For those of you on Plaquenil, where did you go to get your eyes examined? Was it an optometrist or was it an opthamologist? Sorry about my spelling....darn brain invading keets
Thx, Dave (Now in VA.)
Posted by HEATHERKISS (Member # 6789) on :
I went for the first test. They dilated my eyes. I have perfect eye sight. I cancelled the second test.
It is supposedly a rare side affect for plaquenil to hurt the eyes. I don't know why doctors want to send everyone on plaq. to get their eyes checked.
I guess they learned it in med school.
Posted by lymebrat (Member # 3208) on :
Hi,
I went to my regular eye doctor every 3 months. I was on Plaq for about 2 years and never had a problem.
Good luck! ~Lymebrat
Posted by sofy (Member # 5721) on :
I went to an opthamologist but all he did was read the results. The tech in the office did the actual job. The had a number of techs in the office but only one did that particular test.
It didnt matter to me cuz my ins. paid for it. I now have medicare so have been putting it off to find out if they will pay.
If they wont Im going to call around and see if there are any optometrists who do it cheaper
Posted by hurtingramma (Member # 7770) on :
As soon as my LLMD put me on Plaqeunil, he told me to make an appointment with the OPTHOMOLOGIST is six months. I did because he gets very upset if you don't follow his instructions. He believes that this is a teamwork, and I agree.
Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
Heather,
They gave you the wrong test. The damage plaquenil can cause to eyes reduces your peripheral vision. If gone unchecked, it can severely limit your vision range and be unreversable.
The exam you want to ask for is a field of vision test. You are supposed to have it done every 6 months. The longer you are on plaquenil, the greater the chance of the side effect. Because it is gradual, you don't notice the field diminishing.
Doctors recommend getting eyes testing on plaquenil because, although rare, the side effect is easy to find and can cause significant harm if undiscovered.
Posted by Julie-MA (Member # 5110) on :
I have seen a retinal specialist, in part because I have sig. eye disease in my family, so I was especially concerned about any predisposition i might already have to eye damage. I've been on Plaquenil for two years and my eyes are fine.
Julie
Posted by DaveinCt (Member # 5818) on :
Thx everybody....
Really all I was looking for was whether an optometrist could do the testing or did I need to see an opthalmologist.
Thx
Posted by Areneli (Member # 6740) on :
In the past Plaquenil often damaged retina in the past.
Currently they probably purified the drug and it is no longer a problem and damge to retina doesn't happen. Still, better be careful than sorry. Do your eye exams for periferal vision.
Posted by lightfoot (Member # 2536) on :
Hi DaveinCt! (Noiw in VA )
This is a medical issue and an opthamologist is an MD......much different than an optometrist. This monitoring needs to be done by the opthamologist.
Yes, the damage is rare BUT it's the irreversible deal that is the kicker.
I've been on plaquenil for over well over two years...creeping onto three. I've done the screening as recommended and have no signs of problems.
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