Author Topic: A lack of Vision (Read 7331 times)

Life · « **on:** February 21, 2007, 10:17:19 pm »

Well, I have made the decision to do it...

Thanks Ann, Mark and Rodney for giving me the push...

I have decided to go and find out whats going on with the eyes.. I made an appointment with the Opthomologist for this upcoming Wednesday.. I have over a period of months noticed blurrier vision and itchy eyes. It has become irritating to me. Maybe its the amount of time reading threads and they are just tired, or maybe its something else. Is it related to hiv, or maybe its just getting to "that" age? I know hiv throughs a few curves such as CMV and some others. I don't really think so as my numbers never got dangerously low. This is yet another doctor that I dont want in my pocket and something else to "think" about. I am not really ready to tackle another bad "deal" but I think my thinking was changed when talking to some of the members here. I work as an accountant in one job, and it would be good for me to continue to take care of my eyes.

I talked with the admissions gal at the eye doctor and told her I have not been checked up on since 2002 and that between then and now have become hiv positive. I asked if they were wise enough to know about the in's and out's of hiv and its affect on the eyes and they assured me they have a handful of hiv positive guys and gals in the valley who are under their care. So I hope that's good enough. Dr. Ben just says Im getting older and that a eye checkup would be in good order..

I was hoping to get some feedback on your Opthomology adventures, and hopfully, not get the shit scared out of me as I read.

RapidRod · « **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2007, 10:20:03 pm »

Eric, everything is going to be okay. Remember the blue contacts.

dtwpuck · « **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2007, 10:39:46 pm »

Good luck Eric... let us know how it goes.

koi1 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2007, 11:25:30 pm »

Hii Eric,

I have had problems with my eyes since 96 when I started getting this weird inflamation. I would get it in one eye only and it seemed to alternate. I would also get pain with light. They called it eyeritis and uveitis, but never told me what caused it. Looking back, it could have been related to HIV, don't know. It is good that you are going to get it checked out.

My inflamation got so bad, that I have floaters now from the scarring that was left. The course of treatment was always atropine and a steroid, to slow down the healing process and prevent the floaters.

What is strange is that I have not had an episode in a while. However your symptoms are very much how my eyes feel now, especially my right one. I brought this up to the ID specialist, she examined my eyes and said that they looked fine to her. However she did tell me to go see an eye doctor if I was concerned about it still. Which I am. So I will try to see a doctor soon. So you are definitely doing the right thing now.

What I do to avoid eye strain is enlarge the text on the computer. On my computer, it is control +. Look on your browser in the tools section. Though my vision is normal, this helps with the eye strain.

Hugs,

Rob.

jkinatl2 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2007, 11:30:49 pm »

I would be freaked out if my eyes started acting up again. I am glad you are seeing a specialist about it.

Teresa · « **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2007, 11:34:35 pm »

Eric,

Honey the symptoms you are describing sound exactly like what I had a few years ago. You know what it was from....getting older. I had to get bifocals and use eye drops for dry eyes. So I am hoping your diagnosis will be the same as mine was and not related to HIV.

Keep us posted.

Hugs
Teresa

jkinatl2 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2007, 11:44:37 pm »

Ya know, that scares me, because lately, fine print has made me take off my glasses and squint. I fear bifocals are in my future as well. Man, I had sorta hoped to die before getting old. Seems that didn't work out so well.

Teresa · « **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2007, 11:48:51 pm »

No need to fear bifocals. I have the lineless lens so no one knows they are bifocals. Not sure how contacts work though. But the glasses are a piece of cake. Didn't take me long to get used to them.

Hugs
Teresa

Life · « **Reply #8 on:** February 21, 2007, 11:53:01 pm »

Its taken me awhile to come to grips with this that its important now especially with a lesser than perfect immune system to go see an eye doctor on a regular basis. I made it past the dentist ok, I hope this aspect of my slew of new doctors works out ok to... I was a mess going to them even before my diagnosis so this has been a pretty big mind over doctor battle for me.. Teresa, I hope its simple and Rob & Johnathan, I hope I haven't waited to long. I am sure in my HIV and ME guidebook

it says something about keeping a close eye on the eye.

