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Medical Forum / General / Vision / February 2005Undiagnosed blind spots
Hello list, I've been reading through and there seem to be a lot of helpful people here. I'm having some vision problems that the doctors cant figure out and Im hoping some of you might make some suggestions. I have been to a few doctors and a few specialists and so far noone is able to identify my problem. I'm a 29 year old male, non smoker. Around 5 years ago I notice two small blind spots in my right eye, just above and on the outsides of the focal point. Unfortunately I did not go to see a doctor about it at the time. Since then I think the spots have increased in size. I say "I think" because they are difficult to 'map', especially over time. I notice them more often now, and it feels as if someone is blocking part of my vision, but the other eye is compensating. I have also found a smaller blind spot just above and to the right of my left eye's focal point. This spot is new to me, but I may have just missed it in the past since it is so small. Last year I went to an optician and mentioned the blind spots. They performed a visual field test and sent me to an Opthamologist, the Opthamologist performed an array of tests and sent me to a Neuro-Opthamaologist. The N.O. also performed a range of tests and had an MRI done, which came out negative. So far none of the doctors has been able to tell me what is causing these spots and why they seem to be worsening. My symptoms are: -Right Eye: Blind spot just above and to the left of the focal point. -Right Eye: Blind spot just above and to the right of the focal point. -Left Eye: Small blind spot just above and to the right of the focal point. -Pain above/behind the eyes, it hurts more if I look to the exreme right or left. -Almost constant ringing in my ears -Mild headaches, a few times per month, usually lasting several hours. -Infrequent dizzyness, a couple of times per year I experience dizziness and lose my balance for a short period of time. I'm in the process of visiting a second set of doctors and specialists to get second opinions, but so far they don't know what is wrong. If anyone has any suggestions that I could pursue or questions that you recommend I ask my doctor it would be appreciated. Thanks I'm not a doctor, but I've gone through a lot of trauma in trying to get vision loss diagnosed. First off, have you seen a glaucoma specialist? If I were you, I'd see both a glaucoma specialist, in case it is an optic nerve problem, and a retina specialist, in case it is the retina, and I'd probably want to see another neurologist. Don't make the mistake I did and stay with a group of doctors all saying they didn't find anything wrong, while I was losing more vision. If I had gotten third opinions and maybe fourth opinions, I might have been diagnosed and treated before losing significant vision. Many if not most kinds of vision loss are permanent and progressive, so you need to have someone diagnose you as soon as possible. Do some searching and see if any of the top rated ophthalmology hospitals are in your area, and if you have to pay to see a specialist yourself, it's worth it if it saves your sight. -Gudrun > Hello list, > [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] > > Thanks > Hello list, > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Thanks You give a great description of your symptoms which makes it easier to help. I'm thinking of a neurological problem, such as multiple sclerosis. I'm sure the neuro-ophtal would have had this type of thing in mind but for some reason it didn't show up in the testing. I'd go back for review, or if you want to, seek a second opinion. The other condition I thought of is central serous retinopathy, especially if you lead a high-stress lifestyle. However I certainly don't think this is as likely as a neuro type problem. Let us know how you get on. Dom PLEASE READ AND REREAD CAREFULLY WHAT THIS POOR GUY TELLS US. INDEED THE SCIENCE OF MEDICAL OPHTHALMOLOGY HAS NOT DONE SO MUCH DOWN THE ROAD IN THESE HUNDRED OF YEARS. JUST PRESCRIPTION OF GLASSES AND OTHER INVASIVE TREATMENTS BASED EITHER ON DRUG OR ON LASER CUTTINGS. NOW THIS POOR FELLOW. IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT HIS SYMPTOMS ARE 100% MENTAL. HE SHOULD BE TRAINED INTO REST METHODS. http://TheCentralFixation.com > Hello list, > [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] > > Thanks I must first point out that I am not a health professional. I have had some similar symptoms, > Hello list, > [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > been able to tell me what is causing these spots and why they seem to > be worsening. You do not say how big the spots are or whether they are permanent or transient. If you are trying to read, do they block out part of a letter or a period? What size? Have you had the field