Detached Retina and PMR

[Roryfederer]

Hi,

I'd like to ask if there's any connection between a detached retina and PMR or steroid treatment. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia last year, am tapering down on steroids now but recently was diagnosed with a detached retina and had to have emergency surgery. I'd be grateful to find out if there's any medical evidence of a connection. Thanks in advance.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I doubt there is any research, or even a connection - not been discussed on here during the nine years I’ve been on forum. Only tenuous connection I’m aware of - I was sent to A&E on advice from optician (over phone, not in person) when he though “I might have a detached retina “ from symptoms - when actually it was GCA - before diagnosis, before steroids!

Usual Causes of a detached retina - from NHS -

A detached retina is usually caused by changes to the jelly inside your eye, which can happen as you get older. This is called posterior vitreous detachment (PVD).

It's not clear exactly why PVD can lead to retinal detachment in some people and there's nothing you can do to prevent it. But it's more likely to happen if you:

are short-sighted

have had an eye operation (such as cataract surgery)

have had an eye injury

have a family history of retinal detachment

[PMRpro Ambassador]

healthline.com/health/stero...

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

Detached retina is something that can occur with age so ANY visual problems should be reported to the doctor and investigated if necessary. It depends what the cause of the retinal detachment was and there is one form that probably is linked to steroids but tends to occur in much younger patients.

You wil note that the symptoms of detached retina can be quite similar to those of GCA - so any symptoms need to be taken seriously and not ignored.

[MrsNails]

Hi RoryI’ve had a PVD (posterior vitreous detachment) but was suspicious that it may be a detached retina as people who are very short sighted (Myopic) are prone to a Detached Retina, does this apply to you?

Regards

MrsN

[Roryfederer in reply to MrsNails]

Mrs Nails, Sorry I didn't see this till now. I am short sighted but not very short sighted. I obviously had some PVD before the retina detached but as floaters only occurred shortly after being diagnosed with PMR and taking steroids I thought it was still floaters till suddenly I couldn't see through one eye. It's hard to comprehend all of this happening within a year. I'm still waiting to get my sight back to somewhere where it was but there's no guarantee. Hope you're improving. 😀

[MrsNails in reply to Roryfederer]

Hi Rory - sorry to hear this - l’m approx -7.5 short sighted in both eyes - so have always been aware of the risk - that’s why l went to A&E - l’ve had a spell where the floaters stopped bothering me but l still do see them if it’s particularly bright. Take Care

MrsN

[Roryfederer in reply to MrsNails]

Thank you. I had them continuously and because a doctor said that was normal for people with floaters I didn't go in time and the retina detached. I'll never let it happen again. Take care.

[Rugger]

I have PMR and GCA but no detached retinas. My OH doesn't have PMR or GCA, but is short-sighted and has had a detached retina - twice in the same eye, so operated on.

I hope you have had excellent care, as he did - during the Covid pandemic too.

[Roryfederer in reply to Rugger]

Sorry I don't know how I missed your response. I'm glad your husband had great care. I'm still attending consultant. He was happy with the operation given the severity of the loss of vision but I had hoped to be able to see better at this stage. Please God it will improve. Hope your GCA and PMR will soon be in remission. Thank you for your response. 😀

[Jontie]

I've just had surgery for the same thing. Only a week ago but I can see barely anything. A bit dismayed to hear your recovery was so slow. How is your vision now?