Tucsonwoody · « **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2007, 12:06:34 am »

Eric -

I know someone in his early 50's whose had the same prescription for his glasses for 10+ years. Recently he started having trouble reading the paper, so he got some prescription for some reading glasses...and has never used them as the blurriness has gone away. Might have been related to his problems with some OI's and bad numbers, which are getting slightly better.

Also, he has seen an opthamologist 4 times in about 3 months to check for CMV...and so far no problems. One thing they did find was something called cotton wool spots...which can be caused by HIV I guess and can be a problem...but if you have them, don't freak as they seem to vary in size and impact and come and go over time. He didn't have any consequences from having them so far.

I hate having my eyes messed with...but after they done testing...I'm always glad to know where I stand. Best of luck and let us know how it goes.

Robert · « **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2007, 12:25:15 am »

Well, Eric, I'm fifty something too and I have had glasses since the 5th grade. I had my eyes checked for CMV when I was recovering from PCP 4 years ago. Everything was fine. But now I have floaters. They are a nuisance.

The vison thing keeps getting worse. But my eye Dr attributes it to old age. I hate bifocals. They make me dizzy. I have one pair of glasses for the computer, one for reading, and one for driving. I think that's your problem, what with working with numbers and computers and all that. Old age and eye strain. Bad combination.

robert

poet · « **Reply #11 on:** February 22, 2007, 06:41:44 am »

I guess my situation is visible here?

I have apparently had glasses since the second grade, when the teacher and my parents finally figured out that my trouble learning was partly based on the fact that I couldn't see the blackboard. At 51, my eyes are getting stronger as most people's do with age, so blurring can be attributable to having the wrong prescription for the current condition. I also have lineless bifocals. They are necessitated my watching where I was looking since down was for reading and up was for distance. Floaters, too. So, back to Eric, yes of course you should have/need to have your eyes looked at yearly if only as someone who drives a car and it most likely will show nothing connected to hiv. Best, Win

bocker3 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 22, 2007, 08:21:17 am »

Eric,

I'm glad that you made the appt. Just like all the worried well out there, it is always better to know the news, so that any action that is required can be taken. Of course, I understand that it can take a while to "work up the courage".
I think that one of the positive changes that has occurred for me since my diagnosis, is that I do take much better care of my health. I have been seeing an Opthomologist every other years for quite a while because my father lost is sight due Macular Degeneration -- and the biggest risk factors for this are, family history, blue eyes and a light complexion -- seeing as I hit all 3 of those, I go. So far, my eyes are good -- although they are aging and reading the paper in the morning is bit difficult at times, so reading glasses probably aren't far off. I also have begun seeing a dermatologist every year to check out my lily-white skin -- I have 2 colors -- white and red, so skin cancer freaks me out.
So, kudos to you for fighting through your fear and doing the right thing. Here's hoping it's just a case of tired, old eyes.
Aging may be a bitch at times, but it certainly beats the alternative!!!

Hugs and

,
Mike

Andy Velez · « **Reply #13 on:** February 22, 2007, 08:39:55 am »

Good move, Eric.

There are a myriad of possibilites about what's going on with your eyes which have nothing to do with HIV. Like your vision changing as you get older....yah, I thought you'd really like that one.

Anyway, it's exactly right that you're getting a checkup.

We'll be waiting to hear.

Cheers,

Pippet · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2007, 09:42:04 am »

I have had the same problem with my eyes. It started when I started meds. At first I thought it was just irritation from having jaundice from the Reyataz, etc. Now, the yellowing has cleared but I'm left with red, dry, irritated eyes. Nothing over-the-counter has helped. I, too have an appointment to see an eye doc. I haven't been to one since 2001 when I had corrective eye surgery.
Let us know how it goes.

Pippet

Moffie65 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 22, 2007, 09:53:48 am »

Now Eric,

You of all people should now know that an annual eye check is mandatory for us HIV'ers.

