When I first got PMR, I was told not to go to an optician while on Pred, as the pressure in the eyes change. Now that I've tapered down to 5mg of Pred., I find that it's difficult to read with my left eye using my present reading glasses. I want to return to my old hobbies of art classes and reading. My doctor reassured me some months ago that I did not have GCA, and my optician prescribed gel drops, lubricating drops as well as recommended the use of an eye heat pad when I went to her with very dry eyes.
I'm long overdue for an eye test but am hesitant to have an eye test. New lenses for glasses are expensive and I have prescription sun glasses as well as ordinary glasses. If my eyeballs change shape again, won't I have another expensive visit to the optician in another short space of time? If anyone has experience of having an eye test for glasses while on Pred, I'd really like to know how you got on.
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43tripandskip
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Dear 43tripandskip, I think your sight is very important. You can get glasses at quite good prices nowadays even on the High Street. I get mine through glasses direct on line. I just give them my prescription. I have never heard of not getting glasses while on pred. Who on earth told you that? I really would not avoid an eye test in spite of the cost.
I wish I could remember who it was as I would dearly like to tell them where to put their advice. It's good to know that sound advice and information is given on this site so everyone can be kept informed.
Totally agree with piglette, you definitely need to have your eyes tested regularly when on Pred. It can have different effects, but a good optician will know what needs further action/investigation.
I had mine tested every year during my GCA/Pred years - cataract degeneration meant the lens were changed but not the frames - less costly - actually suggested by optician. Both on ordinary glasses and sunglasses.
I couldn't buy glasses OTC for reading as I have sight in one eye only - so one prescription lens/ one plain. Both lenses in OTC reading specs gave me headaches! Don't ask - too complicated!!
Over the Counter - in other words not prescribed by optician. Most chemists have reading classes on sale for about a tenner. Not recommended to use permanently, but okay for a little while if your eyes are "playing up" . My hubby got some once after he'd broken his in an accident and didn't have a spare set - he said they worked okay until he got new prescription ones.
They're basic, just reading, not varifocals or anything posh, but they do in an emergency.
If you've been diagnosed GCA you shouldn't have to pay for sight test - even if you're under the "age" limit.
" I was told not to go to an optician while on Pred" - exactly the opposite is true and for the reason you mention. When on pred you should have at least annual checks so the ocular pressures can be checked. That is essential as pred can raise pressures and if it gets too high you can lose peripheral vision and even develop glaucoma which if untreated is as big a risk to your sight as GCA.
If you need new glasses it is possible to get quite cheap ones if you get single vision lenses in cheap frames - my computer glasses which I also now use for reading are in the cheapest frame available and cost very little some 12 years ago - and no, the prescription is still OK according to the eye department at the local hospital. You don't have to have all-singing all-dancing variofocal lenses that change colour in the sun in designer frames - now that just makes me feel ill thinking of the cost! Some of us have moved our specs up and down our noses to accommodate changes rather than buy new ones but when new specs were needed - we got them.
I've been on pred for 8 years - I've only had one change of prescription and it was not my idea, My usual optician had given me a prescription that allowed me to read some things without removing my specs but a strange optician insisted it wasn't strong enough for my weaker eye when I lost my glasses and had to get an emergency pair.
Thank you for your comprehensive answer. It's certainly given me food for thought. I wish I could remember who told me not to go to an optician while on Pred. It was evidently someone who needed to add to his/her education. Thank you!
I saw an optician, routinely 10 months into PMR. and he diagnosed probable steroid induced raised intra ocular pressure which he is treating with drops, this can be dangerous so I am glad that I saw him. Patsy69
Only optician issue I had was you can't wear contact lenses because your eyes "breathe" ? The need oxygen under the lenses apparently. I do have readers varifocals and reaction to sun lenses. Quite a collection really. Can't use my computer in readers and need reactions when it's sunny. My husband thinks it's the same as my shoe collection. He has one pair of glasses that he renews when they fall to bits.
I'm in the same position, needing to read outdoors with sunglasses and then needing reactolight with the ordinary reading glasses as I'm sensitive to light. My husband has now started to wear sunglasses so we walk around looking like the Blues Brothers!
Please go to a reputable opticians don't miss it just let them know you are on prednisolone so they are aware it also means they take extra care for me it was vital as I ended with up with cataracts due to steriods and they got me into hospital etc very quickly to sort it out . Once you have prescription you can take it to anywhere to have made up and as said above online cos can be much cheaper to have them made up , you don't have to use the Main Street opticians which can be expensive . Take care .
