So I saw my endocrinologist on Tuesday and one of the concerns I brought up to her was my vision. I was wondering if anyone else notices they get blurry vision after taking their steroids? I'm on a slow taper of 20mg total hydrocortisone currently(15mg at 5am, 5mg at 3pm because this is when our body naturally produces cortisol?) I've been on steroids now for almost 2 1/2 years. Anyway, this is not a new level dose for me and it's keeping withdrawl symptoms at bay which I like but the vision is a bit disconcerting. My cortisol levels are at 0.2 but the doctor says that it's promising my adrenal gland will wake up within a year. (keeping fingers crossed) However, she suggested that my blurry vision could be related to blood sugars. However, I do periodically check them and they're not out of whack in the least. I also notice that the blurry vision only lasts for 2 hours about an hour after taking the steroids. So logically, I'd think there was a corrilation. I just had my eyes checked in May too (for my lisence renewal) and I was told I've got 20/20 vision so I'm confused. Am I the lone weirdo?

Before i got sick and now when its later at night i cant seem to focus, eye fatigue i think is what its called. When i was on the steroids thought i gave up reading because it had gotten so much worse.

My ophthalmologist told me that long term steroid use can cause increased pressures in the eye and that a simple test can be done to check intra ocular pressure. He said that too many doctors overlook this particular side effect from steroid use. You might have your eyes checked, if this is what is causing your blurry vision there are medicines to treat it.

Thanks! I'm due for a visit with my ophthamologist so I'll be sure to bring that up!
I would give up on reading if I wasn't still in school! haha This semester alone I have 6 novels, and 3 textbooks I more or less need to read in completion. So the blurry vision def makes the process even more of a pain!

It is very important for anyone with long-term steroid use to have their eyes checked at least annually by an opthamologist (MD) and not just an optomotrist (checks your prescription and fits you for contacts and glasses, etc.) Steroids can increase your risk for glaucoma (the increased pressure) and cataracts so eyes should be evaluated by an MD and steroid use be told to them so they especially know what to look for. I have be on and off of steroids for 18 years so insist upon an opthamologist and my vision insurance tries to sneak me in with the optomotrist (less training - i.e. cheaper) instead, but I tell them I have a medical necessity and thankfully my vision insurance does cover this. However if yours does not, most medical insurance will cover this due to steroid use, especially if you are having any symptoms. I do get blurry eyes, however I have slight astigmatism so could be that.... I just had my eyes checked this month and no cataracts or glaucoma - yea! Definitley bring that up to your eye doctor though. Good luck!