Eye exams for plaquenil

[Winnie]

I have been taking plaquenil for 3 years and saw a different opthamologist this time. She indicated that yearly testing is adequate until u have been on it 5 years then they will test every 6 months.  For those who have been on it more than 5 years, are u getting tested every 6 months?

Winnie

[A66eyroad]

My rheumy wanted me to be tested every six months, but my ophthalmologist says once a year is fine. When I told my rheumy that, he said okay, so that confused me.

One thing, though --- the Plaquenil has given me so much improvement that I would have a hard time deciding whether I would quit taking it, whether wanted my vision or to feel well. That would be a terrible decision to have to make.

[anita]

The longer you are on Plaquenil, they higher the risk of ocular side-effects...so this is a good idea.  I have taken Plaquenil for over 5 years and see the ophthalmologist every 6 months and my other doctors all agree this is best.

But I will add that I have the field of vision test only once a year.

[Tharrell]

My eye doctor did the Field Vision test every 6 month. So I guess it depends on the doctor. My rheumy took me of plaquenil so I'm back to just my one year exam unless I have trouble with my eyes.

[Madison Granny]

The eye MD I used to go to test me only once a year.  But this year I went to a retina specialist and he said since I have been on Plaquenil for 5 years I needed to be tested every 6 months.  Your chance of trouble increase with each year you are on it.

[irish]

Optometrist is my very smart daughter-in-law who researched the Plaquenil angle a whole lot. She said that one of the last optometrists conventions they honed in on sjogrens big time and also discussed the plaquenil and eye exams. The feeling at this time is that yearly is good enough and at 5 years the exams should be every 6 months. Of course there are always a few souls who may have some unusual effects from the drug.

The important thing to know is that we are not taking very high dosages of the Plaquenil. People who take it for malaria take much higher dosages and those are the people who have had more eye issues. At the same time never take your eyes for granted and if you feel uneasy talk with your doc and eye doc to see if, per chance you are experiencing early signs of eye involvement.

I just had my numerous eye scans, field vision testing ,etc., done and my eyes are stable. There is a little something that she wants to watch but I also have a little early glaucoma, catarracts starting and type 2 diabetes so there are many things for her to keep track of. My big issue right now is that the skin in my eyelids has started to sag a "whole lot" and I have to hold my eyes open wide when I read so I can see. Sooo, surgery is coming down the bend and I am not ready for it!!!!Irish

[litliwlowa]

My opthalmologist does vision field test, vision test and slit lamp exam every 6 months and I've only been on plaquenil about 15 months. My understanding is that at first sign of ANY change in retinas he wants to catch it on the front end. My rheumy also recommended every 6 months on the eyes.

Part of that may be related to teh looong list of allergies and intolerances and adverse reactions to medications also, in my situation.