Interferon side,,,eyes

[honey1616]

I have noticed since week 35 that my eyes aren't as clear.  Always used reading glasses only before tx but now seems like I'm looking through a haze and everything is kinda blurry and its getting harder to see things clearly.  Has anyone else experienced this and did it get better after you stopped your tx?

[DH Bill]

Yes, it is common and yes it does get better after tx but a check up may be in order. Galen did have problems in this area.

35 weeks! seems like an eternity but your almost there.

[Galen]

I agree. Any changes in your vision should be reported to your doc immediately.  Most likely there will be no problem but it could be serious.  It is possible to have retinal bleeding from tx.  It gave me cataracts in both eyes.

[layla]

I had blurry vision often on tx. I am off tx 3 months now and I still get it but now it's only for a day at most and very slight. I think after this month it will be gone. I did need an eye scrip change but I think that is only due to age. Yuck! I did see my eye doc a few times while on tx for problems. They all worked out but better safe than sorry. LL

[fsplink]

Yes, I can't even read my books anymore. On top of being so fuzzy, it gives me a killer headache. Looks like a trip to the
optomologist is in order.

[TnHepGuy_]

Here's a small study pointing to the potential for much larger eye concerns via tx than previously reported.

<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15316341">Serious ophthalmic pathology compromising vision in HCV/HIV co-infected patients treated with peginterferon alpha-2b and ribavirin</a>


TnHepGuy


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15316341

[BarnGoddess]

I did the peg alpha 2b (not Pegasys) and still have eye troubles, 1 yr after stopping meds. Had great vision, no glasses etc before doing tx.
Now I can't read without glasses, very sensitive to sunlight, small cataracts and right eye is dry 80% of time.
I did 27 of 48 weeks. relapsed 30 days after stopping meds. Had cleared at 12 weeks.  1a
Chosing to not re-tx at this time.

[BarnGoddess]

I had to stop TX due to immune system crash, infections, heart palipataions.. you name it.  Most of all a really crappy Doc.

[honey1616]

Hey,,,Thanks everyone and yes,,,sounds like something I definitely need to watch closely.  I really didn't want to add another appt. before finishing up but if gets worse,,,I will go.

DHBill,,,Glad to hear everything is slowly getting back to normal for you and wonderful news about you landing another job!

[DebbieDo]

About 4 months into tx my eyes started to change. One morning i noticed this huge floater in my left eye. I have a few little ones that dont really bother me, but, this one is awful. I immediately went to the eye doctor for my regular checkup and he didnt find anything else wrong other than the annoying floater which he said may or may not go away.......but, i would get use to it.........I got new glasses and they seemed to be ok for about a month and then i noticed blurry vision again.....
GI said this may clear up after tx.  The floater is so annoying.....Both eyes get very dry since being on tx......I will do 43/48 Monday......I'm almost through...

[raheem]

I finished up tx about 6 months ago.  48 weeks.  I also experienced visual disturbances during tx.  My eyes were quite sensitive to light. My close up vision was getting worse.  I had only worn reading glasses (1.25 magnification) here and there for the past 5 years. I found I was wearing them all the time even to eat!  Anyway, after tx, the light-sensitivity went right away.  My close up vision has improved significantly but I still wear reading glasses far more frequently than I did before tx.  My distance vision remains very good.  But I have had some sties since tx ended.

[Amerabrit]

I have the vision problems, too.  According to my Dr. though my eye sight is normal for a woman my age (49) but I swear it's gotten so much worse since starting tx.

[MajNeni]

The dry eye thing is very annoying, and most heating systems aggravate it.  Make suree the air in your home is not too dry; use a humidifyer if you need to, in the winter, to make things more comfortable; it may also help with the dry skin and cracking furniture.  Also, try artificial tears; try the regular brands first, but if they irritate you, try the preservative free kind.  (Tears Free is in reclosable vials, good for about a day each)

[MajNeni]

The dry eye thing is very annoying, and most heating systems aggravate it.  Make suree the air in your home is not too dry; use a humidifyer if you need to, in the winter, to make things more comfortable; it may also help with the dry skin and cracking furniture.  Also, try artificial tears; try the regular brands first, but if they irritate you, try the preservative free kind.  (Tears Free is in reclosable vials, good for about a day each)

[honey1616]

Thats It!!!  I bet after reading your post,,,,that is my problem and makes sense.  Lately,,,everything has dried out really bad for me,,,skin,,Nose and throat all dried out,,,I bet it is effecting my eyes also because this has all been going on past 2 weeks,,,all the dryness I mean!  Soooo,,,I'm setting up humidfier and trying the eye drops... ((((hugs))))  I never even thought of that...

[MajNeni]

I hope the humidifying helps.  Now just be sure to follow the instructions on the humidifier so you don't get molds; they are BAD.  
More along the same line:  use a moisturizing soap (Dove, etc.) or bath gel.  Aveeno skin relief was nice.  Don't shower in too-hot water.  When you get out, just pat your skin, and (if it's at all tending to dry) immediately smear a good moisturizing lotion on, all over.
We used to laugh about how one of the side effects was not being able to get out of the bathroom because we couldn't turn the doorknob... until the lotion sank in.
Good luck, Honey, you're getting close to the finish.  The hug felt great.  Look out, those last 12-15 weeks are very mental.
Maj Neni

[AK - Hepper]

I had the dry eyes really bad, especially at night. Sometimes I could barely get my eyes open in the morning.
  I found some moisturizing goo I used right before I went to sleep, that helped some. Talk about blurry vision, though. You didn't want to use too much or you'd still be all blurry the next morning! I also used the preservative free moisturizing drops several times a day.  
  Humidifier is good, too, especially in the winter. It's the only thing I've found that keeps my fingers from cracking open. That and vaseline right after a shower.

[AK - Hepper]

Maj Neni made a double post, y'all.  :-)

[jonihs]

Did you try baby oil after your shower? It's a little easier to apply than vaseline.  Hope you are doing well!! Joni

[AK - Hepper]

I never tried baby oil, once I saw the Vaseline worked I stuck with it. You don't want to wipe the floor with the same towel you dried off with, though.

[MajNeni]

Hey, Timbo,
you're pretty sharp!  
Like I'm not.
Like I'm not.  
Ooops, I double typed that.  :}
Be good, and if you can't be good, have fun...
Maj Neni

[jonihs]

I can picture it. Oh myyyyy.  LOL. Joni

[honey1616]

haha You guys are funny!!  And AK,,,,are you serious about smearing vaseline on you because I'm thinking that must be a big gooey mess!! LOL

[cuteus]

try to order some Ureacin from your pharmacy Or U-lactin.  Urea is the best emollient/moisturizer there is. It stops scaling and itching.

[AK - Hepper]

Serious as a heart attack! Drastic times call for drastic measures. It's not that bad really, you don't have to use a lot, and it really works great. It even cleared up itchy eczema patches on my arms by keeping them moist.