December 5
One of our members is wondering if any of you also experience blurred vision during a flare up of symptoms. Have you or do you get this too?
Thanks in advance for helping her out ? (((pain-free internet hugs)))
What our members have said so far:
Karen – I do!!!!
Peggy – Yes!!! My optometrist thinks I am crazy.
Wendy – My eye sight has deteriorated badly since diagnoses, I have dizzy spells and blurred vision so my answer is yes I do (((hugs))))) x
Dee – Yes I do x
Gill – Yes, I have. It ended up with my RA effecting my sight so hopefully she is getting regular eye checks xx
Hayley – Yes I do! I’m 11 years in and it started happening about 4 years ago. Only way to help is to rest and not move. Not helpful when you have young children as I do
Amy – My vision feels like it changes from hour to hour, so yes I bet it has something to do with inflammation. Ear ringing too…
Wanda – I do and its usually within 36 hours of my weekly mtx…memory goes about that time too
Carol – I do, my Optometrist thinks I am nuts too. But I seriously think RA makes my vision extremely blurry and it also doubles up.
Rhonda – Yes … I do!
Elizabeth – I do, but I have been diagnosed with sjogrens Secondary to my rheumatoid . I also get dry eyes and dry mouth
Gayle – Yep! My 84 year old mom always tells me “don’t go to sleep” when I’m driving her and its happening. I’ve tried to explain but now just say “OK mom just keep me awake” lol. It’s one of the main “effects” of a flare I do NOT like (((pain free hugs)))
Michele – I do, But I thought I was kinda the only one.
Anne – yep….but I have this problem 2-3 days a week ….but I am also diabetic but don’t believe its that….it’s way more under control than my RA …fibro and sjogrens……lasts all day and I wear excellent glasses and they don’t help much…..very frustrating to say the least!!!!!!
Laurie – Eyes are bothering me now, can’t stand looking at the screen, so not on fb much..only for short periods time…
Penny – Oh man…RA is like fibro, huh? I will just keep discovering all the wonderful things it can do and effect.
Lissa – Yep! I get that all to frequently as well as “floaters”. The eye doc can apparently see the floaters too. He also told me that Plaquenil can affect your eyesight
Jennifer – Yes, mine lasts from a few mins to hours. All that money on Lasik! Ugh!
Lorraine – I do too but didn’t associate it with my RA until just now. Great to know we are not alone.
Jaime – Yes, especially during a flare but my eyes are also really sensitive to lights now also and driving at night.. people think im nuts when i have my sunglasses on and its pouring rain and cloudy outside..
Tyler – Yes, I did a little over a year after my diagnosis. I already had very, very bad vision and was wearing contacts all the time. After seeing my ophthalmologist he recommended that I only wear glasses and not contacts. He also put me on steroid drops for a week or so. It cleared up now that I only wear glasses but I have to get checked regularly.
Penny – And yes, I’ve been having blurry vision lately, not sure if it’s got anything to do with the mtx but I’ll pay more attn
Rochelle – Yes I do!! See and ophthalmologist. I had severe uveitis from being in a major flare. I lost my vision for 3 months. I had to get injections in my eyes
Sarah – I have been diagnosed with Episcleritis…arthritis of the eye basically. It looks like I’m “high” in one eye sometimes. However, since being on my Remicade infusion, the redness/pain has diminished immensely!
Katrina – I do… haven’t found anything that helps it though.
Christina – Ugh yes, severely dry and blurry had to.have plugs put in through my tear ducts to stimulate moisture, no fun
Corrie – I get it but not always during a flare – sometimes it is the flare (meaning my eyes are the area that flares). Uveitis is an infection/inflammation of the iris. It is, in fact, how my RA was diagnosed. It causes clouding of the vision – if left untreated can cause permanent vision loss. It requires separate treatment (eye drops) but should be less prone to flair if your RA is well managed. Good luck!
Megan – Yes. A month before I am due for my rituxan.
Michelle – Ugh, yes! It’s like the picture is SHARP but not in focus. I also have Sjogren’s which doesn’t help. My ophthalmologist is sympathetic but says there’s very little that can be done.
