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What is causing my blurry farsighted vision - Maxidex eye drops OR new eyeglasses?
Last year I noticed that some small grey stains had appeared, symmetrically, on both of my eyes. The ophtalmologist that I went to said that I have corneal dystrophy, that it is nothing to worry about, but that it should be monitored every 6 months to see how it evolves.
Recently I went to see another ophtalmologist, who prescribed Lubristil drops for my tired, sometimes dry, eyes, and Maxidex eye drops (3 drops/ day, for 10 days, then a 20-day break; that would be repeated for 3 months) for my corneal dystrophy, which were meant to stop it from spreading. The doctor could not tell me what specific type of corneal dystrophy it is ("there are hundreds of types"). At the same time, since I also have astigmatism, I was given a new prescription for my glasses (although I thought I was seeing just fine with my old glasses), with the observation that the cylindrical power for my left lens should be changed from -0.50 to -0.75.
The problem is that over the past few days, after 10 days of Maxidex and new glasses, I noticed that my farsight vision is not like it used to be. When I walk on the street, people at 10 metres in front of me are now blurry, street name signs are not clear anymore. I can no longer read movie subtitles without wearing glasses - a couple of weeks ago it was not a problem. Normally I only wear glasses at the computer. I haven't experienced blurry vision before when getting new glasses, and 0.25 is a very small change in a lens, so I thought the problem must be because of the eye drops.
I read that Maxidex can have a series of side effects, such as blurry vision, change in vision and even loss of vision. How long can blurry vision last for though? There have been 4 days since I stopped using these eye drops. Can the change in vision be permanent? I also read, on the Maxidex information leaflet, that patients with corneal dystrophy using Maxidex are susceptible to developing corneal ulcer. My eyes felt quite sensitive during days 9 and 10 of Maxidex treatment and I would prefer to avoid complications.
Concerned, yesterday I went back to the ophtalmologist to report these changes. I was told not to worry, that there's no way Maxidex can cause blurry vision in my eyes or have any other side effects, and that I should continue taking these eye drops next month. Then I was told to put on my glasses and was asked if I could read the small letters on the last line of the eye chart. I could decipher the letters, so I was sent home - without an answer to what is causing my farsight vision to be blurry. Honestly, I am hesitating to continue using these eye drops.
Your specialist opinion would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks,
Adela (31 years old)
PS. Not sure if additional details help, but here is a short history of my eye vision:
03/2010 - First eye examination:
[L] Sph: 0.00; Cyl: -0.50; Axis: 175;
[R] Sph: 0.00; Cyl: -0.75; Axis: 164;
(the optician suggested that wearing glasses was not essential for me, but I opted for a pair to use at the computer because I do a lot of image editing and it is important for me to see how sharp images are on the computer screen)
04/2015 - Second eye examination:
[L] Sph: 0.00; Cyl: -0.50; Axis: 155;
[R] Sph: 0.00; Cyl: -1.00; Axis: 150;
(during the glasses' trial period I thought that with my left eye I was not seeing as sharp as with my right eye, so the optician changed the spherical power of the lens to -0.25; he said that I don't need that, but I was seeing just perfect with it, so that is the lens that I used for the past year)
* first signs of corneal dystrophy appeared around that time
03/2016 - Third eye examination:
[L] Sph: 0.00; Cyl: -0.75; Axis: 150;
[R] Sph: 0.00; Cyl: -1.00; Axis: 155;
(I am currently using glasses with this prescription. I have been using them for 11 days and I feel that, as I type, the letters on the screen are not as sharp as they could be...)
Recently I went to see another ophtalmologist, who prescribed Lubristil drops for my tired, sometimes dry, eyes, and Maxidex eye drops (3 drops/ day, for 10 days, then a 20-day break; that would be repeated for 3 months) for my corneal dystrophy, which were meant to stop it from spreading. The doctor could not tell me what specific type of corneal dystrophy it is ("there are hundreds of types"). At the same time, since I also have astigmatism, I was given a new prescription for my glasses (although I thought I was seeing just fine with my old glasses), with the observation that the cylindrical power for my left lens should be changed from -0.50 to -0.75.
