Does anyone have side effects, like eye damage, from Ethambutol?

@grgpc
Greg what did the opthomologist tell you was causing the eye glare? Was it toxicity of the ethambutol?
I have had a glare for the past 4 months. Optometrist doesn’t see any reason for it. Field vision test is ok.

@sueinmn This is very reassuring, as I am about to see an opthalmologist tomorrow for a pre-treatment visit. It is terrifying to consider the side effects as I too use my eyes intensively for my legal work—and my voice and ears, etc.

I took Ethambutol along with Rifampin and Clofazimine for 15 months and my eyes are still OK. My ophthalmologist suggested I get a Snell vision eye chart from Amazon and check my vision at home on a regular basis.

I stopped talking Ethambutol after 10 months, negative for for optic neuropathy,, just dry eyes, my vision is improving , the blurriness is gone, continue with my eye drops, hopefully I don’t get MAC again.

@arkie01 Hi, yes the doctor described it as optic nerve damage due to the Ethambutol. I stopped taking the Ethambutol and saw a total of three ophthalmologists. After about 4 months my vision in my left eye started to get better. By August my vision was back to normal. The doctor said I was lucky since I'm 66 years old. My ID doctor did not replace that antibiotic with something else. He just kept me on the azithromycin, rifampin and arikace.

@grgpc thank you very much for info and for taking the time to answer. I very much appreciate the help.

I am getting a second eye check up today and a little concerned. I have noticed some changes. Is anyone dealing with painful joints and back pain while taking the big 3? Some days are pretty rough.
T-

I am legally blind and have peripheral neuropathy, numbness in feet and legs, caused by ethambutol. Both vision and numbness got worse after I discontinued ethambutol. In my case, vision changes were very subtle and hard for me to detect. See an ophthalmologist immediately. Ask your doctor if you can discontinue ethambutol if there is any delay in seeing the ophthalmologist. Warning. Not all ophthalmologists are good at detecting EON, ethambutol induced optic neuropathy. The first one I saw misdiagnosed my vision issues. I actually took myself off ethambutol, but it was too late.

@paxmundi
Hello, can you help me find a top pulmonologist in Los Angeles or anywhere in California? Particularly one specializing in bronchiectasis and MAC ?

Thanks for any help you can give me.
GinaY

I guess you didn’t see my comment. Barbara was mistaken. I know no one in LA. So sorry!