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Medical Forum / General / Vision / September 2008Temporary blindness
On Easter 2006, May 2008 and July 2008, I experienced, in both eyes equally, a dimming of vision to blackness and then a return to normal. It was like someone was turning a light dimmer switch to off and then back to full brightness. Each time, the event was over in about 30 seconds. During that time, I experienced a tingly feeling all over, and I wondered if this was the end of me. There were no aftereffects of any kind. Vision, speech, balance, strength, memory, etc. were all normal. Each time, I was seated upright and not under any stress. Before revealing the conflicting diagnoses I got from my GP, neurologist and ophthalmologists, I want your inputs. Thanks, Ray On 9/25/08 7:53 PM, in article 48dc4e99$0$4966$607ed4bc@cv.net, "Ray K" <raykosXXX@optonline.net> wrote: > On Easter 2006, May 2008 and July 2008, I experienced, in both eyes > equally, a dimming of vision to blackness and then a return to normal. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Ray Clearly NOT an eye problem, since both eyes happened at the same time. Bilateral vision loss is central, not related to the eyes. Can't be reduction in blood flow to the eyes alone, since both eye went down at the same time, and right and left eyes get flow from opposite carotid arteries (unless it was at the source of the carotids, in the aortic arch (dissection?). Also, since you got tingly all over, more likely represents a diminution in blood flow to the brain, not the eyes. Since it affected mainly the vision, perhaps it is vertebro-basilar circulation, affecting both occipital cortices at the same time. The ophthalmologist would have little to say, as would the GP. The neurologist, or a vascular surgeon, would be the best source. > On 9/25/08 7:53 PM, in article 48dc4e99$0$4966$607ed4bc@cv.net, "Ray K" > <raykosXXX@optonline.net> wrote: [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > > Thank you, Dr. Robins, for your reply. My diagnoses, in the order received: 1. GP diagnosed it as a transient ischemic attack, and subjected me to a series of nine tests appropriate for that diagnosis: blood tests, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, ultrasound of carotid, pulse volume recording, thallium stress, 24-hour blood pressure monitor, 24-hour Holter monitor, MRI of brain.. Results pretty normal except for cholesterol 263. Main recommendations: take baby aspirin daily, try lowering cholesterol through diet. 2. Neurologist said it was amaurosis fugax. Same recommendations as above. Said if I had another one, to take my blood pressure immediately afterwards, using my home BP monitor. 3. Ophthalmologist #1 said they were both wrong, since both eyes were affected and the duration was so brief. He attributed it to a transient drop in blood pressure, probably caused by a couple of skipped heartbeats. Didn't think any follow-up action required. Did not think I should consult a cardiologist. 4. Ophthalmologist #2 didn't go along with the skipped heart beat explanation, offered no other explanation, but suggested seeing a neuro-ophthalmologist. I have an appointment with one on Sept 29. As an aside, in June 2007 I had a visual event diagnosed as an ocular migraine by ophthalmologist #1 above. In both eyes, vision was clear except it appeared that I was looking through a ring, and the image all around the ring was shimmering. Lasted maybe a minute or so. No explanation for cause and warned that they may occur with increasing frequency. Haven't had one since. I didn't mention it in original post, but I am now age 70. Ray On 9/26/08 6:48 AM, in article 48DCE822.8050801@optonline.net, "Rebel1" >> >> On 9/25/08 7:53 PM, in article 48dc4e99$0$4966$607ed4bc@cv.net, "Ray K" [quoted text clipped - 49 lines] > recommendations: take baby aspirin daily, try lowering cholesterol through > diet TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK TYPICALLY IS LIKE A MINI-STROKE THAT DOES NOT LAST, CAUSED BY POOR CIRCULATION TO THE BRAIN THAT THEN RESOLVES. YOU COULD CALL THE DROP IN BP A TIA, BUT IT REALLY IS A SEPARATE ENTITY. THE TESTS HE DID ORDER ARE NOT FOR TIA, BUT RATHER TO LOOK FOR GENERAL REASONS FOR A BP DROP. THIS IS THE BEST WORKUP LOOKING FOR REASONS FOR