Aron – Yes!! I even have a pair of glasses just for my flare up, then my normal glasses and contacts for non-flare up times! It’s mostly my left eye that gets blurry and double vision.
Carly – I’ve definitely noticed RA effecting my eyes. I didn’t have the best eyesight to begin with and especially since taking Plaquenil I’ve noticed that i’m having problems with my night vision especially but my eyes will just randomly blur and it doesn’t seem to have anything to do with my contacts. Ah, the joys of RA.
Deseree – During flares my eyes get so blurry that even with my glasses on I cannot see or read print on my 36 inch TV screen which sets 9 feet across the room from my recliner. I hate it. If I want to read print at the bottom of the screen I will have to get within 4 feet of the TV AND have my glasses on. That makes me almost legally blind at that point so I do not dare try to drive.
Louise – I have just had corrective eye surgery, lost my vision completely for first 3 days, was terrified, but apparently it was the rheumatoid and dry eye that caused the problem. Was very afraid to go ahead the next week for second eye, but because clinic was aware the second time, they gave me extra medication and i was fine, now reading etc without the need of my glasses. Something other sufferers should be aware of if thinking about undergoing this type of surgery,
Cindy – Yes I get it and its scary when you have to drive home 32 miles
Jen – Yes. I use over the counter eye drops for dry eyes and wear glasses the cheap ones and lowest Rx till it past. I also get my eye checked every six months
Michelle – I know with Plaquenil, you have to get more frequent eye exams because it can cause its own vision issues. But I notice blurred vision during flares and then my vision seems fine at other times. After seeing other comments on here, I guess my blurred vision has more to do with a flare than meds, since it’s not a constant issue with me.
Hilary – I do get blurred vision, also have uveitis.
Michele – Yes, I get this a lot, even tho I have not been on plaquenil in a long time. Some mornings I can not even read the FB posts until I wake up a bit and take some eye drops. My Dr. has not said I have dry eyes, and he always does a complete lupus/RA eye exam, so I truly do not know the reason, but I would mention it to the Dr. anyway. It may also be a symptom of one of those migraines that do not come with pain. Good luck to you.
Patty – Yes I get blurred vision when I flare. My doctor says it happens to some people some times, but it happens to me a lot.
Amandah – I get blurred vision during a flare and not during a flare. My eyes are usually always red and dry too.
Alison – I get blurry vision as well, along with ringing in the ears. I have RA, Crohn’s, and Autoimmune kidney disease. Any of the 3 can bother my vision.
Doreen – I have been experiencing blurred vision. So much that I saw a retina specialist yesterday at the recommendation of my rheumatologist, having been on hydrochloriquine. Apparently blurred vision and halos is due to rheumatoid activity in my eyes. What he said is that a number of meds can cause this as well as rheumatoid arthritis. Steroids, methotrexate, etc. I have extremely dry eyes. He said to use Refreshe 4 x a day. So far it has helped. My glasses work again… Hope this helps.
Kimberly – I get it several times a week, have also been to the eye dr and they said my vision is fine. I too, also have diabetes and thought that’s what it was but I’m pretty sure its the fibro
Val- I’ve got Uveitis in my left eye due to the RA. This is a permanent condition. Blurred vision and blood shot.
Julie – I get really blurry eyes after a treatment at the Osteopath, I wonder if it is related? I certainly get blurry eyes at other times, I thought it was just tiredness and fatigue, but now I wonder.
Mary – My vision blurs with a flare. Eye doc says it is inflammation on the optic nerve.
Noverta – Mary that’s what my doctor says too
Kay – Mary, me 3!
Joan – My eyes are blurring during a flare and other times too, Scares me to death, my husband is blind and I am the only one to drive us to Doctors or any where.
