Blurry eyes - caused by Pred? And resolving after Pred stops?

[Predderman2020]

About 2 weeks ago I started to have problems with focussing out of my left eye. I went to the Optometrist who said all was fine - nerve, glaucoma, cataracts. I had been to an opthalmologist a month before with a stye (sorry!) and he carried out a similar exam and said the same. Ie: all was fine . But some posts have made me very nervous. I see PMRpro noticed blurriness due to Pred (not caused by an illness caused by Pred, I think), which then resolved as she tapered. If there is no permanent effect on my eyes once Pred is stopped and resolving as I reduce then that is fine. However, is there a risk that the blurriness will remain after Pred, and be more likely to remain the longer I am on Pred? A lot of questions, but thanks for any advice. T

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

You’re right, Pred can cause blurriness, particularly higher doses. It usually resolves as you reduce.....and cannot recall anyone complaining of it once off the Pred.

It can be a bit worrying and disconcerting, but as you’ve been given the all clear by ophthalmologist, just accept it’s a nuisance, and nothing more serious than that.

Obviously monitor things and if not happy, just get it checked regularly.

[Predderman2020 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks, DorsetLady. Very good advice. And reassuring. T

[Kendrew]

Just to say that as DorsetLady described, I had blurred vision on higher doses of pred but it diminished rapidly as I reached lower doses.

[Predderman2020 in reply to Kendrew]

Less alarmed now. Just bought new Armanis. That will teach me.

[Kendrew in reply to Predderman2020]

Haha! Perhaps try Superdrug 'readers' next time!😄All joking apart, it's important to be mindful of any eye concerns, but pred can definitely cause blurry vision. I remember a feeling of wanting to blink to kind of 'wash' eyes clear.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Is it just the pred? Or is it due to dry eyes? Did the optometrist check for that too?

Can't remember anyone saying pred blurriness persisted after pred unless there was some other cause such as dry eyes due to the autoimmune disorder.

[Koalajane]

My eyes can be a bit blurry due to dry eyes

[Predderman2020 in reply to Koalajane]

Mine nit so dry, in fact. Hope yours are manageable. T

[Koalajane in reply to Predderman2020]

Dry eyes make them watery so I use eye drops thanks

[SnazzyD]

My eyes were a pain on higher doses of Pred in that they they couldn’t change focus very easily. I scared myself one day when I looked up from a book into the garden but the garden was blurry and I’m long sighted. A few minutes later my eyes had adjusted. I also got confused by motion because my eyes couldn’t keep up. It got better with dose reduction over 3.5 years. Because of that constant change I didn’t opt to change my glasses prescription. I did get the pressures checked every 3 months.

[MrsNails in reply to SnazzyD]

I had similar from a book/phone to the TV - always took a while to focus, learnt to stop one & refocus before changing what l was looking at! 😉

It was a Pain! 👓

[Predderman2020 in reply to SnazzyD]

Same scary event fir me. Tapering slowly and hoping for improvement just like you. T

[MrsNails]

Hi

When l was put on to high doses of Pred it caused problems with focusing, particularly with the middle distance.

I’m myopic & found l could read better without my glasses, could see if the distance OK but anything arms length was very blurred. My optician ordered a pair of middle distance glasses for me which l found invaluable especially in the house.

My optician said not to buy New Lenses at that time & the ones he made for me were calculated using my existing prescription so it was like varifocals but in separate pairs! 👓 👓 👓

Once l reduced the Pred it did settle until l had Chemo & had a similar problem which again resolved eventually.

It’s always good to get your eyes checked but not always necessary to have a New Prescription as that could change again very quickly.

What Dose of Pred are you on?

[Predderman2020 in reply to MrsNails]

Thanks. Exactly the info I needed. Too late for the new specs tho! T

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Predderman2020]

When eyes “settle” you can just have new lenses ....when my cataract was deteriorating that’s what I did ...at the suggestion of the optometrist! If you’ve purchased expensive frames, you don’t want to waste them.

[Predderman2020 in reply to DorsetLady]

Good idea! Thanks.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

And the same happens to me as to Snazzy and MrsNails - down to not changing prescription and needing middle distance specs.

[Predderman2020 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. Excellent info as ever. T

[Cosmos22Marigold]

Reading all these comments and your problem it sounds very much what I am experiencing now. What dose preds are you on now. My eyes have been like this for the last 2 months but my Dr just says it's the steroids and it will change as time goes on. I can also see better without my glasses. Not much help when you're experiencing this and it's frightening. It is easing off slightly now that I am down to 12.5 from 20 mgs. I am sure your doing right by getting them tested. Just a note to say I have read the book by Kate Gilbert PMR and GCA survival guide 2nd edition which was recommend to me by members of the forum and I finished it today.Such a good book for us sufferers. I felt better after reading it. Hope your eyes settle soon.

[Predderman2020 in reply to Cosmos22Marigold]

Thanks. I will get that book. Expensive tho isn’t it? I was on 20mg, now down to 15mgs. Glad to have these comments which reassuring. There always seems to be more to learn, urgently. Mainly driven by fear and pain. But very pleased to hear the PMR outlook is generally optimistic, even if not conclusively so. T

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Predderman2020]

Is under £10 expensive? And £6 as a Kindle book?

Don't bother wasting your money on the others in the "frequently bought together" pack

[Predderman2020 in reply to PMRpro]

Good hint. I will get. Thanks.

[Predderman2020 in reply to Predderman2020]

GI received the book and read it in one sitting. Excellent and very heartening, although welcomely realistic. Cheered me up! Blurry eyes and the effect of Pred is covered, as is the distinction with GCA in that regard. I would wholly recommend the book.

[Hidden]

My eyes are same have been on and off for few wks, I had mine tested last monday and all fine no problems at least for anything to cause concern about, just needed new reading glasses which I will pick up on 22nd, so hopefully new glasses will make a difference, but will need eye test every yr while on pred and for few yrs after I stop taking them and if all ok then I can go back to 2 yearly

[Predderman2020 in reply to Hidden]

I am living in Malta and it’s easy to book the eye tests (by Messenger!) and not expensive. While it’s like this, I am going regularly, although he said come yearly. Then at least I will not lash myself too much later if I have to make a hard decision having left it too long. Good luck with new glasses. My big TV monitor for the computer is fine, the iPad impossible ... .