Vision Problems After RAI Treatment

stelles
stelles Member Posts: 5
in Thyroid Cancer #1
I had RAI treatment in November after a total thyroidectomy in August for thyroid cancer. I have had vision problems ever since the RAI treatment. Is it related? Has anyone else experienced this? It is terrible -- I saw an optometrist, who said it is an "autoimmune problem" but offered no solutions. If anyone has information, I'd appreciate it!
My vision gets blurry whenever I try to focus on something, either at close range or distance. I am an English Professor! How can I work if I can't read? Reading has been one of the most important things in my life!

Comments

  • alapah
    alapah Member Posts: 287
    #2
    burry vision
    I have had various degrees of blurry vision since I had my TT and RAI (I have had other treatments as well). I never had vision problems before but now wear dime store magnifiers to read most of the time - 1.25 or 1.5 power. My eye doc says I still have 20-20 vision but he didn't seem to think the need for the reading glasses was anything to worry about. I recently found out that one of the meds I am taking for lung mets also has a side effect of blurred vision, so now I seem to have it worse.

    When I was hypo right before the RAI, my vision was really awful - as though my eyes could not track together. I'd get double vision, especially if I were to try to glance left or right, as to prepare to cross a street. If i turned my entire head to face right or left, I had a much better chance of not going double.

    I don't really have an explanation, but wanted to add that I have had a similar experience.
    eileen
  • sunnyaz
    sunnyaz Member Posts: 582
    #3
    Vision Problems
    Vision problems was one of the indicators of my Thyroid cancer. I was better than 20/20 vision all of my life until I started having symptoms of cancer. I started with "cheater readers" and now I am wearing full prescription glasses all of the time. I can't read up close but I can see far away. If I try to read up close I get a stabbing pain in my head and all the words run together. This has been a real adjustment for me having to wear glasses for the past couple of years. I am just not used to them and I hate the way they look on me.

    If glasses can't correct your problem maybe see someone about laser eye surgery. I hear they are making major strides in vision correction.

    Blessings,
    Julie-SunnyAZ
  • stelles
    stelles Member Posts: 5
    #4
    alapah said:

    burry vision
    I have had various degrees of blurry vision since I had my TT and RAI (I have had other treatments as well). I never had vision problems before but now wear dime store magnifiers to read most of the time - 1.25 or 1.5 power. My eye doc says I still have 20-20 vision but he didn't seem to think the need for the reading glasses was anything to worry about. I recently found out that one of the meds I am taking for lung mets also has a side effect of blurred vision, so now I seem to have it worse.

    When I was hypo right before the RAI, my vision was really awful - as though my eyes could not track together. I'd get double vision, especially if I were to try to glance left or right, as to prepare to cross a street. If i turned my entire head to face right or left, I had a much better chance of not going double.

    I don't really have an explanation, but wanted to add that I have had a similar experience.
    eileen

    Vision
    I've worn glasses for years (trifocals) and have tried readers; they do help somewhat. It helps to know that someone else has had similar experiences. At least I'm not losing my mind on top of everything else! Thanks!
  • stelles
    stelles Member Posts: 5
    #5
    alapah said:

    burry vision
    I have had various degrees of blurry vision since I had my TT and RAI (I have had other treatments as well). I never had vision problems before but now wear dime store magnifiers to read most of the time - 1.25 or 1.5 power. My eye doc says I still have 20-20 vision but he didn't seem to think the need for the reading glasses was anything to worry about. I recently found out that one of the meds I am taking for lung mets also has a side effect of blurred vision, so now I seem to have it worse.

    When I was hypo right before the RAI, my vision was really awful - as though my eyes could not track together. I'd get double vision, especially if I were to try to glance left or right, as to prepare to cross a street. If i turned my entire head to face right or left, I had a much better chance of not going double.

    I don't really have an explanation, but wanted to add that I have had a similar experience.
    eileen

    Vision
    I've worn glasses for years (trifocals) and have tried readers; they do help somewhat. It helps to know that someone else has had similar experiences. At least I'm not losing my mind on top of everything else! Thanks!
  • stelles
    stelles Member Posts: 5
    #6
    sunnyaz said:

    Vision Problems
    Vision problems was one of the indicators of my Thyroid cancer. I was better than 20/20 vision all of my life until I started having symptoms of cancer. I started with "cheater readers" and now I am wearing full prescription glasses all of the time. I can't read up close but I can see far away. If I try to read up close I get a stabbing pain in my head and all the words run together. This has been a real adjustment for me having to wear glasses for the past couple of years. I am just not used to them and I hate the way they look on me.

    If glasses can't correct your problem maybe see someone about laser eye surgery. I hear they are making major strides in vision correction.

    Blessings,
    Julie-SunnyAZ

    vision problems
    Interesting information. I've worn glasses for many years, but I'm not accustomed to having blurry vision when I am wearing them. That's calling for a real adjustment. I'm not sure about the laser eye surgery, but it does help to know that there is a link for others, too. Thanks and wishing you better days!

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