Seeing an Opthamologist due to some blurry vision

My GI has scheduled me to see an Opthamologist next week for a retinal exam. I have a bit of blurry vision sometimes but didn't think it was an issue. He wants to check it out to make sure it's nothing.  Is this common with tx? Riba =1000 mg x day & Redipen injection =1 x week.
Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks,E

[NYgirl]

I went to the Opthamologist to get a baseline reading BEFORE treatment started - which is a VERY common thing for the doctor to order.

I don't think that this is a very COMMON side but it is a very possible side unfortunately.

Your doctor sounds optomistic that you are alright.....but just wants to be careful as he SHOULD be.

IFN can do some pretty wild things to us...so it IS better safe than sorry.

[chellski]

i had alot of problems with vision, as i think many have had.  my doctor told me not to get my eyes checked til after tx.  but, i'm sure it can't hurt - he just didn't want to waste a new prescription.....i'm now 6mo post tx, my eyes got much better.  in fact after my eye exam, my prescription hardly changed at all.
good luck to you.
michelle

[Tater-ToT]

I developed vision problems on TX (wound up getting glasses) but I should have waited because my script has already changed since treatment stopped....

I did ask the eye doc about that & he said that yes it can happen (although rare) but it would be an accumulative effect of the meds that causes it... & when he examined me.... he just said that it was my lenses hardening, & didn't have the flexability to focus.... said that all the eye strain & the amount of time I was spending on the computer wasn't helping...

Which made sence to me, cause while on TX, I LIVED On my computer...

My vision improved significantly within weeks after stopping TX... but Now I need to get that script changed & it's been less than a year... I can't hardly even wear them....

It's better to be safe than sorry, I just grip because it was more out of pocket money... & had I of waited I may not be having to do it all over again now...but vision isn't something I wanted to take chances with!

[FlGuy]

It's a good idea to get your various bodily systems checked out not only to determine baselines but to also have docs make any note of changes either a result of hcv or tx.  If you eyes are really blurry, bring some one with you who can read signs.  You don't want to go to an ornithologist instead of an opthamologist.

[PasoPerson]

FLGuy - You really crack me up!

LadyE - I had some vision changes in my left eye during TX, but by 3 months post-TX it was okay again. However, I have developed what I call dry eye.  Waking up in the morning I have lots of them ole "sleepy mans" in my eyes.  I do drops of Tears Naturale Forte and all is well.  Hope all goes well with your visit.

[ejoli]

Ha Ha you are so funny...It seems like all we do is get our "various bodily systems" checked. Really, what's left to check.(and be screwed up)   Hey what is an ornithologist anyway? I'm sure my Doctor will want me to see one next week.

[mycoldfeet]

I had 20/20 before my first 48 wks of tx, by the end of tx I needed reading glasses, eye Doc and gastro said at 51 probably needed them anyway, seems weird but possible i guess.

[tulsatime]

I HAVE BEEN HAVING BLURRED VISION, BUT I THINK IT IS CAUSE I WON'T GET OFF THE COMPUTER!!! I WORE SUNGLASSES THE OTHER DAY SO I COULD FINISH READING ALL THE POSTS. LOL!! LAST TREATMENT I HAD TO LIMIT MYSELF ON THE COMPUTER AND DO THE ARTIFICAL TEARS (OTC) ....TAKE CARE, TALK TO YOU LATER, DEBI

[ejoli]

Hey I DO think I have that one too....The bird****
       You know I was reading the package insert on the Riba and it's the drug of choice for SARS.  I wonder if that covers "Bird Flu" too.

[pigeonca]

We are mostly over 40 in this group, and at some point in their 40s most people develop presbyopia, which is an inability to shift focus from close to far.  
That's when people who never wore glasses develop a need for reading glasses and those of us who already wear glasses need separate pairs for close and far vision, or bifocals.  So changes in prescription may have nothing to do with hcv or tx but are simply the by-product of aging eyes.
pigeon

[Forseegood]

Hope you have a great weekend and that you got some info to help...

Pigeon: seems like youre up and around, fingers crossed for you...glad it wasn't too traumatic, you have a great weekend too, you've earned it...

[Lady E]

Thanks everybody for your responses.  And especially you FlGuy!
At least my vision isn't THAT foggy where I have to worry about going to the wrong dr *LMAO* That was hilarious!
((Hugs to all))
E

[fishdoc]

i went to an optham... you know, because I was supposed to.  he said on interferon they are looking for retinal hemmorhages, and that they were not asymptomatic.  He indicated I would have blurred vision if I experienced that.  He also didn't seem overly concerned about it if I had had it... best of luck..

[returntosender]

Just had my eyes checked last week.  4 months post tx of 48 weeks.  New script for contacts but still cant see worth a dam!.  Seems like my eyes are blurry and cant see up close anymore or far away either.  Before tx I was slightly nearsighted.  I guess I should be thankful for no damage but it would be nice to see again.  At 56 with what appears to be no more virus (fingers crossed), maybe it will clear up over time.

[FlGuy]

Ornithology: is the branch of zoology concerned with the scientific study of birds.  Specializes in ****** problems, I suppose.

[way]

I woke up one morning with a floater. It's like there was a shadow in my vision in my left eye, just below my line of vision. It did go away after about twelve hours.

I told my GI about it and he said to go to an optham asap. I didn't but probably shoulda. I didn't have any further problems. I'm just so sick of running to this or that doctor every few days.
Quite a few people post about their vision changing after begining TX, and even some do have a sensitivity to light.

You are smart for getting it checked, though!