eye exams

[Curly]

What kind of eye Dr do you all see on while on Plaquenil? A regualr eye dr or an opthamologist? does it matter? My eye Dr said he is very familair with plaquenil and side effects so i don't know if I really need an MD. Curly

[jhmom]

Hello :hello:

I was referred to an opthamologist for my test. My doc not only does a regular eye exam but also a "visual field test" with a special machine to check my peripheral vision. None of the regular eye docs in my area had this equipment.

Take care :flowers:

[Tylers Nana]

Hi Curly,

I just went to my eye dr. last week for the first time due to being put on plaquenil. Like Stacie, I also went to an opthamologist. My rheumy wanted me to go to an opthamologist. My dr. also did the "visual field test" with the machine. I think that test is very important for us to have. Having that test done on a regular basis will tell the dr. if something is changing with our eyes. I could be wrong but that was my understanding. He also did a lot of the other testing such as vision, dry eyes, etc. I hope this is helpful.

The "visual field test" is where they use a machine and you cover one eye and look into this machine and watch for tiny flashes of lights. When you see a light flash you press a button. You stare straight ahead and focus straight ahead and this tests your peripheral vision. This is very important to have done. My dr. also gave me a little black card with white dots on it to check my peripheral vision myself at home inbetween my 6 months visits.

Janice

[Curly]

Thanks all. My regular eye Dr did the visual field test (he is very thourough). I just want to make sure that I ma not missing something. he seemed to know all about lupus and plaquenil and side effects etc. Curly

[Lily]

My Opthamologist goes by the guidelines that Clare posted recently in that web site link. He tests my vision with the chart, he looks at my eyes thoroughly with the scope and split lamp exam (think he does that mainly because I had a bad dryness problem before and he's thorough :D ) he gives me the Amsler grid so I can check at home between appt. (thats the card that Janice mentioned) and then he does the visual field test.

One interesting thing he told me can show up is that if you look at a red object and the tone of the red changes over time that can be a warning sign........if its not as brilliant red as it was then time for another check up.

love
Lily

[fly-by]

Lily,

Do we see the same opthalmologist??... :hehe:

I hadn't even noticed the color (red) difference until the doc showed me...and at the time it was only effecting the left eye, but the same red object looked orange :shrug:
All of this however took place before I was dx'd and placed on meds. But then again my first symptom was optic neuritis :wacko:

[Lily]

:lol: Well maybe!............. is your kinda cute ;) :lol:

Interesting about your optic neuritis and the red variation. So far I havent noticed any difference and hope I don't. I guess it's another way of warning us of a problem.

love
Lily