Ramona – Yes, I have had blurred vision a lot with flare ups but haven’t had it much now while using Humira and methotrexate
Kimberly – I am so glad this question was asked. I actually had been diagnosed with scleritis…& it was pretty bad. National Institutes of Health actually did a study relaying RA to scleritis, and a few other inflammatory eye diseases. Not all rheumatologists are aware, and not all ophthalmologists are aware. My recommendation is if you have RA and anything abnormal is going on with your eyes, see a specialist in ocular immunology. Johns Hopkins Hospital actually has this department in their Wilmer Eye Center. I’ve been on Humira for awhile an my joints were quiet, but my eyes were out of control. Was on steroids for over a year. Unfortunately, that can help with inflammation but can be very bad for eye pressure, leading to other issues. Methotrexate was added back to my meds and it is regulating things fine now. Scleritis is now quiet, but I did have permanent eye damage. But, it’s not getting worse, thanks be to God and good docs…& me doing my own research and asking probing questions. Best wishes to all and hope this helps.
Becky – Yep!
Ilsa – Yes, I get blurred vision often!
Linda – I have RA, Fibro, Sjorgens and Diabetes plus a variety of other problems. I can’t read anymore, drive very far and see anything clearly. I’ve had RA for 35 years and this problem started about 3 years ago.
Teresa – Yes, and my ear ringing..
Jan – @ Teresa …me, too! My ear has been ringing for almost 3 yrs. MRI & hearing tests were OK, but the ringing drives me batty!
Connie – yes, yes and yes—but tell the rheumy that–mine thinks I am nuts or he just says nothing—I think I know more about RA then he does?? Why does he not talk??
Cheryl – Actually I do
Joval – Blurry vision i m not sure but I have dry eyes and that’s the symptoms of RA. I have reduced use of contact lenses a lot n rely on glasses n eye drops.
Stacee – I get blurry vision also and it’s unpredictable at best.
Kimberly – “An Ocular Immunologist is an ophthalmologist who has, by virtue of advanced training in Ocular Immunology, developed highly specialized diagnostic and therapeutic skills in caring for patients with destructive inflammatory diseases of the eye mediated by abnormal immunoregulatory processes. Ocular Immunologists have advanced training and clinical experience with all inflammatory diseases of the eye, with systemic autoimmune disease, and with systemic immunomodulatory therapy.” -from the Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation webpage
Kimberly – Ref the dry eye, I have that also. To add moisture, was recommended to use preserve free moisturizing drops (they come in individual vials) versus eye drops in a bottle.
Tina – I’ve been experiencing blurred vision and went to the eye doctor. His first question “Have you been on long term steroid treatment?” My answer “Yes, prednisone. I have RA.” He then told me that I have developed a cataract most likely due to the prednisone.
Jane – I’ve been getting vision problems on and off didn’t think that it could be related to RA,but it would make sense, had my eyes checked but no problems found, and had ringing in the ears too for a while. Dr just said nothing you can do about it and that I will just get used to it after a while !?!
Kay – yes I do but I have sjorgens also so assumed it was due to that, learn something about this illness everyday!
Making Autoimmune Connections – yes, I blame it on meds
Alanna – yes indeed, I have sjogrens. I had the tear duct plugs put in, but whenever the RA goes very active my eyes also dry out. I’m on steroid drops and restasis.
Kim – Yes I do. I also have Glaucoma.
Ann – Today my left eye is acting up and has never done it before.I also have a infection.I have been having infections ever y time I take humira in the last year.I am telling my Dr. that I do not want it,but I am afraid that all meds cause problems.
Karen – Constantine So glad I saw this post. My vision has become blurry and at times I just need cheaters. I noticed this past week or two that I’ve needed them again. Currently not taking any meds (haven’t taken them since April) and flares have been manageable. Side effects of the MTX and sulfasalazine were making me dizzy and so tired to the point where I was afraid to drive. I’ve had the ringing in the ears too. Never thought about that being related.
Angie – Yes, blurred vision. Seems like its been happening more lately, especially in the evening which makes driving hard.
Jeanette – yes I was DX with optic neuritis as part of the disease and that has caused my vision to be impacted
Lourika – Yes
Gail – I didn’t know it was related either. Eyes have been blurry, and having a flare up.
Rachel – I HAVE BEEN GETTING THIS TOO. I HAVE A PT WITH JRA AND IT AFFECTS HER EYES.
Alessandra – Blurry and very dry – making it impossible to wear my contacts.
