Does anyone else have blurred vision after taking hydroxycloroquine? I started taking it again last week. I have RA & EDS type 3.

[francherry]

Would be interested to hear if anyone else has experienced blurred vision after taking hydroxychloroquine sulphate (Plaquenil). I have RA and Ehlers Danlos Type 3 (hypermobility). I first took this back at the end of 2010 but stopped as I was having kidney problems. Since then I have tried Naproxen but this also gave me blurred vision. Every day now my vision is blurred and I feel nauseous and dizzy. The Rheumatologist wants to prescribe methrotrexate (spelling?) but because I have both RA and EDS I am reluctant to go on it.

[linnieh]

I was on the same drug,only for a month as I itched like nothing on earth. I was awful. Did not notice my vision change but it was on short time taking them. I did welloMTX(had to come off reluctantly due to raised bloods) but back on it tomorrow. I have RA. Hope you get sorted. Take care and big hug xb

[Hidden]

I'm off the Hydroxcloraquine (HCQ) for a week after getting all over pins and needles and horrible itch but I don't think it's making any difference to the symptoms - and I've been taking it for 5 months now. My rheumatologist suggested I drop from 400mg to 200mg when I go back on it but I'm not sure why. I have worried about my sight but am told this is a very rare complication of HCQ so had decided not to think about it. What I've noticed is that I'm finding it a bit harder to focus on print and keep trying to address this by pushing my glasses up my nose further as they are varifocals. I was wondering if I'd notice a difference once I was off the HCQ but I have to say I'm not so maybe it's all in my immagination. My GP said it would affect the paripheral(sp) vision if anything? Tilda x

[mille]

I have been on plaquenil for 6 years and get my eyes checked every year to make sure there is no damage. Anyone worried about any changes in their eyes should make an earlier appointment.

[Gina_K]

I agree with mille, it is very unusual to have these problems with plaquinil, but in case wise to have eyes checked regularly while on it. I am off it now for a year, not because of side effects just reducced Dmards as on Humira.

I worried terribly initially about the effects Plaquinil might have on my sight, but had a long chat with an ophthalmic surgeon, and he had NEVER seen this side effect with patients on plaquinil, in all his years, yet eyes have to be checked regularly as it is possible.

We are all afraid of flying to some degree, so you can either stay home , or get from A to B as they say 'feel the fear and do it anyway'. Its your choice.

Regards, Gina.

[Gina_K]

Ps. Blurred Vision needs to be checked urgently, plaquinil related or not!!!

[SarahKate-NRAS]

Hi Francherry

As the others have mentioned it would be worth getting this checked out as one of the listed side effects of hydroxychloroquine is eye problems. There was a very useful blog and discussion about this just recently, please follow the link below to read this: nras.healthunlocked.com/blo...

Kind regards

Sarah Kate

NRAS

[cofdrop-UK]

Hi Francherry,

I would defo get this checked out with your doc. I had probs with my vision on hydroxy. Not blurred vision, but after taking it for a few weeks I noticed I was seeing quick flashes occasionally from the side of both eyes. This gradually became more frequent until I was getting constant migraine type visual disturbance and had to come off them.

Hope all turns out well for you and they get it sorted out soon for you.

XXX

[francherry]

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your answers. The reason I have been quiet is that on Wednesday night I had to go to A&E as I had broncho spasms (real difficulty breathing), hallucinations, dizziness and nausea on top of the blurred vision. Since Weds I have not taken any HCQ. I also went to a specialist eye hospital in London - when they looked at my notes I had previously been there in February 2011 (after six months on HCQ) and the same blurred vision (but without the other symptoms). This time, I was prescribed HCQ by another rheumatologist who had not seen this earlier episode in my notes. I think I am one of those people who has extreme sensitivity to these drugs because when I tried Naproxen it also gave me blurred vision.

A week on, I still have blurred vision and more than one health professional thinks the drug probably caused it but I appreciate that the side effects are rare and I just happen to be one of those people who was affected.

Back on painkillers only until next appointment on 1st October. Nervous about trying anything else now.

Thanks for reading,

Francherry x