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Eye problems due to PMR

Posted , 13 users are following.

muirkelsi
muirkelsi

My eyesight has got much worse during the last few days. I have had PMR for about 18 months, and am on 12.5mg of prednisolone. I have tried to get down further, but end up having sore arms and shoulders. I am not in pain at the moment, but my eyesight has changed, and I am really frightened.

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • arwen1972
    arwen1972 muirkelsi

    Posted

    Could you pop along to get your eyes tested? Or ask your Rheumy for an ophthalmology referral?
  • tina-uk_cwall
    tina-uk_cwall muirkelsi

    Posted

    Muirkelsi, I agree with arwen, make an appointment and get you eyes checked over. Preds aren't good for our eyes so get them checked.

    you say that you are experiencing problems reducing. Why not try as little a drop as .5 and see how you get on with that drop. Some patients simply cannot cope with the standard drops so I would be Tempted to at least try a .5 reduction. I only ever reduce by .5 and am currently at 8.5 following a flare in December last year that saw me having to up my preds to 10mgs. Also I always stay on each dose for a minimum if 6 weeks. Don't be frightened get your eyes checked. If however, you are experiencing any head pain or sensitivity, jaw pain when eating, along with vision problems do see your GP without delay. Regards, christina 

  • ptolemy
    ptolemy muirkelsi

    Posted

    Have you had an eye test recently? I was told I should have one yearly if on pred.
  • janet08828
    janet08828 muirkelsi

    Posted

    I get blurry vision on and off due to one of the prednisolone side effects.

    I also find that my eyes take longer to focus - if I have been reading and look up for example - the change from short distance to long - takes a whie sometimes.

    I have GCA so I had my eyes checked and they are fine - thank heavens!!

    If you are worried get your eyes tested - better sooner than later.

    • Mrs_CJ
      Mrs_CJ janet08828

      Posted

      Janet, I am so glad to see that someone else has the same issues that I do. I have PMR (on 4 1/2 mgs) and get regular checkups with my eye dr......and he always says my vision has not changed and I keep replying that I just can't see as well. So I have decided it's something to do with focussing slower. 

      My eyes are also slower to adjust from being in very bright sunshine and I now wear sunglasses much more often - even in partially cloudy days - and sometimes add a hat with a wide visor for extra shade for my eyes.  

      I really hope these eye issues disappear once we get off the Pred!

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy janet08828

      Posted

      I remember a teacher at school saying that as you get older it takes longer for your eyes to focus on things. She was teaching us physics and I think she was relating it to lenses or something like that. Obviously I failed miserably to listen properly. Anyway it may not just be pred causing the focussing, but some of it may be blamed on anno domini. 
    • janet08828
      janet08828 Mrs_CJ

      Posted

      Hi mrs. cj

      Now that the sun has started to show itself I have also noticed that it affects me more than it used to - I said to my husband just yesterday that I must invest in a pair of good sunglasses!

      Like you I also like to read that someone has the same problems as me - confirms that it isn't just me and I that am right to expect improvement with the reduction of meds. Roll on oh happy da!!!

      I didn't notice the same difficulties last year so I am assuming that it is the length of time rather than the size of the dose?

      Don't know if that is right -

      my dose is less now than a year ago (still 10 mg) but I have been taking pred for going on 3 years.

      We live in hope!!

    • janet08828
      janet08828 ptolemy

      Posted

      Definitely - my eyes have changed over the years - 60 this year so I have my glasses - I had my eyes tested and new glasses not that long ago. The problem is that my slow focussing/blurry vision isn't a permanent situation - it changes and sometimes is worse than others. I did think of visiting the optician again - just not sure how she would be able to give me glasses for a changing situation - that maybe isn't present when she tests me?!

      At present I am living with it in the hope that it gets back to normal at some point in the not too distant future - ever the optimist!

  • Guest
    Guest muirkelsi

    Posted

    Do not hesitate with your eyesight. I was told that cataracts and glaucoma had to be carefully watched with GCA on prednisone. Good luck, Ann11195
  • EileenH
    EileenH muirkelsi

    Posted

    Are you sure the arms and shoulders problems are PMR returning? There are a few other things that cause similar pains which are helped by the higher doses of pred and resurface as you try to reduce. One is myofascial pain syndrome and I'm sure you have seen other posts about it from me. Bowen therapy does have a fantastic effect if that is what it is and is definitely worth a try - even just a couple of sessions should show if it will help you. At least if you can sort that out if it applies it means you need a lower oral pred dose for the PMR.

    I've had some strange visual effects with pred too - I didn't get new specs for ages because I didn't know from one day to the next how they'd been and just moved the ones I had up and down my nose!!

    But it is very important to go for annual eye checks when you are on pred - even if you have to pay for some. In the UK the ophthalmologist can do all the necessary tests - I have to get a hospital appointment here in Italy! Blooming pain - and I have to pay for it! They were very impressed last time when I handed over all the test results from an English optician!

  • Mrs.Mac-Canada
    Mrs.Mac-Canada muirkelsi

    Posted

    Hi Muirkelsi,

    i agree that you should have your eyes checked, if nothing else it will give you peace of mind.

    I have a history of high eye pressure (hereditary glaucoma) and when I went on pred they went very high and I had to begin eye drops.

    In general, like several others have found, my eye sight varies form day to day. Sometimes blurry and sometimes I need to move my glasses as Eileen mentioned.

    Hope you find out soon so you don't have to be afraid anymore😕.

    Hugs, Diana🌸

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