Re: eye exams

[Guest guest]

Last time my eyes were dialated it took over 4 days to get to the point that

I could read, not just that they were no longer dialated. My mother has the

same problem. I don't know if it's genetic or if there is something

associated with the spondies.

Since in the last dialation process the drops for the first time felt like

hot pokers being stabbed in my eyes, I have declined another dialation.

Earlier in the year I went to a doc who insists I have them dailated. If I

decided to go ahead with surgery with him, I will have to have them dialated

but I am going to insist that he is the one who puts in the drops so he can

see the reaction and not reply on the word of his assistant for the

reaction.

I have had my eyes dialated since I was 7 years old and I think I was in my

40's when the excessive pain and prolonged dialation occcurred. One doc used

neosynephrine instead of the usual stuff used to dialate but no one else has

seemed to know anything about his procedure. I guess I'll have to go back to

middle GA to this doc in the future.

GA

[Guest guest]

Jen, most doctors ask to check your eyes every six months while you use

plaquenil. They check the retina for any possible problems. However, I wouldn't

worry about any problems as long as you have them checked on time. Several of my

doctors have told me they have never seen anyone develop a problem with the

retina at the small dose levels that we use for autoimmune diseases. (Plaquenil

is given for malaria at higher doses and that is why they have more problems

and the literature addresses this.) The dilation's are a nuisance, but usually

never cause pain for any length of time. The literature says you can have

headache, but I've never experienced that. On the contrary, dilating the eye can

ease eye pain (like the pain from eye inflammation or eye surgery). Many of us

that have iritis/uveitis have to dilate our eyes for weeks at a time. Our

bodies get used to it and our good eye takes over so we are able to drive and

watch TV. There are several types that they use for dilation. Some are short

acting and some are long acting. Always take a pair of sunglasses with you to

the

eye doctor because when your eyes are dilated, they are very sensitive to

light.

I have a glaucoma implant and sometimes a stitch will come to the surface of

my eye and I use the dilating drops to ease that type of pain.

http://www.medicinenet.com/atropine_sulfate-ophthalmic/article.htm

[Guest guest]

I've had my pupils dialated once, but it wasn't that bad. I think it depends on

the individual. I did have someone drive me just in case. Was it a sunny day?

Sometimes that has alot to do with it. I get my eyes checked every 3 mos. In

fact I see my doctor next week. The last time I went, they didn't dialate them,

but he did check them. As long as I don't need a stick and a dog, I'm happy.

Good luck.

[Guest guest]

Connie,

Every six months? Really? Yuck! I got one doozy of a headache,

and my eyes still felt irritated this morning.

I couldn't imagine going around with my pupil dilated for weeks at a

time...it was just a really unpleasant feeling for me. And I

couldn't use my own sunglasses for this adventure, because I

normally wear contacts, and had to take them out. So, I had to wear

those lovely disposable ones. In addition to looking like an owl

for almost 5 hours, I got to look like a complete dork on the trip

home!

OMG, I can't imagine what it would feel like to have a stitch in

your eye, and have it come to the surface. That does not sound

pleasant at all!

Thanks for the info.

Jen