Eye Exam

[JanW]

Can someone tell me what to expect in an eye exam now that I have an WG vs. a regular eye exam? I have (I think) perfect vision and am embarrassed to admit that I haven't seen an eye doctor since I was in my 20s. When I called to make the appointment with the specialist my rheumy recommended, the receptionist said I would receive the full 'rheumo panel' that included several baseline tests that she asserted were important to have prior to reaching full strength on immunosuppressants. All non-invasive. Just wondering what they may be. This guy specializes in autoimmune diseases affects on the eye.

[Jack]

For my eye examinations, I've been given an assortment of eye drops. One of them relaxes the muscles that control the lens so you can't focus for a couple of hours. You may need someone to help you get home unless you are willing to wait for it to wear off. Some of it stings slightly, but nothing painful. :)

[Sangye]

I see a neuroopthalmologist at JHU to monitor the elevated intracranial pressure. He does a number of tests that mostly look at the optic nerve, since that's what is affected by elevated pressure. They measure the blind spots and do more extensive examination of the eye than usual.

You can expect them to check for glaucoma and dilute your pupils to get a better look inside the eye. Unless you have dark sunglasses, make sure to take a pair of their disposable ones with you. The last time I went I didn't take them and had to drive myself home 1.5 hrs. It was pretty bad. I was already toast from the exertion and the visit. (The tests they do on me are quite painful-- much more prolonged looking at bright lights, etc... than normal.)

[moyan]

Sangye, did you know you came to this planet to learn and share?

[Sangye]

LOL-- yes, it was all in the training manual.

[jola57]

Oh dear Sangye, I too didn't havesun glasses on monday when I had the eye test. fortunately it was very cloudy. Jan, the nurse will put couple of freesing eye drops in (just a little teeny tiny sting ( less than an eylash) she will then have you check by reading a chart with left and right eye, then you wil get new drops to dilate you pupils and the doc will look inside and measure the pressure in the eye ( no pain as you are already frozen from the drops). As Sangye said do not forget your sunglasses or have someone drive you since your pupils will be dialated for at least a few hours

[jola57]

I just read my post - it is time for beddy bye I hardly make any sense He he he

[Sangye]

I must be as tired as you Jolanta, since your post made perfect sense to me! :D

[coffeelover]

I just had my annual eye exam yesterday. The only thing different for me as a weggie than a regular person (ha ha) is that my eye doctor asked me to come in every other month to have the eye pressure exam test because of my steroid use. I can do that. Wish i didnt ned those darn bifoclas though!
lisa coffeelover

[pberggren1]

I know that the opthamologist I see has never even heard of WG before I came along.

[jola57]

LOL Sangye, we were both good for bed then,
Phil, many have not heard of us, but we are bocomming organized ah hopefully heard, i so look forward to the day when we will no longer be misdiagnosed

[Cindy M]

I started seeing an opthamologist after being diagnosed with WG. I cannot say enough good things about him. He is very straight forward, knows about WG's and even increased my preds when he could not get in touch with my rhuemy. When he did contact my rhuemy he asked her to put through the paper work for 2 IV's of preds when my vision became so bad from WG's. He was sure I was going to lose my vision, had the bulging eye, ended up with 3 masses behind my eye.

[Sangye]

Thank goodness for our hero docs who come through like that. :)

[jola57]

What good luck to have him as your eye doc

[DEE]

just rang opticians after getting letter to say i need yearly check up. so i explained been dx with wg
in the uk if you have some medical conditions you can get your test free so i ask about it
she said is that a type of cancer or diabetis and when i said no she said WELL NO THEN BECAUSE WE DONT HAVE A TICK BOX FOR YOUR DISEASE :-
DEE

[pwc51]

Dee - one other option for free tests with the optician is conditions within the family. My father suffers from glaucoma so that qualifies me for free tests (they make all the money back on the cost of the glasses they sell me!)

[Sangye]

Dee, there are many diseases that affect the eye besides cancer or diabetes. Surely they must have a box for "other?" I'd call again, talk to their supervisor if necessary. That's just ignorant.

[DEE]

it wasnt about getting the test free i was just asking about it
it was more about the way she dismissed me because i didnt fit in a tick box
as we say here jobworth gone mad
going to ask wg consult to be referred back to hospital optician just want test for peace of mind also as i still have problems with my eyes
i know some can be drugs related buy i had pressure and double vision problems early on DEEx

[Sangye]

Yeah, that dismissive behavior is really hard to deal with. Just remember, it's a reflection of her, not you. :)

[DEE]

thanks sangye :)

[Lightwarrior]

Yeah, that dismissive behavior is really hard to deal with. Just remember, it's a reflection of her, not you. :)

I agree with Sangye, she is not a critical thinker most likely only trained to operate within a flow chart. Ask for a supervisor next time.