The problem is that over the past few days, after 10 days of Maxidex and new glasses, I noticed that my farsight vision is not like it used to be. When I walk on the street, people at 10 metres in front of me are now blurry, street name signs are not clear anymore. I can no longer read movie subtitles without wearing glasses - a couple of weeks ago it was not a problem. Normally I only wear glasses at the computer. I haven't experienced blurry vision before when getting new glasses, and 0.25 is a very small change in a lens, so I thought the problem must be because of the eye drops.
I read that Maxidex can have a series of side effects, such as blurry vision, change in vision and even loss of vision. How long can blurry vision last for though? There have been 4 days since I stopped using these eye drops. Can the change in vision be permanent? I also read, on the Maxidex information leaflet, that patients with corneal dystrophy using Maxidex are susceptible to developing corneal ulcer. My eyes felt quite sensitive during days 9 and 10 of Maxidex treatment and I would prefer to avoid complications.
Concerned, yesterday I went back to the ophtalmologist to report these changes. I was told not to worry, that there's no way Maxidex can cause blurry vision in my eyes or have any other side effects, and that I should continue taking these eye drops next month. Then I was told to put on my glasses and was asked if I could read the small letters on the last line of the eye chart. I could decipher the letters, so I was sent home - without an answer to what is causing my farsight vision to be blurry. Honestly, I am hesitating to continue using these eye drops.
Your specialist opinion would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks,
Adela (31 years old)
PS. Not sure if additional details help, but here is a short history of my eye vision:
03/2010 - First eye examination:
[L] Sph: 0.00; Cyl: -0.50; Axis: 175;
[R] Sph: 0.00; Cyl: -0.75; Axis: 164;
(the optician suggested that wearing glasses was not essential for me, but I opted for a pair to use at the computer because I do a lot of image editing and it is important for me to see how sharp images are on the computer screen)
04/2015 - Second eye examination:
[L] Sph: 0.00; Cyl: -0.50; Axis: 155;
[R] Sph: 0.00; Cyl: -1.00; Axis: 150;
(during the glasses' trial period I thought that with my left eye I was not seeing as sharp as with my right eye, so the optician changed the spherical power of the lens to -0.25; he said that I don't need that, but I was seeing just perfect with it, so that is the lens that I used for the past year)
* first signs of corneal dystrophy appeared around that time
03/2016 - Third eye examination:
[L] Sph: 0.00; Cyl: -0.75; Axis: 150;
[R] Sph: 0.00; Cyl: -1.00; Axis: 155;
(I am currently using glasses with this prescription. I have been using them for 11 days and I feel that, as I type, the letters on the screen are not as sharp as they could be...)
I would look for a new ophthalmologist a corneal specialist. I'm very leary of what you've said.
1. Most corneal dystrophies are not that difficult to diagnose.
2. Its most unusual to treat an unknown or known corneal dystrophy with extended steroids.
3. Steroids produce tons of side effects, read the label that came with them listing them. the longer you take them the greater the chance of complications. Risks that are very significant with prolonged steroid drops: glaucoma and cataracts.
4. There is very little difference in all 3 pairs of those glasses and many people with those RX do not wear glasses at all. There is so little difference between glasses 2 and 3 that if you can tell a difference its not likely the RX but the frames or the manufacturering differences.
5 Steroid drops can blur the vision in some people.
1. Most corneal dystrophies are not that difficult to diagnose.
2. Its most unusual to treat an unknown or known corneal dystrophy with extended steroids.
3. Steroids produce tons of side effects, read the label that came with them listing them. the longer you take them the greater the chance of complications. Risks that are very significant with prolonged steroid drops: glaucoma and cataracts.
4. There is very little difference in all 3 pairs of those glasses and many people with those RX do not wear glasses at all. There is so little difference between glasses 2 and 3 that if you can tell a difference its not likely the RX but the frames or the manufacturering differences.
5 Steroid drops can blur the vision in some people.
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