Another good tip is to find an independent optometrist, even better one who is part of group of independents. My wonderful optician in Scotland had joined with a few others to improve purchasing power but when you needed anything not entirely basic and simple could beat places like Vision Express or Specsavers hands down. If something wasn't right, he sorted it immediately and didn't claim it wasn't his responsibility.
On two very different occasions, both my daughter and I had a pair of specs made up from those type of chains but they were never comfortable, it felt as if we had to concentrate to focus on anything. We both just abandoned the specs and went back to our old ones because the opticians didn't want to know. George took one look and saw immediately what was wrong: one lens had not been centred properly on the eye, a fraction of a millimetre out but that is enough to interfere. With mine he recut the very large lenses and put them in a smaller frame. Perfect vision immediately! It hadn't been his mistake - but that didn't bother him, he knew we would be back. An optician like that is worth their weight in gold.
Absolutely agree - mine has two shops in neighbouring towns. Have been going there for last 15 years- only seen 2 different opticians in that time- and they get to know you.
If you go to a national chain, they may be cheaper, but unless you're very lucky you're likely to see someone different every time. Yes they have your records - but they don't know YOU.
Hi Wispa123, how bad did your eyes get before they operated, and how long was it ? I'm in a similar position (sorry to barge in with a question!).
43tripandskip just to add to everyone's advice - go to an optician soon. I had increased pressures diagnosed in time before it caused problems, but still have to deal with steroid induced cataracts. BTW, I went to Visionexpress and have developed a really good relationship with an opthalmist, so they're not all bad!
I have been referred to my optician twice in 12 months, she has all the latest eye testing equipment and I am not charged for a GP referral. I think the advice not to go to the optician was unwise, they can spot things going wrong with their specialist equipment. Although my eyesight seems worse I have not been urged to change my glasses or contacts yet.
I had my eyes tested while I was on 50mg pred and all I did was let the optician know at the time so that I could then ask whether the changes were maybe down to the pred. I had no change in occular pressure. I did have a change in prescription after I came off the pred, but that was after 2 years of being on them and it was only slight. Optician told me that most people would not notice it; the only reason I picked up on it was because I have very sensitive eyes and have to have them tested yearly in any case. He didn't think it was down to steroid treatment. Just ask your optician when you see him/her
Hi. Long time since I've been on. Regarding your eyes- everyone taking long term steroids should have their eyes tested yearly. One of the drawbacks of steroid is the increased risk of cataracts. After 7 years I have been advised I need a cataract op on my left eye ( I have put off for various reasons) optician showed me the photographs and it was shocking to see the deterioration. A cataract also makes it difficult to check the health of the back of the eye - another reason to have it done. Good luck with what ever you decide to do and to all of you out there suffering this rotten disease
To add to this point - a developing cataract is usually noticed by the patient and your vision returns to normal with an op but the increase of pressure causes no symptoms or change in vision until it is so advanced it is too late and it cannot be reversed. You NEED those optician appointments to get the checks - no-one else will see, your GP certainly can't.
I see my optician every year and I wear extended wear contacts and glasses over them to read...I wear the breathable lenses and they are great... wouldn't be without them.
I am very careful and extreme with hygiene...especially optical hygiene
Pre-PMR I wore contacts. But dry-eyes (or something) made it too uncomfortable. I was fine with dailies for a while but eventually gave up as too expensive and I couldn't wear even them all day - so had to swop to glasses anyway. Do miss not having specs on my nose but at least you can get very thin lenses now. Cataracts would be welcome here - could get rid of one pair of specs! Unlikely to happen though!
I have one cataract and waiting on the second one so I too can get my eyesight back free of charge..I can't even imagine not having to wear glasses and or contacs...that would be a welcome treat !!
Get yourself on the list for cataract op. The difference is amazing and op very quick and painless.
I was a bit worried about having mine as I only have sight in one eye anyway- and though oh heck -or similar!! -what happens if it doesn't work! But on the other hand it was getting to the stage when I wouldn't be able to drive, so no choice really!
In the end they did it a bit earlier than the surgeon really wanted because of my situation. I did emphasise the fact I was a widow and needed to be able to drive myself ...blah, blah, blah. Plus I'd spent a lot of money booking a flight to NZ to see daughter and no point going if I couldn't see!
