Vision Problems

[surf_2000]

Has anyone experienced problems with their vision getting worse during tx?  I’m currently in week 18 of 48 weeks, and within the last two weeks my distance and reading vision has gotten worse.  It's a subtle change like when you start needing reading glasses in your 40s.

Surf

[OZ]

Hi
Yes, changes in vision like you are describing are quite common.  Most people have their eyes monitored closely while on treatment as some more serious side effects related to eye health can occur as well.  It was recommended to me that I wait until about 6 months post treatment to get a change in eye glasses.  I couldn't wait that long as it was difficult to read, I gave in about a month after treatment.  So I would say it is to be expected.
However:
If you develop a sudden change in vision, flashing lights, or pain, etc., be sure to call your doctor immediately.  These serious problems are not common
but can occur.

I copied this from the product info under adverse reactions:

"Decrease or loss of vision, retinopathy including macular edema, retinal artery or vein thrombosis, retinal hemorrhages and cotton wool spots, optic neuritis, and papilledema may be induced or aggravated by treatment with peginterferon alfa-2b or other alpha interferons. All patients should receive an eye examination at baseline. Patients with preexisting ophthalmologic disorders (eg, diabetic or hypertensive retinopathy) should receive periodic ophthalmologic exams during interferon alpha treatment. Any patient who develops ocular symptoms should receive a prompt and complete eye examination. Peginterferon alfa-2b treatment should be discontinued in patients who develop new or worsening ophthalmologic disorders."

[Poppsie]

Hi Surf,

my eyesight changed a lot since the tx! It started happening during the tx, I don't remember when, but my distance and reading both got worse. Actually, it's the transition from reading something, and then looking up to see something in the distance that's so bad now.

Will the eyes get better again over time, or is this here to stay post tx? It might have gotten slightly better since the tx, but I still have a long way to go to be back to normal. ( I'm almost 6 months past tx now ).

Good luck with the rest of your tx.

Poppsie  

[Penney]

Yep, my vision changed and my eyes bothered me a lot.  Could not wear contacts....

It does get better though after treatment.....as it's been said a lot on this board.......THERE IS LIFE AFTER TREATMENT!  

Hugs,
Penney

[surf_2000]

Thanks for the input, I thought it was the tx but wanted to make sure.  

Thanks, Surf

[Diane]

Has anyone experienced problems with their vision getting worse during tx?  I’m currently in week 18 of 48 weeks, and within the last two weeks my distance and reading vision has gotten worse.  It's a subtle change like when you start needing reading glasses in your 40s.

Surf

2years ago the vision problems I had were eye pain. it felt as though my eyeballs were going to pop.

[Diane]

Hi Surf
2years ago the vision problems I had were eye pain. it felt as though my eyeballs were going to pop.

[JustBlue]

Diane,
My eyes are feeling similar now in week 23 of 48.
It feels like the eyeballs are sore on the tops and to the back of the eyeballs.  The eyes hurt more when I move them left, right, up, or down. The sockets feel very dry also.
I have an appt on the 29th with an optholmalgist as I never got my eyes checked at all before treatment.
I don't want to make the mistake of blaming everything on the virus.
Just Blue

[Dude]

Hi Surf, are you the same person as "Surfergirl"? If so, hey! Long time.

Yes, my eyes have given me a bunch of problems both during and after treatment(s). During, they ached and were overly dry, and I saw spots now and then. After, they got to where I had to get a new prescription for my specs. I actually got the VA to issue me a new set of glasses about 8 months ago, but they were not right... made my eyes hurt more while wearing them. So they sat on the shelf for all these months.

But recently, still using my old glasses, my vision was just too strained, so I tried on the new one's and for some reason now they seem better. So I finally got to use the new presription glasses, months after they were issued. This tells me that my vision has finally impaired to the level of the new prescription. So, yes, my vision has given me troubles during all this treatment business, and after.

Hope you're doing well.

God bless.

[Mongo]

Bump



I've been having a lot of vision issues since ending treatment.  I thought I'd bump this in case any else is noticing any vision problems.


Respectfully,


Kerry

[Betty W.]

Kerry, I know that tx must effect the eyes in some way and in some people, My doctor sent me to an opthamologist for a good baseline before she started me on tx. In fact , Dr Andy is the one that really talked me out of txing.

Just thought you would like my 2cents worth,,,,,That you probably already knew !

Anyway I still love you, Betty

[MissyMouse]

Yeppers Kerry, Betty is right on.  Tx can cause vision problems in some cases.  My GI also made me have a thorough baseline eye exam before I started tx.  Might be time for ya to go get a vision check,  some of these problems can be serious if not caught from what I've heard.

Mouse

[DougV]

FWIW (and man this is an old thread, somebody was more then bored)....

I, during round two, saw a cornea specialist every month before, during, and afterwards.  Had my eyes dilated and retina checked before during and after tx.  There was no appreciable difference in my eyes at any time.  Started seeing him right after round one.  (Oh yeah, this was related to RK surgery I had 20 years ago and had nothing to do with hep, although the doc was curious 'cause his brother is a two time tx loser, also been to Shands, and has cirrhosis just like your's truely.)

Doug

[Pancho and Lefty]

Kerry, I replied to the other thread. Get yourself a thorough eye exam.

take care,

Max

[emkins1]

JustBlue described the same eye difficulty I had the second time I treated.  It hurt to move my eyeballs around in their sockets, and they were really dry and red.  Eventually I had double vision when I tried to move them to the side, and they bugged out a little.  In fact, at night I couldn't close the right one all the way.  I was having abnormally low thyroid levels at the time, too, but even after that was corrected with Synthroid, the eyeball thing continued for about year post treatment.  Real fun.

Em