x
Hi Bats,
Are you diabetic? I had problems with my vision including other things, I blamed it on the meds. It turns out I am now diabetic as well. I would check with your GP and optician asap.
Good luck, I hope it just means you need glasses or new ones.
Let us know. Sue xx
Hi angel, yup, I'm type 2 diabetic, and my meds have been mucking with my blood sugars, so that's a possibility, too. Either way, I'm going to call my ophthalmologist today. On August 8th I could still read my phone screen, and now I can't - that's how quickly the decline has happened. It's a little creepy, but I'm no stranger to this 'blind' gig. *wry grin*
Bats
Hi Bats,
It happened to me very quickly too. I only found out a couple of before leaving for my trip whilst in hospital and the diabetes nurse didn't have much time to chat to me about it before leaving. I have type 2 also, a lot to learn and I find it so far very conflicting, everyone has different ideas on what you should do.
Having a good time here with my family though and doing the best I can.
Take care, Sue xx
I have Sjogren's which, of course, causes the dry eyes. I tried lacrimal plugs (one fell out so I had doc take out the other); I used every eye drop on the market; I have always done 6 mos. or annual eye checks. Never does eye doc think my blurred vision is related to the hydroxychlor. At first the doc said the blurry vision was just age and suddenly needing reading glasses is normal. Then I went back saying I'm sure I have cataracts. One eye dr. said the left eye cataracts was bad. Moved to FL and dr. here says I have them but not bad enough for Medicare to cover (I am 66). I think sticking with a good over-the-counter eye drop (Soothe XP, Thera Tears) regularly does help. Cataract dr. told me that after instilling the eye drop you should lightly press down on your lid which will make sure the fluid covers the entire eyeball. I swear it helps. Good luck to all of you! Carol
Ooh I must try that. I hope you get your cataracts done soon, I know my mum had a new lease of life after hers were done. I'm sure Monet probably had cataracts when he did his wonderful water lily paintings.😊
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