Effects of Prednisone on Eyes

Cobweb floaters are usually age related. If they are something new for you, I would suggest a comprehensive eye exam.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eye-floaters/symptoms-causes/syc-20372346
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I can't say PMR or prednisone ever caused me to have floaters or blurred vision but uveitis sure did. I think I have seen every type of floater, light flashes and visual disturbance there is . My blurred vision was like a dense fog that would set in so I couldn't see anything. The dense fog was a late stage of uveitis after all the floaters. I had an autoimmune type of uveitis which was treated with high doses of Prednisone.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/uveitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20378734
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My main side effect from Prednisone that caused an eye problem was early onset cataracts at the age of 40. I have had the same lens implants for 30 years

Ocular hypertension was a problem but I also have thick corneas so I can relate to what @thenazareneshul writes about. My eye pressures were treated when they would get in the 30's and 40's when I was on higher doses of Prednisone. When I was on lower doses of Prednisone my eye pressures stayed in the 20's and were usually not treated. Now that I'm off Prednisone, my eye pressures are normal so less than 20. I had Prednisone induced glaucoma which is improving.
https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/management-of-steroid-induced-glaucoma

@tuckerp
I have a hiatal hernia too that I got from coughing during a bronchitis episode, lol. For years I took Tagamet, then they took me off that and now have me taking Pepcid ac which I get the cheap generic for at Costco.
The best thing I found for an acid stomach or reflux is drinking alkaline water. Water that is purified and the pH is adjusted to +9.5.
I got my daughter switched to that and it is helping with her Crohn’s disease. She still takes her doctor prescribed meds and a biologic (remicade) once a month, but this water doesn’t upset her stomach. Drinking too much regular water creates a more acid environment which is not good for either of us.
One of the best and cheapest you can find at either Costco or Albertsons/vons market (their “signature” brand, make sure it says alkaline on package of 24-16oz bottles). It’s around 6.99/cs of 24- don’t know if you have these stores but you can pretty much find them wherever bottled water is sold. Most stores have there own versions, even Target, but some are a lot pricier.
Anyway, it’s worth a try— I only drink maybe 2 or 3 bottles a day , that’s all I really need for me to stay hydrated, since my one vice is drinking 1 can of Diet Coke a day and caffeine is not good for the stomach! If I’m craving more soda I will drink a caffeine-free variety, but I usually just have the one a day. But it’s the only way I get my caffeine! I’m not a coffee drinker😂😂😂😂!!!
Anyway, Tuckerp , stay well!

What I don't understand is if steroids ruin your eyes at PMR levels given, what will they do to your eyes when given in enormous doses for GCA??????

Thanks for your reply. I send to you my feelings of support. No one knows what PMR and steroids can do to a body. I have been to an ophthalmologist and a retinologist. I have early AMD. Since steroids I have double vision at times and blurred vision at times. Now I have in my right eye cobweb floaters. No one truly understands the pathologies of PMR. I live in pain as you do every day. If anyone else has has experience with ocular disease and PMR-floaters-double vision or blurred vision from PMR and/or oral steroids please send your information.
Take care I feel your pain! I am only on 10mg of Prednisone at this time.

The immediate risk of vision loss from GCA and uveitis outweighs the short term risk of prednisone.

The calculation changes the longer a person is on prednisone. The risks from long term use of prednisone increases with higher doses combined with longer duration. At some point in time, prednisone tends to do more harm than good in my opinion.

Thanks for that, makes sense.

I have been on prednisone for 3 years now. At one point I was up to 60 mg for GCA but I'm down to 3 mg again as I transition to methotrexate. At my last eye exam my optometrist diagnosed me with glaucoma and a cataract in one eye. He said they were caused by all the prednisone. Thankfully, because he caught it so early the drops have eased the pressure and my vision has improved already. He said catching it early is critical so please everyone, get a yearly eye exam!

@sandiw77
What biologic are you on?
I truly hope it works for you and that you can get rid of prednisone for good!

@dadcue
All I know is that my vision is still blurry after my diabetic and vision eye exams and after getting new eyeglasses! They said there’s a period of adjustment with new eyeglasses, some days I see clearly, some days I don’t—very frustrating!

@bostonredsox1945
Hi,
I’m just beginning to realize that some of my eye issues are due to prednisone! Using a warm compress on my eyes when I first get up helps clear out the eye “boogers”. Also the eye doctor told me to use systane lubricant eye drops, which help a little. I have problems doing it 4 times a day, though, and they are not cheap!
You say you have early AMD- did they tell you to use the AREDS2 formula of eye vitamins? These are supposed to slow down the progression of this disease. I use the Bausch and Lomb PreserVision AREDS2 eye vitamin and mineral supplement.
Hope this helps!