Hi everyone,

I have had my RSD for almost two years now, and last friday my vision was extemely decreased for more than 24 + hours. It finally seemed more like normal yesterday. It was like looking through a glass of water. Has anyone had any visual disturbances from RSD. I am also concerned that it may have been effected by one or more of the meds I take.

jclg

hello jclg,

Do you have any other conditions along with the RSD?

I have repetitive strain/thoracic outlet syndrome and during the worst of my symptoms my eyes/ vision did some odd things.

very watery on one side, astigmatism increased, increased blurry vision at times of increased symptoms.

I should have mentioned that I saw a General Ophthalmologist the following day (Sat. morning) He said that I had a Vitreous Hemorrhage (blood in the center gel part of the eye) I then went to Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, and two doctors there said they saw no hemorrhage. But they did see White blood cells in the other eye. I am now scheduled to see a retina doc. tomorrow. I worked in the ophthalmology field for 25 years. So I understand greatly about the eyes, I don't know anything about RSD and the eyes though. And no one else (docs) does. I am not diabetic, No hypertension, no thyroid condition, I [B](think) I am pretty healthy except for the RSD.
Any help or info is appreciated. I would like to be as knowledgeable about this as I can be when I see the specialist tomorrow.

Thanks so much

jclg

Dear jclg -

Just looking over 7 pages of Pubmed hits on Pynogebol, a French maritime-pine-bark extract, I came across the following a few moments ago:

Treatment of vascular retinopathies with Pycnogenol. Phytother Res. 2001 May;15(3):219-23.

Spadea L, Balestrazzi E.

The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of Pycnogenol on the progression of diabetic retinopathy and other vascular retinal disorders. The study consisted of a double-blind phase in which 20 patients were recruited and randomly treated with placebo or Pycnogenol (50 mg x 3/day for 2 months) and an open phase in which another 20 patients were treated with Pycnogenol at the same dose schedule. In total, 40 patients with diabetes, atherosclerosis and other vascular diseases involving the retina were enrolled; 30 of them were treated with Pycnogenol and 10 with placebo. The results demonstrated a beneficial effect of Pycnogenol on the progression of retinopathy. Without any treatment (placebo) the retinopathy progressively worsened during the trial and the visual acuity significantly decreased; on the contrary, the Pycnogenol-treated patients showed no deterioration of retinal function and a significant recovery of visual acuity was also obtained. The fluorangiography showed an improvement of retinal vascularization and a reduced endothelial permeability and leakage in the Pycnogenol, but not in the placebo-treated, patients. The ophthalmoscopy and the electroretinogram (ERG) also confirmed the beneficial effects of Pycnogenol. The mechanism of action of Pycnogenol may be related to its free radical (FR) scavenging, anti-inflammatory and capillary protective activities. It has been suggested that Pycnogenol may bind to the blood vessel wall proteins and mucopolysaccharides and produce a capillary 'sealing' effect, leading to a reduced capillary permeability and oedema formation. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

I don't know this journal from Adam, but figure if you are seeing the retinal specialist tomorrow, it couldn't hurt to ask about the stuff.

Mike

There is a small article about Pycnogenol on page 70 of the current issue of Newsweek. According to the article 150 mg daily for four weeks helped repair blood vessels. Regards, Lil

While you're at it, check this out from Tuesday's [10.31.06] N.T. Times science section:

The Trouble With Photons

Photoreceptor cells in the retina are bombarded with photons — their job, after all, is to convert light to signals that the brain can understand.

But this constant rain of photons causes problems, too. Photoreceptor cells are highly oxygenated, and the combination of high oxidation and all those photons produces peroxides and other reactive oxygen intermediates, or R.O.I.’s, which can cause the cells to die. These intermediate compounds have been suspected in certain eye diseases, including macular degeneration.

What if there was a substance that could be put into the eye to consume these R.O.I.’s? Junping Chen of the University of Oklahoma and colleagues have found a candidate, from the automotive and jewelry industries.

The substance, they report in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, is cerium oxide, tiny particles of which are made from the rare-earth element cerium. Known as nanoceria particles, they are currently used in the catalytic converters that are part of automobile exhaust systems and in jewelry polishing.

The researchers incubated rat retinal cells with the particles and found that they prevented increased production of R.O.I.’s. They also injected the particles into the retinas of albino rats with damaged photoreceptors and found that they helped prevent loss of vision.

The researchers say that they are not sure exactly why nanoceria particles scavenge R.O.I.’s but that with more research they may prove useful in treating eye diseases involving photoreceptor damage. And since R.O.I.’s are thought to be partly responsible for other degenerative diseases including diabetes, the researchers suggest that nanoceria particles should be investigated for use in treating those diseases as well.

[http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/sc...l?ref=science]

Blurred vision can also be explained by having dry eyes due to allergies & especially due to alot of the medications that we take. I also have Sjogren's Syndrome & dry eyes is one of the first symptoms you have with this syndrome. It sucks cause even though my eyes are dry they water constantly, but the consistancy of my tears are BAD. They are not of the correct makeup of fluids so as to be lubricating naturally. This can cause what my Opthamologist called "stippling" a roughness in the corneal covering.

I love to read, but some days I cannot do this, because I just cannot see well enough to read. I do see that you are following up on your problem & right on top of it, I only answered as I thought perhaps this could be what might cause some others eye dryness. Even if the cause is from taking medications etc or like for me having Sjogren's SYndrome, everyone should follow up by seeing their opthamologist. This visit is covered by Medicare as long as it is not just for an eye exam so as to get glasses etc.

Good luck,
DebbyV[/LIST]

I saw this topic and thought I would share with all of you my experience with an Opthamologist 3 weeks ago. I have not been to the eye clinic in a long time and my eyes are gradually getting worse, so I decided it was time for another check up. He did say I had irreversible nerve damage and felt like it was from the RSD. I don't know if any of you have ever had this told to you, but would love to hear from you all.


I am an "old timer" from back in 99-2000 and haven't been on the board in a very long time, too long actually. I hope to get to know all of you soon.

Take Care and have a great day!
Janet

Hi can you tell me if you are really there

Some medications can cause this too. I think that Lyrica is a big offender. Hopefully Mrs. D. will check in and lend her expertise. I have been waiting to go to the eye doctor hoping that I will be able to get off this drug after my SCS implant this week, but now I am kind of worried!!