Eye examinations

[skippy16]

I am waiting to have an eye examination, how is the connected to my Hep C? I am awaiting to start a new trial treatment very soon.

[Idyllic]

My GI advised me to have a traditional eye exam and a retina scan prior to  treatment last time (five years ago) and again this time. I never knew other people did the baseline eye stuff prior to treatment until recently.
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Traditional eye exam, an eye doctor dilates your eyes with special eyedrops and then checks your retinas for abnormalities using an ophthalmoscope — a lighted magnifying instrument.

During a laser retina scan, such as Optomap, your eyes may or may not be dilated. A laser scans your eyes and then produces digital images of your retinas. Your eye doctor can use the images to check for abnormalities. The images can be saved in your medical record and used to compare the condition of your retinas from year to year.

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Be sure to verify your insurance benefits for the retina scan. The first time I has no problem but this time they wanted a referral from my doctor and the scan was billed under major medical (rather than my eye insurance).

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/eye-exam/AN01663

[skippy16]

I thank you for your reply to my question. I did talk to my nurse yesterday and he finaly told me the same thing. I am awaiting an appointment to see opthamologist.

[skippy16]

Thank you for you reply to my question.

[mikesimon]

I suffered a retinal tear while treating - actually it tore in 2 places.
An eye surgeon tacked it back and it's fine thankfully.

[dontworry_behappy1]

Saw this post and made the appointment to see a Retinal Consultant.
Had a retinal tear in past.  Thanks for the heads up.

[pooh55811]

Some of the Hepatitis C medications can cause eye problems. They want a baseline eye exam so that if you do develop any eye problems or vision changes they can compare the new findings to the findings on your baseline eye exam. Your baseline eye exam should be done by an opthamologist and include a retinal scan.

[frijole]

Interferon can cause damage to the retina so the doctors in the know usually like a baseline retina exam.  This is different from the usual eye exam -- I had to find a retina specialist for mine.  He rechecked me at about week 42 of interferon and has seen some - what he calls - yellow spots in the peripheral of my retina that he wants me to have a peripheral vision test for.  So now back to my optometrist for that test.  The doctor was not too concerned about these spots.

You can also get cotton wool spots and possible retina hemorraging from interferon.  It is rare, but it happens.

Good luck with your upcoming trial.

frijole