I went to SpecSavers and asked for the Amsler Test that was recomended. He gave it to me but said it was not for people on Hydroxychloloquine but for some other condition. In fact he was quite rude. But I've taken note of the website it is on.
Has anyone on this drug experienced stomach problems? I had this on Leflunomide. Soon as I stopped taking it my stomach returned to normal. I take my Hydro tablets in the morning, I wonder if taking them at another time of day would help. I went to my GP who put me on Mebeverine. It has helped a bit.
Doreen w

I'm not on hydro.......... but it was offered to me last year along with MTX, I decided on MTX.

I did do some research on hydro.... though and I asked my specialist nurse about eye damage. She told me that if I did chose hydro..., I would have to have an eye test before I started on it so they would know how my eyes were. I would then have to have a test every year and would also be given a chart for me to test my eyes at home on a regular basis, to detect any early change in my vision.

She did say that it can (but very rarely) cause irreversible eye damage.

I would, like Sheila said question what your optician's told you.

Paula

You are absolutely right, Rich. This person needs to be hauled over the coals for this one. I have this test every year just to be on the safe side - in fact, my optician recommends it.

hi Doreen,

i can only re-iterate totally what Shelia has said.

when i started Hydroxy last November, i was given a sheet of A4 paper that had the test on it.

it's basically made up of a grid of small squares, with a dot in the middle.

you have to wear your reading glasses and hold the chart about 13 inches away. You should test each eye separately by covering one eye with the palm of your hand.

then there are 4 questions you have to do, i was told monthly,

i have got the test here so will put the questions below :

1. There is a black square at the centre on the square. can you see the spot at the centre, and is it clear..?

2. The smaller squares together make up a complete larger square. while looking all the time at the spot in the centre, can you see the whole of the large square, including the sides and 4 corners..?

3. There should not be any holes, or area's which are missed or blurred. While looking all the time at the spot in the centre. is the grid smaller or smaller squares complete..?

4. While looking all the time at the spot in the centre, are all the lines straight and parallel..? Are all the small squares equal in size, regular and still..?

you do the test about once a month,

i was told it is very rare to get problems but this small test is a must.

hope this information helps.

Suzanne x

Bev, here is the link to the test

http://www.eyesight.org/.../Eye_Test/eye_test.html

Thanks for all your comments.
I forgot to add that when I first went for my eye test the girl had booked me in for a hearing test instead of an eye test, so I had to go back again on another day. Then when I got my glasses they were awful they hurt my eyes. The man said "Oh I know whats wrong with them". So I left them there. Went back for them, tried them again still hurt my eyes. The lady I saw then said they are too strong, you will need to have another eye test and different lenses. Eventually I got my glasses after four weeks. What is it they say on the telly "Should have gone to Spec Savers"? I wont be going there again.
Love to all
Doreen W

Have you seen the most recent advert for spec savers where the middle aged couple get on an aircraft carrier instead of a cruise ship! My son says he could imagine me and Mike, my husband doing that!

Bevxx