scary vision problem

Sorry for frequent posts but I had blurred vision so bad today I couldn't read, see TV, see much of anything.

I switched from contacs to glasses thinking that would help but that didn't work.

After about 2 hours, most of the blurriness went away.

I'm seeing the local gastro for the first time tomorrow.

Anyone else experience this during TX?   Should I be concerned?  Mention it to the Dr.?  I've never had anything like this before and it's scary as I'll be driving.  Took 2 months to get this appointment so I don't want to miss it but I'm more worried about the vision than anything else.

Is this a known TX SX?

wyntre

[jmjm530]

It could be Cotton Wool spots which is common with treatment and usually resolve by itself once treatment is stopped. That said, definitely tell your doctor, but equally important make an appointment with an eye specialist to make sure what is really going on. Maybe you could have a friend drive you to the doctors.

-- Jim

[wyntre9]

Yes!  That is what it felt like; as if there were a couple of fuzzy cottony swabs in front of my eyes;  I could see a little between the spaces of these cottony swabs.

The only thing I've ever had that was even close to that feeling is when you see the eye Dr. and he puts the drops in to numb the eyes for the glaucoma test and then you can't see for a couple of hours after.  But I didn't go to an eye Dr. today.  :(

I'm gonna go google that now.  It was terrifying and would be even more so if it happened on the highway.

wyn

[wyntre9]

I just read  a couple of articles about hep c and vision problems and one of the predictors seems to be people with detached retina.

I don't have that, yet, but I know I have to be careful;  I have corneal abrasions from an injury inflicted by a crazed third grader and the specialist who examined me said I'm borderline for detached retina.

Now I am worried and paranoid.

How many of my recent SX are a result of the meds and have nothing to do with killing the virus?

i mean, what if I'm getting all these extra SX from extended TX and  the meds are causing more damage than they're solving?

I know this has been debated often of Forum but TTTT  I never paid all that much attention coz somehow the SX seemed awful but manageable, at least in my case.

Not sure i can say that at week 54.

Comments?

wyntre

[wyntre9]

Can you go BLIND from TX?

wyn

[annekynch]

i'm in week 12 and just a few days ago had a wierd experience with flashing sensation in
my left eye.  it seemed to react to light.  no light no problem.  it went away after a couple
of hours and hasn't returned.

[wyntre9]

Thanks for posting your experience, anne.

Another friend just emailed me and said they had a couple of similar episodes but they resolved after finishing TX.

I'm especially concerned coz I have to drive on some slick roads tomorrow for the new gastro appointment and if what happened today were to happen while I'm behind the wheel . . . well, i just don't feel safe.  if i didn't have to drive, I wouldn't be so worried.

My episode was in both eyes;  I couldn't even see to type.

wyn

[pitter]

hi..I just wanted to share my experience with you...I get these episodes now and then...where I get a weird vision thing. It is like a lightning bolt shaped blurry spot. It starts out small and gets bigger and bigger and moves off to the side of my vision field gradually. It takes about a half an hour to be gone. well the secnd time it happened , I flew to my Opthamologist...he told me that it is caused by Migraine headaches , without the headache...and I believe he was right. I used to get real migraines...I rarely get them now at all, but do get these episodes., once or twice a year. It goes away on it's own.. I am not on TX. This has happened to me for at least 9 yrs ,now. It just goes away on it's own. all the best.
Pitter.

[wyntre9]

Thanks for sharing, but i have never had migraines.  Sinus headaches, yes, but I'm on meds for that as well as severe allergies.

This was just a bizarre experience.  One moment I was sitting at the pc, reading, typing, the next minute all the letters blurred together and i couldn't make out a single word.  I went to the sofa and flicked on the TV but I couldn't see that, either.  It happened within seconds and lasted a couple of hours.  I really am scared about vision problems coz my eyes aren't great to begin with.

I'm on week 54 of the 72 week TX and this is the first time I've experienced any vision problems while on the meds.   I remember reading, last December, before starting TX, that eye issues can be a factor in a small percentage of people who are treating.

