I've noticed that in the past eight months my eye sight has really deteriorated. I've always had reading glasses for eye strain, but now find I can't read without them. When I write without my glasses, I only see a blur. Is there any correlation between my deteriorating eye sight and RA - or is it just me getting older (in my 40s now)?
Karen
RA can affect the eyes. You should get your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist atleast every 2 years. My rheumy makes sure I get this done because I'm a little reluctant. I know he'd drive me if he could too. It is very important to get this done so if there is damage to your eyes being done, the ophthamologist can get on top of it so more damage isn't done. Make an appointment!!
Hi Kara, the 40s is the typical time when most people, even those who never needed glasses before, start to need reading glasses. There are some who go the other way and need distance glasses instead, but that's less common. I don't know if your disease has any influence on what's going on, but your age probably does. Since you've already needed reading glasses, it sounds to me like your eyes are just getting a bit weaker and it's time to change your prescription. Hi Kara, first off what meds are you taking? Pred. induced cataracts are an issue when you've been on Pred. If you haven't been on Pred. take the above suggestion and have your eyes examined by an opthalmologist, not an optician. Nothing against opticians but the opthal. really screens you for diseases that can cause vision changes. LindyThanks for the feedback guys. The only med I'm on now is oxycodone - my first rheumy appointment isn't until March. So for now, it's just pain management. I'm afraid that the way things are going, I won't be walking in two months.
Wow! How come you can't see a rheumatologist for 5 months? That's crazy. Is there a different one you can get an appointment with? Anyway, I get my eyes checked every year because I wear contact lenses and I have to get my year's supply every January. I have in the last month though noticed a change in my eyesight. My left eye had sort of a really red (almost blood blister) on the side of it. I went to the eye guy and he said it could be my ra. He said it could be inflammation from the ra. I'm on pred. drops in my eye 4x a day for a week, then I go back and he checks them again. The unrelated cause for the blurred vision is that I have an astigmatism (not sure what that is though) that may have gotten worse, in whcich case he said I just need a better fitting contact in that eye.
Yes, RA and PA can affect the eyes hugely. I learned this the hard way. I have PA induced glaucoma, and am being checked on every three months for changes. I can tell there has been some changes. I also have cateracts...not sure why...my Rheumy does not believe in long term steriod use, so I have not gotten the normal relief from steriods while they wait for meds to kick in. So, the cataracts are a mystery, but I have them, but the glaucoma is of more concern. They usually do not see the hollowing out of the optic nerve at 41.
See an opthomologists, and they will help. Also, dry eye syndrome is caused by autoimmune diseases. I have punctal plugs in all of my tear ducts. That was causing my blurry vision then, and making my eyes very tired at night. So, be careful with eyesight.
Shelly, thats very helpful, I have terribly dry eyes then they get blurry, then I get headaches and very, very sore tired eyes. I thought I'd been sitting at my computer looking at my spreadsheets too long. I'm going to get mine checked again.
Yes, that does sound like what i was going through last year. I even had contacts pop out when I was teaching. The kids loved the interruption...it was irritating to me. They do a test with a strip of paper to see the amount and quality of tears you produce. My strip of paper was dry, and my cornea was scratched so badly, I had to take eye drop antibiotics. I love the plugs...I do have some trouble if I don't sleep well, but for the most part I am fine, and my contacts stay in!
Yes it is important to have your eyes checed yearly when you have any form of arthritis. Also take in consideation your age too, this is the time that your eyes do becomed affected that you may need reading glasses. I have worn glasses since 4th grade, I am now 50 and my problem isn't not being abl to see things close that I need reading glasses. I am able to do anything up close, like reading, stitching, computer, etc without any glasses, now. I can have bifocals, but they are a pain in the but. So alot of times I have to wear my glasses on a clip on my shirt at work while I do paperwork. Do have your eyes checked and see if you need some reading glasses, also the dr will be albe to tell if the arthritis is doing any damage to your eyes. meme
I thought it was down to the sinus infection that my eyes were hurting, as in dry and so sore and tired. On Friday I was sat in front of my computer with 2 different pairs of glasses by the side of my keyboard. One pair is only 5 months old but I just couldnt focus. I've just moved my desk so that I'm not under the lighting, I've moved my Mac back and forth but nothing seems to be doing the trick.
I think another visit to the optician is best, better to be safe than sorry, especially as my gran and my dad both had/have glaucoma.
Thanks for the prodding girls
i have had RA for seven years and my sight has very much deteriated, i suffer with dry socket and also get coliderscope vision , that can often make me feel very sickly. has anyone else experienced any similar eye problems like this.
methatrexate 10mg weekly, humira40g fortnightly, folic acid 5mg
I have noticed deterioration (poor vision, dry sockets, distorted view) but eye doc assures me there is nothing to be concerned about.Jay are you going to an opthamologist? They have very fancy equipment, and can do a lot more. That is how I know exactly what is happening to my eyes. Also, my doc is very proactive with this disease process. My old one would have let my eyesight totally deteriorate.
Thanks again for the comments. I'll have my eyes checked again soon. I've noticed too that my eyes are burning badly, but only in the morning when I wake up, then it goes away after about an hour.