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Eyesight & Flares

A myRAteam Member asked a question 💭
St Louis, MO

I'm noticing that my eyesight is blurry when I'm flaring and fine when I'm not in a flare. Anyone else notice anything similar?

May 15, 2016
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A myRAteam Member

Hi @A myRAteam Member. RA can affect organs as well as joints so our eyes unfortunately fall under the autoimmune umbrella. It makes sense that when you're having a flare it can cause inflammation of your eyes & in turn affect your vision. I notice blurred vision when I'm fatigued but also during periods of high disease activity. If you don't see an opthamologist, I would recommend seeing one as a yearly thing. My eye doc is knowledgeable about how diseases like RA affect the eye so he's been amazing when I've had eye issues. Its also important to have the glaucoma test because it detects the pressure in your eye. You should at least consider a base line exam so you can determine in the futue if your vision issues are from the natural aging process or from disease related issues. Good luck!

May 29, 2016
A myRAteam Member

I believe that is pretty normal. especially if it's a real bad flare. Have you ever had a migraine? I have only had a few, but my eyes go extremely blurry and distortion sets in. But, if it bothers you a lot, I wouldn't hesitiate to talk to your rheumy about it. Start your list of questions, it always helps me to write things down as I either go thru things or think of things for the 3 months between visits.

June 5, 2016
A myRAteam Member

yes! I brought it to my eye MD attention and he said I had dry eyes that were also inflamed!! Started on Restasis and steroid eye drops. Not uncommon to have dry eyes with RA. Dry mouth as well. But the dryness can cause blurred vision off and on. A good gel eye drop helps too over the counter

June 2, 2016
A myRAteam Member

Get checked for M.S-- I have had friends with this dual dx and that is one of the symptoms.

May 28, 2016
A myRAteam Member

Yes, I have the same issue. Im on plaquenil and prednisone. I go to the ophthalmologist every 6 months to have my eyes checked.

May 17, 2016

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