I am just so glad it went away.  I will definitely bring it to the attention of the new gastro tomorrow and see about getting a referral to a local opthamologist.

Thanks pitter,

wyn

[dperry10]

Just had my eyes checked yesterday, and my distance and reading are worse.  I had my eyes checked the week before starting treatment.  During treatment it seemed the riba caused alot of phlem and like it was bubbling up from my stomach, but it seemed my eyes were secreting alot more than they did before treatment, sometimes felt like I had pieces of something in my eye , and they seemed to be crusty sometimes in the morning around my eyes from the secretion.  Now that I am not on Riba,   It seems to be going away.. Don't feel like I have to spit all the time.   and my cough is clearing up..  And not finding the in my eyes in the mornings.  Hope its nothing.. and that you feel better..

[GrandmaA]

I had vision problems on tx. Mainly couldn't judge distances. I was in 2 minor auto accidents and had to switch insurance companies because the rates went through the ceiling. The first time I was distracted and didn't yield the right of way.

[cruelworld]

about once every three months i get funny dancing triangular shapes in my right side vision. it lasts about  a half hour. pretty much a hallucination. no headache involved.
i figured it is par for the course. sounds like others have something similar too.
as far as blurriness goes, everyone complains about that, and mine comes and goes.
i have to use anywhere from 1.25 to 2.00 reading glasses depending on the day.
this can also be affected by higher blood pressure which is common on treatment.
ive had to increase my blood pressure meds since on treatment. make sure and check this.
it never gets my long distance vision though. i have been to the eye doc once sofar and all  was ok and im soon to go again to be safe.
wyn, ill bet you are ok so dont freak out. blotchy vision is worse than blurry. do check it out first thing monday , go see a real eye doc, not just a glasses person. we have all seen the rare but real stories of total vision loss.

[annekynch]

you said it best.  dancing triangles but mine were on the left side.  wierd.

[wyntre9]

Yes, I will take care of getting an opthamologist appointment tomorrow.  it's too important to let it slide.

I was told, 4 years ago, that I had to keep up with eye exams because of the strong possibility of retinal detachment but what with the move, the new dr., the sx, just surviving, it's hard to stay on top of everything.

Sorry about the panicked vibe but I really was shocked.

Whether or not it turns out to be nothing i have to check it out and i will.

Thanks guys,

wyn

[Lady Lauri]

  I'm with you on the fear....and it's scary when they vision does the funny things. I'd said I went to opthamologist before tx, getting re-checks thru out.
I can not tolerate 'light' well at all. The sun....no way. Can't wear contacts since 3-4 weeks tx and if i do , it hurts! With the problems, may be a good idea not to wear them much for awhile, along with that opthamologist app.

dperry, have that Riba cough and my Dr. is having me do another 'pulminary screening', testing, xray, etc. He had it all done before tx also. Have you done that at all thru tx?

                                                                                 LL

[nygirl7]

Did you get the baseline reading at the opthamologist before you started treatment?  My doc wouldn't let me start until I did and it sure make sense why when you see people going through things like this.

I've always had horrible vision and without my contacts I'd be pretty much housebound. I couldn't imagine if they got WORSE.

I'm going to say a special prayer for you girl.......you're at that tough part of the 72 weeks when it just seems like you can't make it because it's been going on for so long - I know you will but I just wish there was some way around the week 50 blues.  by the time you get in the 60s you'll perk up and feel better because it's really almost over and you know it!

[wyntre9]

Just got back from the local gastro.  he looks exactly like Einstein!

he gave me a referral to a local opthamologist and is also sending me for an eye x-ray.

The vision problem hasn't come back since yesterday.  I have baseling eye exams coz I've had corneal abrasions and possible retinal detachment over the past 5 years so I know I was in ok shape when I started TX.

I am definitely making an appointment to see the opth tomorrow.

