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.)
-------------------- Thx, Dave (Now in VA.) Posts: 207 | From Lynchburg, VA. | Registered: Jun 2004
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HEATHERKISS
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6789
posted
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.
-------------------- HEATHER
Posts: 1974 | From ABERDEEN, NJ 07747 | Registered: Jan 2005
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lymebrat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3208
posted
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
Posts: 3154 | From NH , USA | Registered: Oct 2002
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posted
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
Posts: 561 | From connecticut | Registered: May 2004
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posted
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.
-------------------- "Few of us can do great things, but all of us can do small things with great love". Mother Theresa
Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
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.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
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
Posts: 307 | From Byfield, MA | Registered: Jan 2004
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Really all I was looking for was whether an optometrist could do the testing or did I need to see an opthalmologist.
Thx
-------------------- Thx, Dave (Now in VA.) Posts: 207 | From Lynchburg, VA. | Registered: Jun 2004
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Areneli
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Member # 6740
posted
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.
Posts: 1538 | From Planet Earth | Registered: Jan 2005
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lightfoot
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Member # 2536
posted
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.
Good luck!!
Healing smiles....lightfoot
-------------------- Healing Smiles.....lightfoot Posts: 7228 | From CO | Registered: May 2002
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