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My vision is blurred, what do you advise?

Posted , 10 users are following.

Elijo
Elijo

Does your vision ever improve after you have successfully lowered your prednisone to 5mg.?  My vision has become so blurry since being on the higher doses of pred (originally 40 in Nov. 2015, now down to 5)?  I am wondering if it will gradually improve.  Has any one else experienced this?  Help!

0 likes, 38 replies

38 Replies

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  • alward
    alward Elijo

    Posted

    Do you have GCA?

    This happened ot my dad as he lowered his prednisone and they had to jump it back up again.  If there is any chance you have GCA you should see your eye doctor and call your rheumatologist immediately.

    • Elijo
      Elijo alward

      Posted

      No, I do not have GCA.  I'll check further into this. Thanks.
  • Juno-Irl-Dub
    Juno-Irl-Dub Elijo

    Posted

    Elljo, I certainly remember the 'blurry' episodes when on the higher Pred. doses. For me, it was only when I was down to around 3mg that I became aware that I hadn't had vision changes for a while. It was a great relief. Just don't panic about it. 

    You seem to have jumped very quickly from 40mg. to 5mg. in just 6 months. That sounds like a record. If you're doing well on 5mg., do consider reducing really slowly from here on.  I am assuming you were diagnosed with PMR . . . .     J

    • Elijo
      Elijo Juno-Irl-Dub

      Posted

      Yes I was dx w/ PMR.  I was on 40 for 1 mo., 30 for 3 months but was having so many unpleasant side effects, I was lowered to 25 & 20.  Now gradually tapering down.  I've had no flares so far.
  • Silver49
    Silver49 Elijo

    Posted

    My eyes are still giving problems with blurred vision after a year though not as frequently as initially but I do find it annoying. I had new specs prescribed early on in the diagnosis and I am not sure if they are correct. In fact I usually go back to my previous ones which I find better. I wonder if it was a mistake getting a new prescription when the vision was so altered. I am on 8.5 and that's after a year though I started at 20mgs. I'm sure you will get advice from the experts on here.
    • Elijo
      Elijo Silver49

      Posted

      Thanks.  I hesitated to get new prescription for my eyes since they were changing with the pred and I hoped they would return to normal.  I'll have to check into that if theings don't get better.
    • EileenH
      EileenH Silver49

      Posted

      I just moved my computer specs up and down my nose! Now they're back to being fine! Saved a fortune...
  • paula63201
    paula63201 Elijo

    Posted

    Hi Elijo,

    In my case, my blurred vision was from cataracts, whose growth was accellerated by Prednisone. I had cataract surgery a year ago. Was at around 5 mg at the time. Now down to around 1.5 mgs.

    Paula

     

  • John-42
    John-42 Elijo

    Posted

    It could be cataracts, not so bad but it could be an emergency to protect your vision.

    You must get a blood test, preferably at a hospital, if you need an ophthalmologist

    one should be available.  This must be taken very seriously.

    It sounds like you may have lowered your dose too quickly.

    Good luck !!

    • Elijo
      Elijo John-42

      Posted

      :HI John,  I did have cataract surgeryi several years ago.  Actually I have been tapering slowly since I was on 20mg.
  • MrsO-UK_Surrey
    MrsO-UK_Surrey Elijo

    Posted

    Elijo, steroids can cause blurring of your vision, even at the lower doses. But any problem with your vision should always be checked out by an expert asap to rule out, not only GCA, but other potentially serious problems as well.
    • Elijo
      Elijo MrsO-UK_Surrey

      Posted

      Thanks.  I had my regular ete exam in Jan.  He had no negative comments, but i've put off a new prescription awaiting a better return to normal.
  • Susanne_M_UK
    Susanne_M_UK Elijo

    Posted

    I suffer from blurry vision too. Have been on high doses of pred since end of 2014. Currently on 25mg.

    I'm due an eye test soon, but as my vision is unstable due to the pred, I'm not sure I want the expense of new glasses.