Thank you DorsetLady the optician has now put me forward to go on the list. Weve just had so much rotten stufff going on i had to put myself at the back of the queue . Hope I've not long to wait now though.
Ok first let me explain that there are two parts to an eye exam. There's the exam were the health of your eye is checked and then there is the vision check. Obviously having your eye health checked should be done regularly on whatever schedule your eye doctor recommends.
But as for your vision, if your read the list of prednisone symptoms you will see that vision changes are on the list. So if you vision changes enough that it makes life difficult then obviously you will want to invest in glasses. But if your vision change is only slight, or your nearly of your prednisone then you might want to wait and see (pardon the pun) if your vision changes again.
Don't ignore the optician whatever you do. It was my optician who diagnosed my problem and referred me to consultant, who diagnosed GCA. I have since had several eye tests whilst still on pred etc. Use specsavers or similar [I too have presc sunglasses ] Your sight is so important look after it please. xxx
Had similar experience, finally gave up and reverted to prior prescriptions (old glasses I had tossed in a drawer). Switch back and forth till I settle on a pair I can use for a bit. I once changed a single prescription 3 times before it was clear that my eyes/PMR were playing games with me. I've been diagnosed 4 years, and I've quit paying for new lenses until things settle down.
I 've had PMR( diagnosed ) since August 2014 last year was happily at 5 and down yo 4 . As I had contact lenses I continued with my opticians which was boots. I was aware lady airmen at how dark things seemed I needed more light all the time.( I have struggled to get down below 4 mgs but that at present seems to be my threshold level)
Routine test I mentioned struggling with light and they identified I had posterior cat acts one eye worse than the other he said he'd phone and. Should hear within a week.( I inNorfolk) . Sure enough I did had appointment ( weeks later and ops fone 3 weeks later. What shocked me was , when both eyes tested before right eye op I could read the letters with my left eye and not right, as expected. 2 weeks later went in to do the left eye, had sight test again and my left eye could not read a thing ! The deterioration was that fast , I asked if this was usual and the nurses said not unusual with steriods which waxs why they had booked for both my eyes to be done ASAP. So either I ws do sense I hadn't realised how bad I was or they were diplomatic so as not to frighten me!!
Sorry for long response but me advice is get tested and tell them everything., I'd difficulties reading with light etc. It was astonishing to get sight back it was like a yellow film had been peeled back and I still have to wart sunglasses as I'm getting used to the light . By the way I'm just 60 and felt too young for all this! NT delighted with silver lining of 20/29 vision , only need v mild reading glasses. Great 😃.
Wispa123, we all understand about predictive text! But you can actually edit your post. Just click on the little arrow and you'll see the option to edit.
Pred makes my eye pressures rise, the higher I am. That can cause glaucoma and I have had laser eye surgery for that plus use two eye drop for it. If you are in England one of the very common opticians are now approved by the hospitals to check eye pressure and report to hospital. They are reasonably priced. Steroids are a reason to get your eyes checked as if you do have glaucoma develop you can lose your sight if not treated.
Only a guess, but it might be because your eyesight may change when you're on high dose pred. That means that you might have to change glasses a few times when you are tapering. I had big problems focusing when on 100-80-60mg. The eyesight improved somewhat as I tapered further, but not completely. My old glasses were not clear anymore, due to wear and tear. Therefore I went to the optician and bought new ones when I had come down to 15mg. My distance sight had changed a lot on my left eye.
Yes Bittebitt, I now realise that I will have to buy new frames, as not only are the present lenses from an old prescription and and consequently, not fit for purpose, but my old glass frames are coming very close to being held together with Sellotape!
Hello everyone. I work with eyes (macular degeneration) and would like to clear up a couple of points mentioned above. Firstly any opticians shop is only as good as the optometrist you see within that shop. Therefore private or chain makes no difference apart from how well you are treated by that shop. Some private businesses are brilliant and some appalling - it's the same with the chains. Where you have the prescription made up is a matter of personal preference. Secondly, everyone over 50, whatever their condition, should have an annual eye check. If you don't have any 'special conditions' you may have to pay for every other check (approx. £25). Thirdly, if you want to save money on prescription sunglasses you can always buy 'fit-overs' - they are comfy and light-weight but not very glamorous! Easily obtainable from £7.50 - £30 from low vision suppliers such as RNIB or Optima low vision or SW Retail low vision. A cheaper alternative to new sunglasses until things settle down.
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