test in which there are flashing lights and you push a button when you see a flash? Tthe test may not catch very small spots. > My symptoms are: > > -Right Eye: Blind spot just above and to the left of the focal point. *Focal point* is not the correct term. *Fovea*, *center of vision*, or even *macula* might be more appropriate. > -Right Eye: Blind spot just above and to the right of the focal point. > -Left Eye: Small blind spot just above and to the right of the focal [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Thanks Certainly, the panoply of symptoms indicates something more complicated than isolated scotomas. If these symptoms are related, you need reall professional help. As for me, I had small transient scotomas near my fovea of various sizes and blackness. Sometimes they would block out a period or an a in a book. I now attribute it to ocular migraine. I had no headache so I lucked out that way. In addition to the scotomas, from time to time, I got the scintillations associated with migraine auras. Although that may not be your problem, bring it up as something for the pros to consider. Bill > I must first point out that I am not a health professional. I have had some > similar symptoms, REALLY??? > You do not say how big the spots are or whether they are permanent or > transient. If you are trying to read, do they block out part of a letter or > a period? What size? Have you had the field test in which there are flashing > lights and you push a button when you see a flash? Tthe test may not catch > very small spots. There is no need to know how big the spots are: it is very clear they are produced into the mind by means of the imagination. > *Focal point* is not the correct term. *Fovea*, *center of vision*, or even > *macula* might be more appropriate. Everything is not appropriate given the wrong foundation of this science! > Certainly, the panoply of symptoms indicates something more complicated than > isolated scotomas. If these symptoms are related, you need reall > professional help. Go to the professionals, and continue to be cheated by them!!! > As for me, I had small transient scotomas near my fovea of various sizes and > blackness. Sometimes they would block out a period or an a in a book. I now [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Bill He has gone to plenty of professionals who have simply robbed him of his money. What has he to do more? > Hello list, > [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] > > Thanks I would consider that any patient who has sustained and repeatable field loss along with retro-orbital pain that is made worse on extreme case may have optic neuritis until proven otherwise. Optic neuritis can present with central as well as peripheral visual field loss. DrG Hello, Original Poster here... lost my password :) Im going to try and answer all of the posts in one shot. I haven't seen a glaucoma specialist, but I have seen a retinal specialist and a neuro specialist (Wills Eye in PHL). I will try to seek out a glaucoma specialist just to get their opinion. The neuro I saw was at Wills Eye, which I have been told is a very good hospital, so I am hoping that they would have considered MS, if I keep coming up empty handed I will try to get some focus (bad pun not intended) on that. At reading distance (~18-24") each spot obscures a circlular area roughly 1.5" in diameter (on the text). I've had two visual field tests. My blind spots are stationary and consistent, they do not move or flash. They are dull grey areas with no detail or shading/color. Thanks for the tips on terminology, that will help in describing my problem. DrG, would the orbital pain need to be chronic in order to be considered a related sympton? The pain is not constant, and I do read books and computers at work and home, this could just be occasional eye strain I imagine. The tinnitus and blind spots are always present, the other symptoms may be nothing (hypochondria :), dunno. I usually mention them to the doctor but they dont seem to concerned about it. I am probably going to contact my PCP regarding a Lyme disease test. I spend enough time outdoors in heavily wooded areas to warrant at least a quick test for Lyme. Thanks again for all of your responses. > Hello, Original Poster here... lost my password :) > [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > > Thanks again for all of your responses. The old saw about optic neuritis is that the patient sees nothing and the doctor sees nothing. One symptom is retro-orbital pain and pain upon extreme gaze, i.e. right or left eye movement, because this causes stretching and movement of the optic nerve. Typically it is self-limiting. Your suggestion about Lyme disease is a good one. DrG The only true cure is by rest methods, in particular sun-gazing and palming. http://TheCentralFixation.com |
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