Blurred vision

Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

In the past week or so, I've noticed that the vision in my right eye is blurred. My eyes have never been "bad" before, so this is very new to me. Of course, I'm terrified now that it is mets to the brain. I plan to call my doctor tomorrow to get in to see her soon and hopefully get a CT scan soon as well. Does anyone have an info they can share about this?

Thanks bunches!

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited December 2010

    Beth...Are you taking any hormonal pills like Tamox etc.....

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2010

    I am taking Tamoxifen

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited December 2010

    I read some other posts women on Tamox having blurry eye issues.

    Of course your best bet to see a DR.

    Good Luck to you.

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  • Mouser
    Mouser Member Posts: 245
    edited August 2013

    Hi Beth --

    See an optometrist!  There are lots of reasons for blurred vision -- the ones i worry about are not common at your age (cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and something called retinal scarring), but i'm sure there are others.  In fact, just last week a  30-something friend of mine said he's developed a bubble of fluid behind his retina -- the symptom is blurry vision....

    Not saying you shouldn't check in with your onc, but -- check in with an optometrist or ophthalmologist as well!

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  • mymountain
    mymountain Member Posts: 184
    edited December 2010

    Beth,

    I've been on tamox for about two years and have had a few episodes of blurry vision.  It's only in one eye and normally lasts a couple of days, then subsides.  If you are on tamoxifen, it is a good idea to have an annual eye exam.  An optomitrist can find any abnormalities and refer you to a opthalmologist if needed.  I say that only because it's usually easier to get an appt with an optomitrist (at least where I live).

    Hopefully the problem is just an se of the tam, and some nice trendy glasses will do the trick.

    ps I love the pic of your sweet baby!  

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited December 2010

    I have had several episodes of blurred vision in one eye.  And like mymountain it lasted for a couple of days.  No cause found.  I am on Arimidex so there could well be a connection but I don't know for sure.  If your eyes are dry keep them well lubricated with drops.

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited December 2010

    Also vision changes can be a sign of diabetes too. Are you unusually thirsty and pee a lot?

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited December 2010

    Don't know when you finished chemo, but it can also cause eye changes, which usually resolve within about 6 mos.  I'm not sure about Herceptin, but I'm wondering if that might also cause eye changes?   Deanna

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  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited December 2010

    depending..chemo can cause dry eyes and thus blurry vision. I have dry eyes which they believe was from the chemo and i'm 5 years out. I use some heavy dose eye drops. But..of course..best to see your doc.

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  • tracie23
    tracie23 Member Posts: 598
    edited December 2010

    After my last AC treatment my eyes went bad for about 4 weeks... burning, tearing, blurred vision it was like my eyes had been dilated for weeks... it does go away and it probably will come back. It is very annoying to deal with. I would have to just lay around with eyes closed it was to frustrating to try to watch tv or the computer or even a book. I hope this passes quickly for you

    Tracie

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  • whitbyjet
    whitbyjet Member Posts: 23
    edited December 2010

    Hi-I've been on Tamoxifen a little over a year. Last August my vision was so bad, along with other side effects I mentioned to my doctor. I thought my vision was just going due to age, but my oncologist confirmed it was probably the Tamoxifen. He had me take a break from it for 6 weeks, and sure enough, it cleared up. I'm back on it, but so far havent had too many side effects this time (he also put me on celexa which has helped reduce the side effects)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2010

    Thanks everyone so much for the responses! This is always the place to come when you have questions like this. I called my oncologist's office today and got in to see the PA today cuz the onc was out. I kinda hurried in because this morning while at work, i started getting dizzy to top things off! So, that freaked me out even more. Turns out she beleives the dizziness is labrynthitis (some wild inner ear thing). She did a bunch of neurological type testing in the office and couldn't find anything wrong in that regard. She couldn't explain the blurred vision and recommended an opthamologist. Of course, like mymountain said, it was difficult to get in, but I made an appointment for February. I already have glasses, but I never wear them. Guess I'll have to start!  My eyes aren't dry at all, and I've been done with chemo since June. I wouldn't be surprised if it were some med side effect, like so many of you suggested. I don't have any diabetes/sugar issues, luckily. Hell, as long as it isn't brain mets, I don't think I care what it is!!  : )

    Hugs to all you wonderful ladies who have responded. I really really appreciate it. You all made me feel better.  : ) 

    And thank you, mymountain..the little baby in my pic is my nephew. He's 18 mos now and a little devil!! Not as sweet as he once was...lol.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2010

    OH, forgot this...

    They are trying not to give me a CT scan on the brain. She said they really try to not subject patients to the radiation from scans as much as possible. So, that is pretty much a last resort. She will discuss my issues when the oncologist is back tomorrow and see if that is something the onc wants to do, instead of waiting for me to see the opthamologist all the way in february.

    Do any of your doctors think of scans as possibly being unnecessary radiation exposure?

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  • konakat
    konakat Member Posts: 6,085
    edited December 2010

    I wouldn't ask for a CT  --  An MRI is more accurate for the brain.  There is no radiation involved with an MRI too -- it's magnetic fields.

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  • Iamstronger
    Iamstronger Member Posts: 378
    edited December 2010

    Beth,

    My onc doesn't do scans unless absolutely necessary because of the radiation exposure. 

    I totally understand your fears.  I have been having this weird pressure in my head for months.  Finally, my GP, not my onc ordered an MRI.  The MRI came out totally fine.  Very relieved that I got the MRI and now I no longer worry about brain mets.  Ya know, with all the chemo, herceptin, tamox and other stuff we are taking to fight this, I am not surprised that we are experiencing some strange side effects.  Hang in there.

    V

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  • TammyLou
    TammyLou Member Posts: 740
    edited December 2010

    Steroids.  (cause blurred vision...I had it for 6-10 months after completing cancer treatment.)

    tl

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2010

    I hate the thought of a MRI. I've been told I can't have one while I still have my mediport? Though you are right konakat...no radiation and more accurate.

    I'm glad your MIR didn't show anything bad vmarie! And so true...with all the crap our bodies go through with this stuff, it's no wonder I can't see straight! : )

    Ahhhh, Tammy Lou...one more possible cause!!  Steroids!  

    I found a new opthamologist and got a MUCH faster appointment. I go on Monday. 

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