Please accept this along with all the other shit we must do to keep on top of any problems that might arise. Eyes and Teeth are affected in ways that are not all documented yet, and the sooner you realize that not everything is documented, the sooner you will be able to accept these little bumps in the road as "normal".

Please with the eyes! You probably simply need reading correction at this point, as the symptoms that you call out are mostly tied to aging; something you should feel priveleged to do, and hopefully with a bit of "grace". Hell, you do everything else gracefully, so aging for you should be a snap...

I have been in Tri-focals since the onset of PCP the first time in 1994, so all I can say is you will get used to it. As for the "no-line"; if you choose to go this route, please be aware that they can also be the cause of a load of discomfort. I got my first no-line in Albuquerque and in three months had to rid myself of them and go back to lines. They made me so nauseaus and miserable that I didn't even know they were the cause. With the lined lenses, I now don't even know they are there. Just like HIV, you learn to adapt.

Love ya, and please don't obsess about this, it will be history soon enough.

mjmel · « **Reply #16 on:** February 22, 2007, 10:08:50 am »

Moffie65,
That's interesting that you prefer lined trifocals. I have the opposite preference. I started with no-lines and recently had to order a pair of lined bifocals. Hate 'em. I really have to watch myself going down the stairs as my eyes have a hard time adjusting to the difference in focuses. I lose momentum and balance sometimes. Guessing it's just what one first adapts to from the onstart.
No-line featherweights are a wonderful invention. Fraigle, however.
xxx,
Mike

aztecan · « **Reply #17 on:** February 22, 2007, 11:06:18 am »

Eric,

You already know what I think, so, nuff said.

Now, about bifocals. I like unlined, but that's all I've ever used. The doc told me to start off right away with unlined and I would never switch.

So far, he's right.

It also helps if you have a hunky opthamologist.

Keep us posted.

HUGS,

Mark

Ann · « **Reply #18 on:** February 22, 2007, 01:56:11 pm »

Hey Eric, I'm real glad to hear you made that appointment.

I'm looking forward to hearing all about it!

Ann
xxx

Life · « **Reply #19 on:** February 22, 2007, 09:14:04 pm »

Quote from: Moffie65 on February 22, 2007, 09:53:48 am

Now Eric,

You of all people should now know that an annual eye check is mandatory for us HIV'ers.

Love ya, and please don't obsess about this, it will be history soon enough.

I know I was going to get a spanking from you Tim.... I will let you know how all this goes.. Ive done my part, Ill show up and let them do their thing..

Thanks again as always...

Pippet · « **Reply #20 on:** February 22, 2007, 10:13:23 pm »

I went to the eye doc today for the same reason.
After a few test (and even more $$$) I was told it was probably just allergies and given some drops.
I guess this is good news but my eyes are still bugging the sh*t out of me.
Better news, I'm 40 years old and holding on to 20/20. (after Lasik in 2001).
I'm very curious what you find out.

Take care, Pippet

AlanBama · « **Reply #21 on:** February 22, 2007, 10:25:44 pm »

Eric, I tend to agree with Teresa here...I'm betting you just need some new glasses. Always best to be checked regularly, as Tim says.

Vision problems can make you feel so OLD. I consider myself very lucky and blessed that I never had CMV, even during years of single digit T cell counts.
However, in 2004 I had a tremendous floater that materialized out of nowhere, in my right eye. It made reading difficult, and working on the computer a chore. I decided to have it removed last Spring, and recovery from that surgery (partial vitrectomy) was a breeze....except now I have developed a cataract in that eye, a side effect I was more or less prepared for. I went for my eye exam awhile back, and you know how they have you cover one eye and then test your peripheral vision by holding up one or two fingers, and asking you to tell them how many? When I covered my left eye, I could not see the woman's HAND let alone how many fingers she had up! I didn't realize how bad my vision had become, except that I knew night time driving was something I would avoid if possible. I got some new stronger glasses (progressives) and am doing o.k. with them. Will be tested again this summer.

Good luck, and remember it always pays to be proactive! Let us know what you find out......

Hugs,
Alan

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Author Topic: A lack of Vision (Read 7331 times)