Hi everyone,
I am asking this question on behalf of my mom who has myeloma.
Is it common to develop vision problems, specifically retinal occlusion, as a result of multiple myeloma? If so, does the problem get better after you finish treatment?
She is so scared of losing her eyesight.
Thank you in advance, and I wish you all well in your journey.
Juno
Forums
6 posts
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Re: Vision problems (retinal occlusion) & multiple myeloma
Hi Juno,
I have had myeloma since 2008, although only diagnosed in 2012, I have also suffered from an eye condition similar to iritis since 1980.
I have found that both the myeloma and the various medications can have minor but noticeable effects upon the vision. More specifically, I notice changes in the ability of one or both eyes to focus either for reading or driving or both. If the change can be rectified by using my spectacles when normally they would not be necessary, then I do not worry and the problem is probably due to the sensitivity of the eye muscles. If the spectacles do not help, I would consider an ophthalmic examination because eyes can be as precious as life itself. If a person does not use spectacles, they can try focusing on some local tv antenna or tree using a pair of binoculars to confirm if the defect can be rectified with an optical aid.
The most serious symptom I have encountered with my treatment was from Revlimid when I would sometimes awake in the night with a serious burning sensation in one eye and the vision would be seriously affected to the point that it was similar to being in a room full of steam. The effect would always wear off within hours and seemed to be connected with sleep and never occurred whilst awake.
I have, thankfully, had no recurrence of the iritis since 2007, treatment for that would be with Maxidex (dexamethasone solution) as prescribed by an ophthalmologist. Without treatment the eye would be at risk.
Our eyes are often the first place for undesirable effects to appear. If in the slightest doubt, seek urgent advice. Often a simple course of eye drops can rectify an alarming symptom, but serious disorders such as glaucoma must be identified and treated with urgency.
Kindest regards from your non-professional friend!
I have had myeloma since 2008, although only diagnosed in 2012, I have also suffered from an eye condition similar to iritis since 1980.
I have found that both the myeloma and the various medications can have minor but noticeable effects upon the vision. More specifically, I notice changes in the ability of one or both eyes to focus either for reading or driving or both. If the change can be rectified by using my spectacles when normally they would not be necessary, then I do not worry and the problem is probably due to the sensitivity of the eye muscles. If the spectacles do not help, I would consider an ophthalmic examination because eyes can be as precious as life itself. If a person does not use spectacles, they can try focusing on some local tv antenna or tree using a pair of binoculars to confirm if the defect can be rectified with an optical aid.
The most serious symptom I have encountered with my treatment was from Revlimid when I would sometimes awake in the night with a serious burning sensation in one eye and the vision would be seriously affected to the point that it was similar to being in a room full of steam. The effect would always wear off within hours and seemed to be connected with sleep and never occurred whilst awake.
I have, thankfully, had no recurrence of the iritis since 2007, treatment for that would be with Maxidex (dexamethasone solution) as prescribed by an ophthalmologist. Without treatment the eye would be at risk.
Our eyes are often the first place for undesirable effects to appear. If in the slightest doubt, seek urgent advice. Often a simple course of eye drops can rectify an alarming symptom, but serious disorders such as glaucoma must be identified and treated with urgency.
Kindest regards from your non-professional friend!
-
Victor L - Name: Victor L
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Vision problems (retinal occlusion) & multiple myeloma
Thank you for your post. I am also interested in retinal occlusions among myeloma patients.
I recently lost a lot of vision in one eye. Went immediately to my eye doctor, who happens to be a retinal specialist.
This is all quite new to me and quite frightening. I have had several days of a lot of information being discussed with my myeloma specialist and a retina specialist. I am glad I saw them BOTH about this. I have had many tests, including OCT pictures. I now know I have a central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). There are many factors that determine treatment and causes. I have been on Revlimid, however I am too new to this event and too confused to draw any conclusions just yet.
I hope your mother's vision problem is resolved. Best of luck to her.
Please keep us informed.
I recently lost a lot of vision in one eye. Went immediately to my eye doctor, who happens to be a retinal specialist.
This is all quite new to me and quite frightening. I have had several days of a lot of information being discussed with my myeloma specialist and a retina specialist. I am glad I saw them BOTH about this. I have had many tests, including OCT pictures. I now know I have a central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). There are many factors that determine treatment and causes. I have been on Revlimid, however I am too new to this event and too confused to draw any conclusions just yet.
I hope your mother's vision problem is resolved. Best of luck to her.
Please keep us informed.
Re: Vision problems (retinal occlusion) & multiple myeloma
Good morning all,
I also had vision problems, but before my myeloma diagnosis. I think that was in 2008. I had colourful flashes of lights in both eyes when I closed my eyes. Needless to say, this was frightening. I went first to my optometrist, and then to an ophthalmologist. They both examined my eyes to see if I had retinal tearing away from the back of the eye. That was negative. I can only surmise that since I was later diagnosed with this blood cancer, my blood may have been getting thickened due to the cancer, and possibly causing a problem that way. After I got treatments for myeloma, these 'flashing lights' in my eyes disappeared, thankfully.
I also had vision problems, but before my myeloma diagnosis. I think that was in 2008. I had colourful flashes of lights in both eyes when I closed my eyes. Needless to say, this was frightening. I went first to my optometrist, and then to an ophthalmologist. They both examined my eyes to see if I had retinal tearing away from the back of the eye. That was negative. I can only surmise that since I was later diagnosed with this blood cancer, my blood may have been getting thickened due to the cancer, and possibly causing a problem that way. After I got treatments for myeloma, these 'flashing lights' in my eyes disappeared, thankfully.
-
Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Vision problems (retinal occlusion) & multiple myeloma
Hi Juno,
As with every myeloma patient being different, so too are everyone's eyes. I am not making any recommendations here. As I stated above, this is all new to me.
Again, I do have a retinal occlusion (CRVO). After consulting with THREE doctors (a multiple myeloma specialist, a cardiologist, and a ophthalmologist), I am taking Lovenox (enoxaparin). The theory is to break up the clot.
I could not find any studies on the drug for this use, I am not recommending this drug. As you all probably know, blood thinners and other similar drugs should never be taken without your doctor's approval.
As with every myeloma patient being different, so too are everyone's eyes. I am not making any recommendations here. As I stated above, this is all new to me.
Again, I do have a retinal occlusion (CRVO). After consulting with THREE doctors (a multiple myeloma specialist, a cardiologist, and a ophthalmologist), I am taking Lovenox (enoxaparin). The theory is to break up the clot.
I could not find any studies on the drug for this use, I am not recommending this drug. As you all probably know, blood thinners and other similar drugs should never be taken without your doctor's approval.
Re: Vision problems (retinal occlusion) & multiple myeloma
My husband developed retinal occlusion about 1 year ago. He was getting eye injections about every 6 weeks from his retinal specialist. At that time he was on daily maintenance of 10 mg Revlimid. His vision has improved significantly in the last 4 months and so his injections are now at about every 3 months.
His initial symptoms were blurry vision in the left eye.
He had no drops or oral meds, just the injections.
His initial symptoms were blurry vision in the left eye.
He had no drops or oral meds, just the injections.
6 posts
• Page 1 of 1