[elf]

#1068377

Hi hyperm,

I would say generally, for people with Graves, anything "different" happening to the eyes, is most likely connected with Graves, or should be assumed connected with Graves, and should be checked by an ophtalmologist trained in TED.

What you are describing, is a slight reduction in vision that should happen with age (I’m 45 and just recently started having troubles finding a needle’s ear, and can read one line less on the visual test). You are way too young to start experiencing this.

Generally, they say it’s nice to have a baseline of your eyes done when TED is non-existent yet.

Take care,
elf

[ely2009]

#1068378

Hi M –

I just saw a 2nd opthamologist last week – didn’t like my first, he wasn’t very thorough. ” title=”Smile” /> I had a feeling that I wasn’t seeing clearly even when I was. doesn’t make sense I know. Things just looked different. I felt like something was blurry and then when I looked again it was perfectly clear. the 2nd doc (who did much more testing and explanation) tested my vision and I am 20/20 with my glasses. She attributed some of the blurriness to dry eyes – you can’t see clearly if your eyes aren’t lubricated properly, but then when I looked away or blinked I could see just fine. She did a tear test where she put little strips of paper in my lower lids and that measured the tear production – it was slightly below normal. So I continue to use drops and gel at night. So far, no other eye troubles.

Good luck.

Emily

[hyperm]

#1018998

Ok so I know lots of people on here are unfortunate to have problems with their eyes. ” title=”Sad” /> I have had all the gritty, teary eyes years ago. However, for the last 9 months I have had like a feeling that things are hazy in front of me and sometimes I really need to focus to see. Another way to put it is if there is subtitles on the TV I really need to strain to read them but can read a book ok although sometimes the words kinda dance on the page. ” title=”Confused” />

I had an eye test about 7 months ago and have 20/20 vision. Do you think this GD related or in general just fatigue? Should I mention it to my surgeon and ask for a referral to see someone else?

Thanks again friends xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Andros]

#1068379

hyperm wrote:Ok so I know lots of people on here are unfortunate to have problems with their eyes. ” title=”Sad” /> I have had all the gritty, teary eyes years ago. However, for the last 9 months I have had like a feeling that things are hazy in front of me and sometimes I really need to focus to see. Another way to put it is if there is subtitles on the TV I really need to strain to read them but can read a book ok although sometimes the words kinda dance on the page. ” title=”Confused” />

I had an eye test about 7 months ago and have 20/20 vision. Do you think this GD related or in general just fatigue? Should I mention it to my surgeon and ask for a referral to see someone else?

Thanks again friends xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I most definitely agree w/ elf. Please see a Board Certified Ophthalmologist. There is much to be done to stave off the progression of GED (Graves’ Eye Disease) and as elf has pointed out, a baseline is essential.

Lu Anne

[Ski]

#1068380

I would agree with both responses you’ve gotten ~ do make an appointment with an ophthalmologist (if the eye exam you spoke of was not with an ophthalmologist), and also pay particular attention to getting the lubrication your eyes need. I think that’s a function of all autoimmune diseases, though don’t quote me on that, it may be just thyroid disease ~ our tears get less viscous, and do not provide the moisture that our eyes really need to work right. If your eyes are constantly producing tears, that’s actually a clue they are dry ~ they keep producing tears to moisturize, which don’t moisturize enough, so more tears come.

I had about a year or two where I kept going back to my eye doctor, complaining that my newest contact lenses were defective, I could see with the last pair, now the new pair didn’t work right, and he kept telling me that he was amazed I was "so sensitive" to the tiniest change in my prescription. Sadly, I discovered later that he was just patting me on the back and giving me a new pair at the same prescription (do NOT ask how that got past me), but once I found my NEW eye doctor, I was finally told that significant levels of dryness in your eye can actually change your prescription by one (or two) points. Paying a lot of attention to using artificial tears can really help keep your vision steady.

My personal advice would be to get some preservative-free artificial tears (NOT get-the-red-out drops), and use them liberally. When you’re on the computer, every 15 minutes is NOT too often ~ when you’re doing other things that don’t necessarily stress your eyes, you can probably use them far less. Use them for a few days to see if your issues begin to resolve. If not, pursue the ophthalmologist appointment to make sure that something more serious isn’t going on. Your sight is important, and with your history on ALL of this, I’d think "better safe than sorry." ” title=”Very Happy” />

[hyperm]

#1068381

Thanks everyone for their advice, Ski you are right its all pointing in the same direction towards seeing an opthamologist. Also you are right with my history no doubt something will be detected.

Emily, I can understand what you are saying as that is very similar as to how I feel. Its like I have to screw my eyes up and really concentrate at times – so frustrating!

I have my appointment on the 11th of this month with my surgeon so will def mention it to her then

Thanks again everyone xxx

[hyperm]

#1068382

Hi,

Ok went to see my surgeon today for post op app. I mentioned the probs I am having with my eyes. She floored me with her response – don’t worry she was lovely. Anyway she said well that was one of the reasons we didn’t give you RAI because your eyes were "dodgy to begin with"! I was like eh? Its seems when I was first ever seen by the horrible endo and highlighted the watery/gritty eyes etc.. he had noticed a deterioration etc.. of my eyes then and GED. He never once mentioned it to me and I just always thought that when they were checking my eyes (me following his finger etc..) that it was protocol. She said well we will give it 3 months and if it hasn’t settled down we will need to do something with your eyes. I am sick with worry. What does she mean? What can they do? Does it always end in surgery? I don’t want surgery on my eyes. They are not bulging and its not that bad but has there been a report that can indicate that things will get worse?

Oh I am sorry to always have to come back to you my friends who are coping with so much in your own lives for reassurance.

From a very scared hyperm
xxx

[elf]

#1068383

Well, nobody knows the answer, that’s the most terrible feeling… When something is happening with your eyes, and nobody can tell you when it’s going to stop, and if you will need any eye surgeries. I would say there is a very small percentage of people who really need eye surgery, clinically… The others don’t have their vision compromised. If you don’t want an eye surgery, you don’t have to have one! I certainly don’t have clinical indication for any eye surgeries…. I am doing them to look better…

But that’s waaay out there, first of all, maybe your eyes won’t progress at all. You just have to wait and see…. hard, I know.

elf

[Author]

Posts