[elephant]

I ditto Sangye and Lightwarrior. Moyan you deserve the best! :)

[onatreetop]

Hello. Sorry its been a while. I have been dealing with my eye doc and a retna specialist,Had mra of head, brain and orbital area. Lost my vision in the right eye for about 3 seconds. Pretty freaky really. But it came back. my eye doc told me every six monthes for exams because of the meds. The only thing I noticed that was different was the pressure testing during the exam. But it had been a while since I had been. I have been lucky no bad findings or change, Of coarse that doesnt expain why the blackout happened in one eye either. Pred was dropped to 15mg but now back to 20mgs because of pain and more pain. Found more problems in my back when they did the mraof the spine. accelertated disc blah blah blah, I knew that was comiing. Anyway, I love my eye docs group they are really good about getting me into where ever I need to go. Hope it is working out better for you guys.

[elephant]

Good to hear from you Onatreetop. So what is going with your eye? That is scarey, hope it doesn't happen again. Hang in there!

[onatreetop]

We dont know. Tested and searched. But nothing has come up. Everything is good. The only other reason would be TIA. But there is nothing on the mra or mri of the brain so............. your guess is as good as mine? All the docs are looking.

[elephant]

Onatreetop how is your blood pressure? I am sounding like a nag....but I hope you have a blood pressure machine to check your blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is around 120/80, but more doctors are liking patients to have a blood pressure like 115/70. Wishing you the best Onatreetop. Wrapping my trunk around your tree for a big HUG!

[Sangye]

Wrapping my trunk around your tree for a big HUG!
That made me smile. So sweet! :)

[DEE]

no wonder my consult commented on mine again on thursday 140 / 85 again which is good for me usually higher this is when imtake three different blood presure tablets too !!! DEE x

[onatreetop]

Thank you. I have been watching it. It has been good. My pupils are dailating different sizes and that is freaking me out but they say its the meds. I can feel the difference when its happening. Strange feeling. Other wise busy as ever. move all day and passout everynight. Went for the second sleep study and used the cap and no more soring. But no sooner rem either. Went into rem 15 minutes before I woke up.

[elephant]

What medicine is causing the dilating of the pupils? That would freak me out too.

[onatreetop]

Not sure really most of them say possible side effect of visual changes or blurring and dizziness. yeapy!!!

[Sangye]

Those are all common side effects for many drugs, but that's different than causing unequal pupil dilation. Did you ask a pharmacist?

[Sangye]

I just did a quick Google search and can't find any drugs that cause unequal pupil dilation other than using eye drops in only one eye. There are several conditions that cause it, though. Please call your doctor and check on it. It could be serious.

Anisocoria: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003314.htm)

[pberggren1]

Onatreetop, what is rem?

[JanW]

REM: rapid eye movement.

[onatreetop]

I will call pharm right now. REM sleep is the deep sleep that we all require to get rested fully. i dont get there. Another side effect of all the meds the sleep study beleives. I see the eye doc again on thursday. Went a couple weeks ago to the retna specialist. Everything was good. pressure good. The only thing he noted was pigment change in the colored area. Just slightly. I have always had gold flakes mixed in the green but now there are darker spots too. We are watching them closlely now. No more blackouts which is good.

[elephant]

Glad to hear that onatreetop. Your eye sound so pretty!

[onatreetop]

Thanks. they are different. My middle son has them to and gets comments all the time.

[Sangye]

I'm sure glad you haven't had any more vision blackouts.

[onatreetop]

Me too. That was freaky!! And really scary! you dont relieze how much you use parts of your body until you lose them breifly, I would miss my vision probably more than anything.

[Sangye]

The increased intracranial pressure thing I have has almost cost me my vision in the past. It was awful living with seriously impaired vision in both eyes.

[DEE]

reading this just reminded me should have gone for eye test last week whilst in hospital will have to re book also missed ENT appointment after waiting or three months although they re booked for six weeks i suppose been able to breath fprst was a better idea :) DEE X

[Col 23]

Hi Dee
Breathing is good.
Col 23

[onatreetop]

Went to the eye doc again. Got to pick out glasses for everyday wear. I have had reading glasses for about a year but didnt need the others til now darn meds. I should have them tuesday and hopefully get rid of some of the headaches too. Get to see yet another retna specialist in two weeks. Theregugukar exam was ok but he wasntsure if he could see a small amount of fuild or not. So.............................specialist away.

[elephant]

Onatreetop, I need reading glasses too...but in denial. Glad you staying on top of your eye.

[jola57]

I have glasses too but need them only when there is a bad light or my eyes get blurry.

[onatreetop]

They do help. I got some at the dollar store. A pair for each room in the house I might read in that way I am not searching for them all the time and for a dollar who cares. I actually use them because they are handier that way too. being 42 with 20/20 all along until now things are changing.