I was at the ophthalmologist for a check up yesterday. The last time I visited was two years ago, and everything was fine. We had a long conversation about my meds, including the ones that I no longer take – I was impressed by his knowledge. Very reassuring. We also discussed the dry eyes issue, which he said was a PsA “thing”, and he gave me samples of some new drops to try. At the end of the consult, I said I’d see him in two years. His response was “No, with what you have, I’d like to see you every year.”
Have you seen your ophthalmologist in the last year or two? No? Go make an appointment right now or Aunt Seenie is going to pester you about it. LOL
I go every year for an eye exam. I need to go back, though, as my vision seems a lot worse than it was in January when I got a new prescription. But I enjoy seeing my eye doctor as she's very understanding about my disease--mostly because she was diagnosed with RA around the time I got my PsA diagnosis. Plus we share a fondness for our rheumatologist. Between the shifting prescription and near-perpetually dry eyes I know well enough to keep on top of my vision care.
MAKE SURE (in the USA) unless you have specific vision coverage, that they properly code your visit or have the refraction done seperatly. Your regular insurance will cover it and your copay is all you pay, but if they think you are getting glasses, they won't cover.
That's right, lamb. I always have to remind them to code it a routine eye exam.
Seenie, it is important to go once a year. I've had so much trouble that I've gone extra times in-between. My right eye has a scratched retina, I can't remember off hand what they call it. Both eyes have vitreous detachment, which is annoying, and at first it was unnerving because there were these sudden flashes of light in my peripheral vision. I thought my retina was detaching! Oh, I remember, the scratch is called lattice something. Don't want to be careless when it comes to eye health!
An optician (we call them optometrists) is the person who measures and fits eyeglasses. They also check for eye health, and if they see something concerning, they will send you on to an opthalmologist, who is an medical doctor specializing in eyes.
Where I live, a regular exam with an optometrist is covered by our health plan. A checkup with an opthalmologist isn’t, unless you have certain risk factors. Apparently, PsA counts.
I have been going to my ophthalmologist for many years. With the number and type of medications that I take, I want an MD for my eyes. It was really reassuring to discuss all the arthritis meds I’ve ever taken and see that he clearly knew about each one of them. (His comment on leflunommide was “Nope, wouldn’t be doing that to MY liver!”) I left his office feeling grateful to be in good, expert hands.
Wow, it's unusual for a Dr to say something like that!
Seenie said:
An optician (we call them optometrists) is the person who measures and fits eyeglasses. They also check for eye health, and if they see something concerning, they will send you on to an opthalmologist, who is an medical doctor specializing in eyes.
Where I live, a regular exam with an optometrist is covered by our health plan. A checkup with an opthalmologist isn't, unless you have certain risk factors. Apparently, PsA counts.
I have been going to my ophthalmologist for many years. With the number and type of medications that I take, I want an MD for my eyes. It was really reassuring to discuss all the arthritis meds I've ever taken and see that he clearly knew about each one of them. (His comment on leflunommide was "Nope, wouldn't be doing that to MY liver!") I left his office feeling grateful to be in good, expert hands.
Well, yes, GrandmaJ, he’s a bit of an unusual guy. He’s been at this for (he tells me) 40 years. He only works three days a week. The other four, he is (get this) a farmer. But he always dresses the part – the farmer part. Yesterday it was jeans (OK, they were clean and pressed, but still…) and a plaid shirt. His tanned and leathery face was sporting stubble. He looks and talks just like the guys down at the farmers’ market. LOL No pretense, no affectations. But he is experienced and he knows his doctorin’! Gotta love the guy.
Grandma J said:
Wow, it’s unusual for a Dr to say something like that!
I got twice a year, guaranteed. I had been going this frequently because I was on plaquenil, but I've had some problems with inflammation in my eyes, and have severe dry eye. I use restasis and have both my upper and lower tear ducts plugged. Twice a year ensures that we are on top of everything. It helps that I not only really like my eye doctor, but that his staff is fantastic too! He also knows when he needs to send me on for further testing, as when we needed to definitively rule out plaquenil toxicity.
Great information Seenie, interested to see that we are more prone to conjunctivitis…I’ve had a bout of these infections during the summer. Would have about a week to ten days between them and it drove me nuts when people kept telling me about cross infection! Yes I know its important, but, I train people in infection control don’t you know! I was going beyond normal precautions and it would flare up again.
I just went last month. I was shocked by the visit. First, he was able to explain things to me even my rheumy didn't. He was so kind. He explained what was going on and why. Seems there is slight swelling and floaters. I am going back this week for baseline photos so they can keep an eye on it (no pun intended). At the end he said, you have plenty to worry about. Let me worry about your eyes and I'll tell you when/if you need to start worrying.
While some of us struggle to find a rheumatologist who seems to know what PsA is, low and behold the opthamologists have a specialist called an Occular Immunologist. How do I know this? I just saw one. Went to my regular eye doc a few months back who gave me a handout on eye lid hygiene and told me I was borderline for sjorens.
I thanked him, and decided maybe he was right, and that me waking up with my eyes glued shut was my fault. and the awful sting from time to time was related.
It wasn't. The appointment was made by my secretary. After a lengthy lecture, it turns out I have a related disease in my eyes that is treated with a 60 day course of topical steroids and doxycycline. Thats the good news. The bad news is no MTX for the next 60 days either.
There is a specialist for everything! I've seen a few eye specialists, but never heard of that one. Thankfully, my eye doctor keeps up on his research. At this point I have plugs in both sets of tear ducts, use Restasis, and do eye hygiene. Add in warm eye compresses and lubricant at night and it keeps me somewhat comfortable.
Lots of eye issues to watch for, and even when I'm certain that what I need is a round of steroid drops, I still need the full exam.
There is a specialist for everything! I've seen a few eye specialists, but never heard of that one. Thankfully, my eye doctor keeps up on his research. At this point I have plugs in both sets of tear ducts, use Restasis, and do eye hygiene. Add in warm eye compresses and lubricant at night and it keeps me somewhat comfortable.
Lots of eye issues to watch for, and even when I'm certain that what I need is a round of steroid drops, I still need the full exam.
I see my Ophthalmologist every year and sometimes in between. Especially being on Plaquenil it is very important to have our eyes checked yearly. Great post Aunt Seenie!!!
I found the same Seenie. My ophthalmologist was very knowledgeable about PsA and discussed with me what she would check for with my eyes. I was also impressed with the information she provided as well as the knowledge about meds. I'm glad I have her. My Rheumy wants me back once a year for sure.
Seenie I am glad your appointment went well. I see the ophthalmologist yearly, but lately it has been a lot more due to eye issues. Hopefully I wont be back till next year.