Blurred vision

I believe that’s what I’m experiencing. But, I’ve also had cataract surgery in August and surgery to correct double vision in October, so it may be that my eyes are still adjusting.

Debrat, Thanks for getting back to me. Please let me know how it’s how you do with that.

I will. I see the eye doctor in January. How long have you been on the meds? (Rifampin, Ethambutol, Azithromiacin?) I started October 17th. First month was rough but I now take all of them with food and I’m doing okay.

It is vitally important for you to seek advice from an opthamologist/optician as soon as possible. I had to stop taking Ethambutol due to visual disturbances.

I’ve been on azithromycin and ethambutol since February 2022. I started Arikayce in May 2023. I have been experiencing fluctuating blurred vision for quite some time. Some days are worse than others. My ophthalmologist which I have seen three times for this problem says everything is fine and I am able to read the eye chart but my ability to read street signs and billboards is greatly diminished. The eye doctor mentioned it MAY BE dry eye. Anyway, this week with the approval of my pulmonologist I took myself off of the ethambutol. I have very mixed feelings about that because on one hand I think the ethambutol is important for my treatment and at the same time I feel like I can’t take chances with my vision. I’m just wondering if anyone else has experienced the same.

Ethambutol side effects include vision in 5% of patients. Usually color blindness. In most cases, it is reversed by discontinuing it.

I’ve been on ethambutol since last Jan. I have also complained about blurred vision and two different eye docs said it was dry eye or start of a cataract. I tried the eye drops for dry eye and it only made my eyes burn… looking forward to hopefully getting off this stuff in May! Just hoping eyes get better then, right now my eyes are getting checked monthly so I feel like I’m in good hands. I am also on azithromycin, I try to think of the good these meds are doing and not dwell on the side effects too much.

Thanks rbl. That’s exactly what they told me. It’s good to hear from people who are having the same issues and great that you’re getting checked monthly. Good luck in ‘24 with discontinuing the medicine and with healthy eyes!

I was on the big three for 9 months and then after 3 failed field vision eye tests my dr took me off ethambutol. After 4 months off ethambutol I could pass the test. I am fine as long as I stay off Ethambutol. In place of it my dr put me on Arikace nebulizer.

I had ethambutol / rifampin/isoniazid for 6 months. Ethambutol stopped because of blurred vision in left eye. It was replaced by Ciprofloxacin which not only made my vision worse it totally destroyed me leaving me disabled. They try to call it drug induced lupus, but it’s not its FLUROQUINOLONE TOXICITY SYNDROME and it’s a killer. My vision remains blurry like the others can read ok but road signs and things like that are all fuzzy.
I’ve been off all antibiotics now 12 months and don’t intend having any more. I still have MAC after 18 months of different antibiotic treatments.