Reduced vision due to drugs?

[Wegetarian]

Has your vision changed after taking Pred or MTX? Am a bit worried since I noticed last week that I had difficulties looking at some very small text on my TV. Figured I might have messed up some setting, but double checked them that they were fine. Noticed the same last Saturady when I was driving and I couldn't read signs as easily as before. I have always had good vision and never used glasses. Would seem like a weird coincidence that it would happen just now when I'm upping my MTX dose (20mg last week).

Mentioned it to my Doc last Friday but we figured we'd just monitor the situation. I hadn't really noticed it except twice when watching TV, but on Sunday when I was driving it seemed more obvious and I also figured on Monday that I think I have a harder time reading signs at the store than I used to (but it was kind of minor, hard to say how far I could read signs earlier). Anyway, since before I had only noticed it when watching TV at night when I'm usually quite tired I got a bit worried that it might be something affecting my eyes. I checked the MTX info sheet that came with the pills and it listed reduced vision as a potential side effect and said to immediately contact the doc if that happens.

I called the hospital and my doc won't have time to call until late next week, the nurse consulted a surgeon and said to not take any more MTX before I have talked to the doc.

A quick google showed that people had needed to change their glasses after being on MTX for a longer time. I also heard Pred can cause issues to your eyes, something about eye pressure and again I guess needing different glasses.

Anyway, I suppose I'll take the nurses advice and skip my this weeks MTX unless I hear from the doc. Would be interesting to hear if you guys have had any similar issues.

[Alysia]

Hi.
maybe you do need glasses.
I have glasses since I was 6 years old, (being "bookworm" ) so I don't know how it could be without them
but I can tell that since I started MTX, shortly after, I found that I need also glasses for reading (prob I am getting older, 45 already but the coincidence is intersting).
I think you should see eye-doc.
and insist on getting an answer from your doc about MTX.
and sleep well enough (can be from fatigue ?)

[Wegetarian]

I actually went to see our company doc yesterday, and got a note from him that gets me too visit an eye-doc (opthamologist I guess) but the first available time was Fri next week. I guess he wouldn't know about MTX either but probably a good idea to see one anyway. I was also told I could cancel the time on Thu next week when I should have talked with my regular doc.

I'm really surprised though that they couldn't arrange a phone time earlier, I mean suggesting me to stop my medications because they can't get 10 minutes of her time sounds iffy I know she is away today, but she would be available on wed and thu so there would be two days for her two try to squeeze me in before I skip my meds. I do understand she must be very busy though.

[mishb]

Hey Wege,

I guess it wouldn't be a bad idea to see an Opthamologist anyway.

When I started on my medications it was suggested that I see one every 6 months due to changes that pred can cause - they didn't say MTX.
I also take plaquenil which can cause glaucoma, which is another reason I need to go.

- so far (touch wood) so good.

I guess, as I get closer to the age of 50 and onwards years, I will probably find that the eyes will start to deteriorate - but hopefully just from age and not from any meds

[drz]

Pred really messes with your vision. doctors told me there was no point in trying to fix my vision with new glasses since nothing would work for long as pred dosage changed. When it got bad enough to have cataract surgery that really improved my vision so I can get by without glasses except for close up reading or when I want 20/20 distant vision. You can drive fine with 20/30 or even 20/40 vision in most states without glasses.

[Wegetarian]

Thanks for the comments! Wen't for a quick eye-exam at the mall, they said my distant vision was impaired and glasses would help me. Booked a more thorough exam for Friday when they check what kind of glasses I'd need. It was free, so figured what the heck. Won't get glasses before I talk with my docs though.

drz, do you know if that's something which will return to normal when/if I'm off Pred, or is it permanent?

[Wegetarian]

One more thing, I wonder if its the Pred causing it because I'm now on only half the dose that I was a month ago, while we have been upping the MTX each week (currently 20mg). Just seems like a weird coincidence.

[drz]

Thanks for the comments! Wen't for a quick eye-exam at the mall, they said my distant vision was impaired and glasses would help me. Booked a more thorough exam for Friday when they check what kind of glasses I'd need. It was free, so figured what the heck. Won't get glasses before I talk with my docs though.

drz, do you know if that's something which will return to normal when/if I'm off Pred, or is it permanent?

If pred causes cataracts that becomes permanent until they are removed with an easy surgery. Other changes heal them self as much of it is due to excess dryness or excess tears and some times changes in blood sugar which also affects your vision.Try some refresh eye drops (artificial tears) and see if that gives you any temporary help. Check BG level if you have a friend with diabetes and a BG test kit. Other wise see any ophthalmologist to get info on what physical changes are affecting your vision.

[Wegetarian]

Thanks drz I know I said it before, but I really like to have you in this forum.

[pwc51]

My experience - I was fairly short sighted before WG struck. 18 months after diagnosis, having been on high dose prednisolone and having had many very high dose steroid infusions, my eyes were noticeably deteriorating. The optician increased the prescription by about 30%. I asked if this change was normal to which they said 'no' but they could not see anything wrong! I asked for a referal to my doctor who then referred me to a specialist. Cataracts were immediately diagnosed. (apparently medication induced ones are different from the more natural ones)

The treatment was simple and painless - after nearly 55 years of wearing glasses I now have really good vision with no correction apart from for reading / computer work.