Vision Problem - ?Plaquenil

I'm 47 yrs old. The visual acuity in my left eye has markedly decreased from 20/25 to 20/200-400. I started taking Plaquenil in mid-Oct/08.
The vision in my left eye is now much worse than BEFORE I had laser eye correction in 2006. In other words, the left eye is now worse than it was WITHOUT glasses! But no Plaquenil toxicity per eye exam.

How did I find this out? I saw the ophthalmologist recently for Plaquenil screening, who said there is no evidence of toxicity. The first individual who tested my vision said the left eye is 20/400; the physician said it's 20/200 or worse, depending on the day.

Here's the back story:
Due to nearsightedness, I had successful laser eye correction surgery done in July 2006. I selected monovison, which means the less dominant eye (my left) was slightly under-corrected to prolong the need for reading glasses. I was 44 yrs old in 2006.

My file at the laser eye place states that on August 26/2006, the tests indicated the following post-surgery visual acuity:
Right Eye: 20/20
Left Eye: 20/25

Prior to laser eye correction, my eyeglass Rx was:
Right Eye: -2.50
Left Eye: -2.25
(in the 20/200 range per "Snellen" Chart)

Below, I have copied and pasted "Snellen'' Chart: Reference: http://www.mdsupport.org/library/acuity.html

Snellen---------Estimated Prescription:
20/10-----------Plano (zero)
20/15-----------Plano
20/20-----------Plano to -0.25
20/30.............. -0.50
20/40.............. -0.75
20/50.............. -1.00 to -1.25
20/100............ -1.75 to -2.00
20/200............ -2.00 to -2.50

I told the ophthalmologist that I was very surprised and concerned. At that time, I didn't know what my visual acuity actually had been post-laser eye correction. He didn't ask either, which now I find rather strange. Of course I said that I had had laser eye correction, and had selected monovision.

The ophthalmologist simply stated that the vision in my left eye is extremely poor, but there is no evidence of Plaquenil and my eyes are healthy. Marked visual loss is healthy?

I spoke with two different "office persons" at the place where I had the laser eye correction done, who both said "That's very unusual.'' My LLMD has advised to stop Plaquenil, which I had already done so by instinct.

I also spoke with the "office person" at the ophthalmologist's office, who assured me that my eyes are "healthy" and there is no need to see the eye specialist again, but to go back to the place where I got the laser eye surgery done (they are ophthamologists). I have an appt on June 3rd/09.

If anyone can shine some light on this issue or wants to share their story, please do so. It just doesn't make sense to me that I have marked reduced visual acuity in one eye, yet my eyes are ''healthy.''

Regards,
Cara (aka nickname Carrie)

Lyme meds: Plaquenil 200 mg bid since OCTOBER 2008 plus
Mepron 750 mg bid + Zithromax 250 mg bid mid since Dec/08 (re-treating babs)
-------Started tx for Lyme/Babesiosis effective January 2008-

RD,

I get the same thing. It took years for nearsightedness to be detected on an eye test. Ask about astigmatism (basically, blurry vision)...that was a new one for me a couple years ago, and when I looked it up, it sure fit. So now I have both (probably had the astigmatism before too but it just wasn't picked up on the exam) nearsightedness and astigmatism. And both seemed to me to be worse when I was on Plaquenil but the eye doctors couldn't detect a difference on their tests. I notice my vision fluctuates from day to day also...some days, I can't seem to see much detail on anything beyond arm's reach even with my glasses on, and other days, things seem a whole lot clearer. Street signs are the worst...can't read them until it's too late to turn or do something different...my Husband is so patient with me...we have to turn around a lot sometimes when I'm 'navigator.'

Take care,

Cara -- Have you seen a retina specialist? Sometimes they look a little harder and may actually detect -- something.

I refused plaquenil as since I got this I have too many floaters and flasher to add to it whatever this drug does. Can't risk it.

I started with two floaters and thend they just keep coming and I don't know why. They go away in time, but it can take a very long time.

Vitamin A supplementation may fix the dry eye... Most MD's give immunosuppressant eye drops for this or have you put petroleum jelly-based eye ointment in your eye, neither of which is healthy. I prefer homeopathic eye drops I get at the health food store - Boiron Optique 1 eye drops. I use a couple drops per eye and I'm good for days or even weeks. The lubricant eye drops I had been using before discovering the homeopathic drops only lasted a few hours at best.

Vitamin C is necessary for the lens of the eye to keep its flexability (which enables near vs. far vision). My suspicion is that the lens material is made of some kind of connective tissue, which would explain why Lyme would go after it. The other eye issue with Lyme is that the Lyme can go after the optic nerve. This may cause visual processing problems that would not be detected on a physical eye exam necessarily...and can also lead to sudden blindness. Vitamin B12 is needed to repair the mylan sheath that protects the nerves.

No guarantees these nutrients or eye drops will help, but I share this info in case it does prove helpful to someone...

Take care,