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Question re: Routine eye exams

Posted , 7 users are following.

jean39702
jean39702

For all you "pro's" out there.  When I started on prednisone over 3 years ago I was sent for eye exams every 3 months. May have been excessive, but it gave me some ease. About a year later it changed to every six months.Last October it changed again to annual.  I'm currently at 10.5 mg and going for my annual eye exam this morning. It's earlier than scheduled, but I will be out of the country in October.

I have never had any eye issues apart from the usual dryness at the higher dosages and fluctuation in prescription strength.  I resisted getting new lens for three years, but recently caved and now have great lens. Hopefully things have settled down in that regard.

My question: Is there a general protocol for the frequency of regular eye exams when on prednisone?

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH jean39702

    Posted

    Not really - annually is what used to be advised in the UK but that has lapsed too!  The first eye specialist at the hospital here said come back in 6 months and I looked aghast! She admitted that was probably a bit OTT. This year's lady said that raised eye pressure either happen or don't. It hasn't happened in 7 years so it probably never will. If there is any sign of rising eye pressures then more frequent monitoring would be advised.

  • Anhaga
    Anhaga jean39702

    Posted

    It depends.  I had my eyes tested after having been on pred for about six months, and as my eye pressure was significantly higher than my usual reading the ophthalmologist asked me to come back in four months.  By that time my dose was lower and so was the eye pressure, so I had another appointment eight months later and since then have been told to come back annually.  I had been getting eye exams every two years for many many years.  I was also checked very carefully for signs of GCA at that first appointment, but no problem there.  I certainly think it is very important to have a thorough eye check a few months after starting pred.  If no problems are detected (not many people get increased ocular pressure) then the eye doctor should know what to tell you regarding follow up.
  • maid_mariane
    maid_mariane jean39702

    Posted

    I was yearly but soon went to 6mos because of eye issues but as i reduce and putting drops in daily i feel I'm stabilizing so i would say after next visit it will be yearly.

    We are each different in how pmr and or prednisone effects us. You can't be overly cautious when it comes to sight. My opinion.

    Mariane

  • koen1
    koen1 jean39702

    Posted

    In the US, at least here in upstate NewYork there is no eye exam at all. I have GCA and have been going from 60mg to 25 in 4 months, back up to 60 down to 15 over another  9 months and now back to 30mg because of a second flare up. I had one eye exam for driving glasses, which did not reveal any problems. I have so far few side effects from the prednisone.
  • Twopies
    Twopies jean39702

    Posted

    I am in u.s.  Just got back from eye exam scheduled every 6 months due to corneal edema which I never had prior to pmr.  This morning the opthamologist said my cataracts are getting cloudier, will need surgery in 3-4 years.  Interesting because I never had either prior to pmr, also interesting because the recent mayo study of medication side effects and pmr patients cited cataracts as being more prevalent in pmr patients than the control group, although they couldn't specifically cite prednisone as a causative factor.  However, my eye doc was very clear:  prednisone makes cataracts worse, he said.  And since it looks like I'm stuck on pred for a couple more years doing the dsns method, I'm just hoping I can hold out for cataract surgery until I'm pmr free.

    one more thing:  I have absolutely no signs of gca or change in eye pressure, which is a good thing.  Doc will recheck me in April....

    hope this helps...best wishes 

     

    • EileenH
      EileenH Twopies

      Posted

      Don't see the association of being pred/PMR-free and cataract surgery. Once the cataracts are removed and replaced with artificial lenses they can't return - and most eye surgeons will operate on patients on moderate doses of pred.

    • Twopies
      Twopies EileenH

      Posted

      It's just me--I'm terribly reactive to all meds...and many foods and environmental triggers and on and on.  Except for pred, I put nothing in my body.  I'm struggling with the eye drops and ointments for the corneal edema--they make my eyes and face swell something terrible.  no clue how I would handle cataract surgery although will cross that bridge when I come to it.  Just figured that if I were off the pred, the better for me personally.

  • jean39702
    jean39702

    Posted

    Thanks for the feedback folks.  It appears annually is the rule of thumb, which was confirmed for me yesterday as the practice set by the ophthalmologist here in the Northwest Territories of Canada,  The exams would be more frequent if eye issues were present i.e. elevated eye pressure, macular degeneration etc.

    I'm clear on vision and eye pressure for another year. 👀

     

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