Thanks NYG, for saying it gets better after week 60.  Yup, I definitely have the 54 week blues.

wyn

[Jeff88]

I have vision problems too, which started at about 30 wks into tx.
Mostly blurred vision, frequently cannot read the computer screen or movie captions.
The problem may persist, but then there is a couple of hours when I can see more or less normal which gives me hope that it is sx of tx and may go away after tx stopped.

The eye doc told me to use artificial tears which you can buy OTC. They seem to help somewhat, but you need to use them 3-5 times per day.

Adding moisture into eyes makes sense, as we know that riba causes dehydration and we need to drink a lot of water, seems that eyes need water too.

Jeff.

[wyntre9]

You mean you've had this experience more than once?  Like every day?

Does it get so bad you don't feel safe driving?

I'm at week 54 and that was the first and hopefully the last time that happens.  

How in the world can we be expected to stay on meds if it's causing such severe eye problems?  I tell you,  I just don't think I'm willing to risk that.  If the opthamologist and the ultrasound of the carotids shows anything suspicious, I don't know what I'm gonna do.

Is your eye Dr. telling you that the blurry vision is all TX - induced?

Thanks for sharing,

wyntre

ps - I have artificial tears and use them frequently.  This episode was entirely different.  Usually, if the contacs are bothering me, the glasses correct the problem.  Not this time.

[working dog]

pitter did have something to say with the migraines...thats what i was told ...i have had this for 40 years..as a matter of fact i walked out of high school in 10th grade and never went back when pages were blocked and i couldn't read them..they thought i was on drugs and that was that...in the last couple years when my hep was real bad i sometimes could only see a narrow spot.(sometimes that would last for hours).i would really have to look to see if something was out in front of me...and i couldn't drive at times...since i don't drink and my diet is better the vision stuff isn't that bad...i used to find when i over sleeped it can be worse...so i think and have been told it was migraines that you just don't feel...im not on tx yet..........good luck...billy..

[Jeff88]

"You mean you've had this experience more than once?  Like every day?
Does it get so bad you don't feel safe driving?"

Yes, I have blurred vision quite frequently, it may get better for an hour or so, but then it returns. It indeed may be so bad that I avoid driving or doing computer work/watch TV, read medhelp:).
If your problem happened just one time, evidently it is different from what mine.


"How in the world can we be expected to stay on meds if it's causing such severe eye problems?  .... Is your eye Dr. telling you that the blurry vision is all TX - induced?"  

When I first complained to my liver doc, he was surprised and said that eye problems are not common to all who are on tx.
So, check with ophtamoligist, make sure that there are no permanent changes in your retina, etc. My eye Dr is a well-known glaukoma specialist, but he knows little about how IFN and riba may affect eyes. I doubt that there are definite studies on this. Tx is risky in many respects, immune system, thyroid, but do we have a choice?

You did 54 wks, just a little bit more and hopefully you will get to SVR. Good luck to you!

[wyntre9]

Working dog,

I wasn't implying pitter didn't have something important to say!  I just have never had migraine issues.  Severe sinus, allergy headaches, yes.  Her response probably is the answer for others with this SX.

Jeff,

Here's a short discussion of tx related eye problems.

Ironically, I found it when I googled the topic and it's info Jim posted on medhelp a couple of years ago.

Interferon-associated retinopathy:

IInterferon may cause retinal complications as well--and more often than other systemic medication (e.g., hydroxychloroquine or phenothiazines). It may cause vision loss. Some reports state up to 57% of patients taking interferon experience retinopathy (first reported in US in 1993). The two most common signs with interferon-related retinopathy are cotton wool spots and retinal hemorrhages. They are usually found at the posterior pole around the optic nerve head. Unilateral or bilateral. They typically occur within 1 to 3 months of treatment which makes it important to see patient for a baseline exam at the beginning of interferon treatment. Cotton wool spots and retinal hemorrhages normally spontaneously resolve during or after treatment. Supposedly there is no difference in incidence with alpha or beta, but there are many more reports with alpha. Rarer eye findings

    * Impaired vision
    * Retinal artery/vein occlusions
    * Bilateral oculomotor nerve paralysis
    * Mydriasis
* Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy
    * Microaneurysms
    * Subconjunctival hemorrhages
    * Vascular tortuosity and congestion
* Early onset of cataracts
    * Vitreous hemorrhage
    * CME
    * Photophobia

wyn

ps - WD, still can't find that conure pic.