    • Elijo
      Elijo Susanne_M_UK

      Posted

      I'm down to 5 starting today and hoping it will clear some more.  I'm still getting the bruises and medical pros have informed me that myi skin will not change back  (along with age thinning skin).  So be it!
    • Silver49
      Silver49 Susanne_M_UK

      Posted

      I had an eye test when my vision was at its worst and I had a new prescription for which I chose new frames. I wish I hadn't as the specs are not as clear as previous ones. My blurred vision is not so frequent and I feel that I wasted money unnecessarily. That is only my experience but with hindsight ....excuse the pun.....I would have waited. I think you need to make the optician aware. 
    • MrsO-UK_Surrey
      MrsO-UK_Surrey Elijo

      Posted

      Elijo, it's true that our skin thins with age but nothing like as bad as when on steroids.  Your skin will improve once off steroids - just keep moisturising as much as possible with something like Double Base Gel meanwhile. 
    • Elijo
      Elijo MrsO-UK_Surrey

      Posted

      Thanks.  I'm using bag balm that was recommended by several on this forum.  I have cocoanut oil that I bought and occas. use that.  Is Doujble Base Gen similar?
    • Elijo
      Elijo Silver49

      Posted

      I'm going to wait for a while for it to clear (hopefully).  The prednisone onceit kicked in has caused more problems than my PMR!  I should be thankful that I haven't had the stiffness and pain, only sheer fatigue right now.  Maybe my adrenals will soon kick in.
    • MrsO-UK_Surrey
      MrsO-UK_Surrey Elijo

      Posted

      Elijo, Double Base Gel was first recommended to me by my podiatrist some years ago.  I tried it on me steroid-thinned and dry skin and found is hightly effective.  Many of us now use it and swear by it. m It's described as highly mosturising, protective and hydrating.  It contains something called isopropyl myristate and liquid paraffin.  When my skin was at its worst I rubbed it all over my body before getting in the shower (bit slippery so use a rubber mat.  Avoid all perfumed soaps and only use natural products when bathing/showering.
    • Elijo
      Elijo MrsO-UK_Surrey

      Posted

      Thanks so much.  Is it over the counter or do you need a special order?  My skin is always on the dry side and that should lbricate it.  Glad you are doing well.       Elinor
    • Silver49
      Silver49 Elijo

      Posted

      I also had it recommended by my podiatrist. If you are in the UK you can get it free at the pharmacy under minor ailments. You may have to ask. It is not expensive to buy but it is better to buy the large pump action which lasts for ages. The small tubes are expensive.
    • Elijo
      Elijo Silver49

      Posted

      Thanks.  I'm in the US in FL, but I'm sure I will be able to get it, and hopefullky the large pump action kind.  Good luck to you. By the wayi, my podiatrist took care of a wound on my leg with a zinc wrap and stockinette where  pred had caused an infection.  It was wonderful.
    • Silver49
      Silver49 Elijo

      Posted

      Thank you. I hope you are successful in buying it and that it moisturises your skin well. Podiatrists are very helpful if you have a good one.
    • Susanne_M_UK
      Susanne_M_UK Silver49

      Posted

      Silver, yes I will definitely mention it when I go for my test. If my sight is going to gradually improve as I taper down, there is little point in paying for new glasses now.
    • MrsO-UK_Surrey
      MrsO-UK_Surrey Elijo

      Posted

      Elinor, it is available in the UK both over-the-counter at many pharmacies and on prescription, although my health care authority has recently stopped writing prescriptions for skin creams/moisturisers on the NHS.
    • EileenH
      EileenH Elijo

      Posted

      That well-known jungle sales site lists Doublebase  with a dollar price but it comes from the UK - have a look there, not sure how much it costs though.

       

    • paula63201
      paula63201 EileenH

      Posted

      Good Morning,

      I checked the online site and I am seeing a 500 gm pump, for $41.99. It does not say where it ships from.

      Other vendors list the same for 41.50 and 41.99, shipped from the UK. I am prettu sure the these prices do not include shipping.

      I live in the US.

      Paula

    • Silver49
      Silver49 paula63201

      Posted

      It's a 500gm pump I have. I have just finished it today and have had it for several months. I think it costs about £12 over the counter. I don't know what that is in American dollars but I'll check.
    • Silver49
      Silver49 paula63201

      Posted

      That's at least twice the price it is in the UK. There's another name diprobase which you may get in the US.
    • Silver49
      Silver49 paula63201

      Posted

      It's almost three times the price it is in the UK. I've just checked. It would be heavy to ship. I wonder if that's where the cost is. Perhaps tubes would work out cheaper if the cost lies with the postage.
    • Silver49
      Silver49 paula63201

      Posted

      You can get it in the US under the name I mentioned. Worth a look on line which is what I have just done.
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