I see in a few places people can experience blurry vision and pink eye like symptoms - is this common for people with Lyme, and is it constant, or intermittent?
I just got diagnosed with Lyme this past week, and I have a scheduled PRK (laser) on my eyes in 10 days - I am considering cancelling it now - Any thoughts / Suggestions -
Posted by 'Kete-tracker (Member # 17189) on :
Blurry vision... sometimes in just 1 eye, double vision (ditto), "floaters", offset vision: 1 eye droops & sees below & to the right or left of the other when relaxed, differences in perceived color temperature between eyes (surroundings appear more blueish in 1 eye, yellow-er in the other)... These can all be related to Lyme.
It can even cause blindness (almost always temporarily) by affecting the optic nerve bundle.
Symptoms lessen & often clear fully with proper treatment, but things like drooping eye may continue, as can the condition related to it- hypothyroidism.
I would hold off & discuss this with your LLMD if I were you. PKR can certainly help with things like middle-age myopia, but you want to measure a "stable" offset condition to know how much (laser) correction to do "where".
Posted by Tammy N. (Member # 26835) on :
I would hold off on the laser. Not only to see if it clears on its own (which would be best case scenario), but also your body may not be at its peak healing with the Lyme. I would deal with the Lyme first. Whatever you decide, good luck!
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
Lasik therapy to correct vision will trigger MORE inflammation to heal the area post treatment.
It can and often does lead to dry eyes.
This might not be a good idea.
My sis (with lyme) developed uveitis and almost lost her eyesight. At one point all she could see was the big "E" on an eyechart.
She HAD to resort to steroid shots (x2) directly into her eye to stop the very damaging inflammation.
It worked.
Lyme triggers a LOT of inflammation and logically our eyes can take a "hit".
Personally, I'd cancel the Lasik surgery for now as the rebound inflammation maybe much worse when lyme is active.
Posted by Starfall1969 (Member # 17353) on :
I have all sorts of vision issues that I figure must be related to Lyme, because the eye doctors sure can't find anything wrong.
I've had blurry vision, general problems focusing, floaters, flashes, dry eyes, tearing, burning, loss of vision in one eye and complete loss of color vision in one eye for 1/2 hour or so.
Lyme doc didn't know what to do about it wither, so I have an appt with a neiro-opthamologist this week. Hoping he can find something...
Posted by Mike G (Member # 27543) on :
Wow Thanks everyone for the info -
Marnie - you convinced me, Im going to cancel tom. Thats quite a story -
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Lyme can also cause one pupil to be dilated and the other normal. Freaks out the eye doctors and all doctors. My next door neighbor has this, and I saw it myself and pictures he took.
It also caused me terrible dry eye. It went away with good lyme treatment. My 2 years of not so good lyme treatment didn't make it go away.
I also got gaps in my visual field on one occasion. Lasted quite a few hours.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Hi - we're all different, but I've been able to stop all Lyme eye symptoms by drinking mangosteen juice, an anti-inflammatory antioxidant. My symptoms stopped within 24 hours of starting the juice!
There are lots of brands in stores and online. I drink the Ultra one with 70 minerals added. Vitacost sells it most cheaply. If you try it, drink water also, as it can be powerful.
Posted by Mike G (Member # 27543) on :
TF - Interesting, Since I am not all that symptomatic (I am tired, but pretty much fully functional, I can make myself go to the gym) I am hoping with proper treatment I can clear all of this up...
Chronic pain in my face put me on the rat race to the doctors - but when I started reading this board and researching, things like bad short term memory, problems with vision, and others that I never even considered symptoms are all clicking in - I'm a bit scared cause of the neurological effects...
Glad I found this board - thanks everyone
Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
Star, Is that the eye doc from Linda's recommendation? If so, let me know how it goes, please. I'm considering making an appt. with him too. Hens
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
Mike,
There is a really good LLMD opthamologist in Westchester. PM me, if you'd like the info. She is extremely thorough and will communicate with your LLMD, if necessary. She really knows the effects of Lyme on the eyes, contrary to most opthamologists.
Rumigirl
Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
Yes, there is one in the Lancaster, PA area too if you want that info. Heard he's great.