What about Eyes?

[theHopefulone]

Hi.  I'm going to start treatment in a month or so.  I'm a 1a, stage 1-2, 1.2m Viral load.  My doctor told me to get a check from an Optomologist for my eyes.  Is that common?  Anyone had any problems with eyes?  Thanks.  This place is so very informative!

[Galen]

Great idea about the pre-tx eye exam.  It is not common, but interferon can cause retinal bleeding and, in my case, it caused cataracts in both eyes.  I was having loads of trouble with my eyes until about 4 months post-tx when things seemed to settle down.  Went to the Opthamalogist last week and the cataracts are stage one and not causing too much trouble for now.  Probably won't have to do anything about them for a few years now.

[layla]

I had a initail check by my opthamologist before tx. I did have a few problems on tx and went to have things checked/monitored. My opthamologist was very good and understanding. So far all has turned out well. Blurry vision was common and I had a little blood in my eye one morning when I rubbed it. It was just from a riba rash blister I did get a little infected but some drops cleared it up. My eye doc was great. If you have any problems call your eye doc. Good luck to you. LL

[Amerabrit]

I agree, your Dr is right on the money. Good luck with tx:).

[olittle1]

tnhepguy is right. I had leaking blood vessels in the back of my left eye due to the interferon and had to have them lasered 6 months after treatment. It is not a common problem so I wouldn't worry about it.  I didn't clear from treatment and my opthomologist recommended I do the same thing (get a baseline before I start tx again.) Be sure it's an opthomologist and not an optometrist. I did see my Optometrist throughout tx he didn't catch it.

[raheem]

I am 8 weeks post tx and I had some close up blurry vision problems.  It still seems to be there, however I am 50 and perhaps my eyes were due to worsen a bit anyway.  It's rather minor really.  I went from needing 1.25 magnification reading glasses every now and then to needing them every time I read. The glare of sunlight and lights in general were also bothersome...but it's fine now. Some folks can have retinal bleeding so you really need to have a baseline exam before you start.  My ophthamologist was a dolt.

[MajNeni]

Ditto to having pre-tx eye check with your opthalmologist (medical doctor specializing in the eye), and check out any major changes in vision during tx.  Cotton wool spots are fairly common; rare changes can occur; damage to the macula (bleeding, separation, burst capillaries); so don't let things go.  Better safe than sorry.
I had lots of blurry vision, trouble with bright lights, trouble reading (print), and dry eyes during tx.  That's all a lot better.  Artificial tears helped me a lot; I used preservative free ones because of allergies to preservatives.
I just read a short article (Newsweek, March 25, 2002, p.61) about "computer vision syndrome" in "keyboard children".  It was related to children being at computer terminals for long periods; 1 child in four developed symptoms including blurry vision and dry eyes.  Recommendation was to position the monitor at least 18" away, and in a position where you will be looking down.  Speaking as one who spent many hours here during tx, I know I had those symptoms, but the reading saved my sanity.  My eyes are better now that I'm more active, less time on the 'puter.  
Maj Neni

[TnHepGuy_]

Your doc has you doing the right thing. Getting a baseline eye exam before starting tx should always be the norm - just in case there are any changes that might occur during the treatment itself, they can then measure and compare to the 'before'. There is a relatively small percentage of people on tx who devleope eye concerns. They can then be evaluated by the opthomologist as to whether or not to continue.


TnHepGuy