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The Daily Insight

Can gilenya cause blindness?

Author

Owen Barnes

Updated on May 21, 2026

Can gilenya cause blindness?

This can last up to two months after you stop taking fingolimod. Macular edema. With this condition, fluid builds up in the macula, which is part of the eye’s retina. Symptoms can include blurry vision, a blind spot, and seeing unusual colors.

What medications cause eye problems?

Certain classes of drugs are known to cause eye problems. These include diuretics (water pills), antihistamines, antidepressants, drugs that lower cholesterol, beta-blockers and birth control pills. “Antihistamines often cause a very significant dry-eye syndrome,” Andreoli says.

What are the vision problems associated with MS?

The symptoms can include blurred vision, double vision (diplopia), optic neuritis, involuntary rapid eye movement and occasionally, a total loss of sight. Problems with vision can result from damage to the optic nerve or from a lack of coordination in the eye muscles. The optic nerve connects the eye to the brain.

How long do MS vision problems last?

It’s rare to get this condition in both eyes at once. Vision loss tends to get worse for a few days before it gets better. The inflammation could last anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks.

Does MS affect peripheral vision?

MS can cause damage to the nerves that control the muscles that allow eye movement. When this happens, eye movements are no longer coordinated, and diplopia or double vision occurs, according to the NMSS. This may cause you to see two side-by-side images or one image on top of another.

What is MS eye pain like?

Most people who develop optic neuritis have eye pain that’s worsened by eye movement. Sometimes the pain feels like a dull ache behind the eye. Vision loss in one eye. Most people have at least some temporary reduction in vision, but the extent of loss varies.

Can MS be detected by eye exam?

As optic neuritis is the presenting sign of MS in up to 30 percent of patients, the eye exam can lead to the initial systemic diagnosis.

Can antidepressants cause vision problems?

Overview. Blurred vision is a possible antidepressant side effect in which a person becomes unable to see clearly. This has been described in many ways, but most commonly is described as a lack of “sharpness” and clearness to a person’s vision.

What medications can cause eye floaters?

Floaters and other visual disturbances. Medications linked to visual disturbances include Benadryl (for allergies), Cardizem (heart disease), Elavil (depression) and Xanax (anxiety).

Can MS be diagnosed with an eye exam?

Does blurry vision come and go with MS?

For individuals with MS, vision problems may come and go. They may affect just one eye or both. The problems may grow worse and then disappear, or they may stick around.

Can Gilenya cause vision problems?

In clinical studies of people with multiple sclerosis (MS), 4% of people who took Gilenya reported blurry vision as a side effect. This was compared to 2% of people who took a placebo (no treatment). Eye problems may also be a symptom of rare but serious side effects related to Gilenya use.

Is there a generic version of Gilenya?

Gilenya is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form. Gilenya contains the active drug fingolimod. Gilenya can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Gilenya. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

What kind of skin cancer does Gilenya treat?

This type of cancer usually looks like sores or red patches on your skin. Melanoma often develops in moles, which can change in shape, size, or color as the cancer grows. In clinical studies of people with MS, 2% of people who took Gilenya developed basal cell carcinoma.

Is Gilenya safe for children?

The safety in children 10 years of age and older receiving GILENYA was similar to that seen in adults The rate of seizures was higher in GILENYA-treated patients compared to that of a leading injectable GILENYA may harm your unborn baby, so talk with your health care professional if you become or plan to become pregnant.