I was warned not to go in to get tested for glasses during my 4-5 rounds of chemo. About two months after I stopped, I had my eyes tested, and they were much worse than they had been 6 months earlier. Before the chemo, I only needed reading glasses in the 175-225 range . My vision at a distance was actually pretty damn good.
Now I need glasses all the time, even to watch TV across the room. I don't have any complaints. I knew the chemo could bring with it a wide range of new challenges, and of those, correctable vision changes seemed like a small price to pay for remission.
Its been 6 months and I have been through a bone marrow transplant since then with no significant new changes to my vision.
Good luck.
Forums
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Sailor Mike - Name: Mike Verla
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: February 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Multiple myeloma and eyesight
Vision problems are a well-known complication of diabetes, due to the damage to retina. It's called diabetic retinopathy. It is true that it happens after the blood sugars have been high for a while, but often people don't know they have diabetes and go along for quite some time before getting diagnosed. So many people have significant retinopathy (or its sibling, nephropathy – damage to the kidney) at the time of diagnosis.
As an alternative explanation, are you having significant swelling? Because you can have corneal swelling along with any other generalized swelling, which can distort the cornea and change vision. multiple myeloma itself can cause swelling if your kidney is involved, and so many of the meds we take also cause swelling!
Also I agree that you should see an ophthalmologist.
Good luck!
As an alternative explanation, are you having significant swelling? Because you can have corneal swelling along with any other generalized swelling, which can distort the cornea and change vision. multiple myeloma itself can cause swelling if your kidney is involved, and so many of the meds we take also cause swelling!
Also I agree that you should see an ophthalmologist.
Good luck!
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Tracy J - Name: Tracy Jalbuena
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 42
Re: Multiple myeloma and eyesight
Okay, let me step in,
56 years old, on trial of Revlimid but no SCT. Looking thru normal eyes but, as I said, severe deterioration since 4 months ago. Patiently taking all presented – aspirin, allopurinol, prednisolone, Endone (oxycodone), and other neoplasia malignant drugs.
When normal driving became a problem, plus looking at normal signs, I was very, very worried that some drug or multiple myeloma was causing the issue.
I know I should see an ophthalmology expert, but, hey, there must be a previously experienced somebody who can say, " Yep, I know what you mean."
Please, am I on a spiral down, or is there a person who is on the up with help or medication?
Thank you.
56 years old, on trial of Revlimid but no SCT. Looking thru normal eyes but, as I said, severe deterioration since 4 months ago. Patiently taking all presented – aspirin, allopurinol, prednisolone, Endone (oxycodone), and other neoplasia malignant drugs.
When normal driving became a problem, plus looking at normal signs, I was very, very worried that some drug or multiple myeloma was causing the issue.
I know I should see an ophthalmology expert, but, hey, there must be a previously experienced somebody who can say, " Yep, I know what you mean."
Please, am I on a spiral down, or is there a person who is on the up with help or medication?
Thank you.
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Alex
Re: Multiple myeloma and eyesight
Alex, since you are so worried, I'm at a loss as to why you won't go to an ophthalmologist. No one here can diagnose your condition with certainty, only present possibilities.
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cdnirene - Name: Irene S
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 66
Re: Multiple myeloma and eyesight
Alex:
Get thee to the eye doctor, forthwith!
While you do not specify "other neoplasia malignant drugs", the steroid you are taking, prednisolone, is long known for it's association with cataracts and "non-specific eye-changes" (thickening of structures, vascular changes, lens opacities, etc).
Ditto, your Gout medication (excess uric acid crystals)
My ophthalmologist started the ball rolling on my diagnosis. Quite capable folks.
Go see your ophthalmologist.
Good luck.
Get thee to the eye doctor, forthwith!
While you do not specify "other neoplasia malignant drugs", the steroid you are taking, prednisolone, is long known for it's association with cataracts and "non-specific eye-changes" (thickening of structures, vascular changes, lens opacities, etc).
Ditto, your Gout medication (excess uric acid crystals)
My ophthalmologist started the ball rolling on my diagnosis. Quite capable folks.
Go see your ophthalmologist.
Good luck.
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Rneb
Re: Multiple myeloma and eyesight
Agreed. As you can tell by my own story (and that of the others who have chimed in here), you aren't alone, and the solution is ...
Go see an opthamologist.
As in, now. You may well be amazed at what can be done; I was, and in spite of the multiple myeloma (or rather, dexamethasone, evidently) causing vision problems, I now see better than I have since I was eight years old.
Many of the vision problems we have are fixable, or treatable. However, the eye docs can't fix it if you don't let them SEE it.
Go see an opthamologist.
As in, now. You may well be amazed at what can be done; I was, and in spite of the multiple myeloma (or rather, dexamethasone, evidently) causing vision problems, I now see better than I have since I was eight years old.
Many of the vision problems we have are fixable, or treatable. However, the eye docs can't fix it if you don't let them SEE it.
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dianaiad - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Officially...March 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 63
Re: Multiple myeloma and eyesight
New study outlining some of the potential ocular diseases associated with progressive monoclonal gammopathies.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4524399/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4524399/
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Multiple myeloma and eyesight
Eric, et.al.,
My vision has been steadily decreasing over the last two years or so. Started detecting cataracts during eye exam last year, and they were worse at this year's exam. Went and saw an ophthalmologist and discovered I have dex-induced cataracts. My doctor indicated they can tell the difference between age- and drug-related cataracts by how they form. I would suggest seeing an ophthalmologist to see if it's an issue for you.
My vision has been steadily decreasing over the last two years or so. Started detecting cataracts during eye exam last year, and they were worse at this year's exam. Went and saw an ophthalmologist and discovered I have dex-induced cataracts. My doctor indicated they can tell the difference between age- and drug-related cataracts by how they form. I would suggest seeing an ophthalmologist to see if it's an issue for you.
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Kevin J - Name: Kevin J
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 52
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