[pitter]

I know no offense was meant...ya know it could a been, and could be alot of different things, as we are all different. Vision problems are scary.! For me it was like if I looked directly at something, I couldn't see it..just like heat waves in a little area, that got bigger and bigger..Then it eventually fizzled out...The first time it happened I was cutting someones hair...and I kept blinking and blinking trying to see...and I literally could not see to finish the cut!!!! I was afraid I'd cut my finger off!!! So I had to have someone else finish it...wrkngdg, I know what you mean..when you can't see, you can't read!!!     wyn , best wishes!
thanks Pitter

[wyntre9]

That's interesting you had the vision problems while cutting hair.

Ironically, last time I got my hair cut and colored, about a month ago, i felt like I was going to pass out.  I told the hairdresser and she confessed she sometimes felt the same way!  I think it's the chemicals you guys have to work with and, in this case, lack of ventilation in the salon.

With the allergies I've never been able to tolerate salons very well but it's been worse since on TX.  I did not, however, experience a vision problem, as i did yesterday, at home, sitting in front of the pc.

wyn

[pitter]

yes , it only happened at the salon once I think...I still have it happen...few and far between tho...Thank God..

[wyntre9]

Allergies, especially chemical and environmental allergies can cause vision problems, too.

I have been on immunotherapy for years so I know that wasn't the cause of my vision problem.

Actually, allergies have been better since I'm on TX.  I now wonder how much of the past 2 decades of allergy/sinus problems could have been hep-c related.

wyn

[wyntre9]

I go for an ultrasound of the carotids or, as I pronounced it, carrot dids, tomorrow and will see an opthamologist on Thursday.

I saw the new (local) gastro yesterday.  He was very concerned about the short term vision loss, said it can be an issue on TX and wants to make sure nothing else is going on.

3 new doctors in one week.  whew!

Good news is the blurriness hasn't returned.

Thanks everyone,


wyn

[ladywhy]

I have not been on forum much lately...but just read this thread. That must have been pretty scary. I'm glad to hear that the blurriness in your vision was temporary.
Sincerely,
y

This has been such a trip...never know what the next day will bring.

[wyntre9]

How are YOU feeling?  Is someone checking up on you every couple of days?  You don't want to have a repeat of that nasty episode last week so please be careful!

I'm glad the new gastro was on top of the vision SX as I'd FORGOTTEN how
serious it can be for me.  My other opthamologist had said that coz of corneal abrasions and retinoschesis there was a possibility blurriness could be a precurrsor to blindness and i should immediately be seen by a Dr!

My files are being faxed to his office today so after the carotid US I'll see the opthamologist tomorrow.

Since the problem seems to have resolved I tend to not worry so much but it is my eyesight and the meds CAN aggravate an underlying condition and the gastro and the opthamologist are insisting I get it checked out.

Thanks for chiming in.

Tell us about your situation,

wyntre

[pitter]

good luck and hope all turns out well for you.
pitter

[pitter]

I forgot to say, I have all the sinus stuff and allergies too, esp the headaches..have had it for years too like you.
best wishes.

[wyntre9]

Thanks pitter.

Carotid ultrasound showed normal blood flow to the brain.  (I find THAT hard to believe!  LOL)

Tomorrow is opthmologist appointment.  Of course now, since the blurriness hasn't recurred, I feel like an IDIOT for going through all these tests but both Dr.'s were worried so I guess i should be, too.

In any case, i needed an updated opthamologic exam.  Haven't had one in 2 years.  

wyn