Eyesight problems on Tx

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone else has had problems with their eyesight while on tx. I'm on 1000mg Riba and interferon of course, and am in week 19. Over the last couple of weeks by eyesight has gotten significantly worse. I've always been nearsighted but this is very different...I can't see up close. It's not age related as I've been told that with my astigmatism I most likely will never need glasses for reading.

Thanks for any feedback.
June

[paen53]

Hi June,

I had some problems with dry eyes early on and "floaters" later in tx. Also my eyes often felt strained, which I attributed to the extreme fatigue. I didn't get another eye exam during tx ( perhaps should have) but a follow-up exam post tx showed no damage or significant change from the one before tx.. I did increase my magnifying glasses up a notch a couple months ago.

Eye issues can result from tx as the precautions list, so if the changes are significant as you say and going in a different direction, a visit to the eye Dr. might be in order, at least as a precaution.

[Trish77]

My eyesight worsened during treatment - not significantly but noticeably. I'm farsighted so I can see far away but not so well up close and that got worse.  My doc and I agreed not to bother testing or making any changes in prescription until six months out past EOT as there was no way of telling what was permanent or temporary until it was all done.  My prescription did change and is stronger but not by significant amounts, just noticeable.

Just the same...significantly worse is nothing to trifle with, in my mind.  I'd echo paen that it's a good precautionary measure to get in to see the doc about it.  

[Bill1954]

June, this is a warning about eyes from the Schering Plough (now Merck) prescribing info page. I think the odds of developing significant problems are rare, but if you’re one that this happens to, that’s of little comfort:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ophthalmologic disorders

Decrease or loss of vision, retinopathy including macular edema, retinal artery or vein thrombosis, retinal hemorrhages and cotton wool spots, optic neuritis, and papilledema may be induced or aggravated by treatment with peg-intron alpha 2b or other alpha interferons. All patients should receive an eye examination at baseline. Patients with preexisting disorders (e.g. diabetic or hypertensive retinopathy) should receive periodic ophthalmologic exams during interferon alpha treatment. Any patient who develops ocular symptoms should receive a prompt and complete eye examination. Pegintron alpha 2b should be discontinued in patients who develop new or worsening ophthalmologic disorders.  

www.spfiles.com/pipeg-intron.pdf

--Bill

[Junebug812]

Thanks for the info. I remember having an eye exam right before tx but didn't realize they do that to get a baseline because tx can cause eye damage. I'll let my doctor know and see if he thinks I should do anything. I only have 6 more weeks to go so I wouldn't want to make any changes this late in the game, especially since I've been UND since week 4. It is worrisome though, for the first time in my life, experiencing blurry vision up close. I'm hoping it's a symptom of just the dry eyes.

Thanks for the feedback and Bill, thanks for the link.

June

[SteveOC]

I almost had to end Tx early due to CWS, retinopathathy and finally  a retinal hemmorhage which all began with symptoms you are describing. I only had Tx for 12 weeks which is the only reason they let me finish and my eyesight issue began with only about a week left. Don't mess with your eyes so get seen ASAP. Everything is about 90% cleared up now 2 months later... Interferon is the culprit here and it is widely known side effect.