Christy – I am really glad someone else brought this up. Over the last three weeks I had a flare up and my vision was so bad I found it hard to read for more than 15 minutes at a time. It’s hard to explain because it’s not blurry but it feels like you are straining your eyes the whole time your reading. Over the last two days I have been feeling much better and my vision has returned to normal???
Shannon – Not so much blurry as ghosting…almost like 2 images not quite lined up, happens everyday and then it’s fine again until the next day…
Rachell – Yes, I have RA and SLE. I was diagnosed first with Pseudo Tumor Cerebri. When my flare is bad I can tell my pressure is up and I get blurry vision and night blindness.
Lisa – I have and have actually lost my vision for a short amount of time… Not sure if it was from the RA or something else. While driving, not a fun experience, especially living in the mountains. But blurry where I can’t focus is common and then all of a sudden everything is fine and vision is clear. MRI was clear… no tumor. Thankfully. Still need to see a neurologist.
Kim – Yes! Went to eye Dr and he told me that plaquenil can cause blurry eyes. In a flare now and eyes are terrible!
Kristin – I get ripping headaches and see spots, often if I forget to take my plaquenil. Also my night vision is SO bad!
Michelle – A very common side effect from Plaquenil is retinopathy. When I used to take it, I had to see an ophthalmologist 3 months after starting medication and then every 6 months after. I have since switched to methotrexate because Plaquenil wasn’t suppressing the RA at all. I never experienced blurred vision while on Plaquenil, thank goodness, but have recently noticed ringing in my right ear during a flare, my rheum has advised it’s inflammation of the nerves in my ear. Oh joys
Zelda – I have in the last month and my family was looking at me crazy.
Kelly – So glad I read these posts! This has been a new issue with me and it’s so sporadic—must ask my rheumy about it now!
MaryColleen – Twitchy eyes and very very bad night vision sometimes.
Rhoda – I have what the doc calls floaters. Its like I have little clouds in my eyes that move around. Usually goes away pretty quick
Rhoda – I am sorry for those who have the optic neuritis. It is very common with MS and didn’t know about being with RA until last month..
Cindy – I did when I was taking plaquenil…..
Courtney – My vision blurs often whether I am having a flare or not.
Kristina – Thank you thank you everyone.. I want to jump up and down and yell I’m not the only one… This RA makes me think I’m crazy at times. I question my body. I question the doctor. I question my family. I question my pain…. It’s great to have a group of friends who have been there done that.
Elaine – Yes I do!!
Kim – My eyesight has never been the same. I’ve developed a strange case of double vision and my eye muscles have relaxed to the point I really can’t be fully corrected for near or far sighted problems. I just make do and go on. Thank God for my iPad that I can’t make print sizes larger. Driving is scarier – especially at night.
Vickey – Yes!!
Lisa – Yes! I thought I was crazy!
Pam – Yes I get blurred vision, sore throat, constipation, itchy skin, you name it x x
Linda – I’m with you there Kristina. I use four different pairs of glasses lol
Cheryl – My eyes swelling, the whites becoming bright red (like blood) and my vision was almost gone. this was how my first big flare up started. the emergency room sent me home with pink eye. needless to say i was back the next day with pickle fingers and shoes that needed to be cut off my feet! My eyes are always tearing now and my vision is still blurry. eye dr. can only confirm that it is inflammation and gave me steroid drops…at least my eyes cant gain weight from the steroids!!!
RA Warriors – Yes I do. Mine started with photophobia. Then blurred vision. Blurriness intensity varies from day to day. I had it check with an Optha and said it was corneal scarring on both eyes caused by prolonged high blood pressure exposure of blood vessels behind the cornea. Said the remedy is to have the corneas replaced, but with great degree of rejection due to HB which I found out is caused by another prob/complication. The key is to keep the the flares off. But now, I am able to drive a car again (not during night time) I think my vision is better than 4 yrs ago, but still blurred from 20 meters and beyond.
Cheryl – Yes, it’s one of the tell tale symptoms that a major flare is beginning.
Beth – It’s definitely an issue for me.
Stephanie – Blurred vision, dry eyes, increased optic pressure, and calcium “rocks” in my eyes.
Lexie – I get dry eyes.
Karen – Yes, I get blurred vision too. Seeing a neurologist tomorrow.
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