SUDDEN DROP IN BLOOD PRESSURE, AS I MENTIONED. IRREGULAR HEARTBEAT IS ONE REASON THAT CAN CAUSE A SUDDEN DROP IN BP. 2. Neurologist said it was amaurosis fugax. Same recommendations as above. Said if I had another one, to take my blood pressure immediately afterwards, using my home BP monitor. > THE NEUROLOGIST IS WRONG, IN MY OPINION. AMAROSIS FUGAX LAST SECONDS, IS > MONOCULAR, CAUSED BY TINY EMBOLI TO THE EYE TYPICALLY FROM THE CARTOID ARTERY. [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > > Ray > Thank you, Dr. Robins, for your reply. My diagnoses, in the order > received: [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > REASONS FOR SUDDEN DROP IN BLOOD PRESSURE, AS I MENTIONED. IRREGULAR > HEARTBEAT IS ONE REASON THAT CAN CAUSE A SUDDEN DROP IN BP. Dr. Robins, I gained peace of mind from your comments on the battery of tests. Since there was a question as to whether I really had TIAs, I was suspicious that the DR was just ordering a bunch of unnecessary tests to cover his a-- or to make extra bucks. Glad that they were appropriate for the symptoms, even if the stated diagnosis was wrong. It turns out that the neuro-op wants to see not just the report of the MRI of the brain, but the actual images. So it's fortunate that I already have what he wants. I'll post back here on the 29th or 30th, with the result of the visit with him. (My ocular migraine might have lasted more than a minute. When things like that happen, especially the first time, it's too frightening to think about timing the event.) Thanks, Ray > > Thank you, Dr. Robins, for your reply. My diagnoses, in the order > > received: [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] > > - Show quoted text - I get migraines with flashing zigzagging lights, temporary partial blindness, trouble thinking, remembering, and fuzzy blur for 3 days after the lights go away. The lights last about 30 to 45 minutes. Once when on herbs, hormones, for hromone balance i got 3 migraines in one hour; lights appear, disappear in 20 minutes then return and start over. I now stay away from hormones (natural progesterone cream) and herbs that affect hormones. I know a man that got migraines ... from contact with the cream on his girlfriends skin. Also avoid; msg in food, potatoe chips..., chinese food. Sulfites, nitrates in red wine, hotdogs, bolona, smoked meat, fruit and other food. chocolate. i no longer get migraines since i avoid these foods, additives. Massage to keep the neck muscles relaxed, vertebrae aligned also helps. > >>> Thank you, Dr. Robins, for your reply. My diagnoses, in the order [quoted text clipped - 61 lines] > helps. > Understand that my ocular migraine is not the same as the typical migraine, which is accompanied by severe headache. I didn't have a headaches during my one episode. Regarding your list of trigger foods, I have been eating a lot of Chinese foods lately (but not at the time of my first episode in 2006). The restaurant says they don't use MSG, but that doesn't mean that it isn't already in sauces from outside suppliers. Thanks for the comments. Ray Chocolate?! I do eat a lot of that. >> Thank you, Dr. Robins, for your reply. My diagnoses, in the order >> received: [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > > Ray Saw the neuro-op today. All of today's tests/evaluations were normal. (Optical nerves ok, peripheral vision, ok, and whatever else he was looking for by peering into my eyes was ok. Eye pressure, 17 and 14. Very early stage cataracts, but much less than most people my age, 70.) He ordered a blood test for the following: CDC and differential with platelet count; Sedimentation rate; C-reactive protein; Anticardiolipin 1gG, 1gM; Lupus anticoagulant (DRVVT) and Homocysteine. He also ordered an MRA of the head, with vertebrobasilar insufficiency the area of concern. Diagnosis code: 368.12. The MRA is scheduled for Wednesday. If the blood tests and MRA are normal, his final test will be an echocardiogram taken internally, by inserting something down my esophagus so it's resting very close to my heart. This is supposed to give information about my heart valves that can't be detected with an external echocardiogram or stethescope. Ray Ray K <raykosXXX@optonline.net> wrote in news:48dc4e99$0$4966 $607ed4bc@cv.net: > On Easter 2006, May 2008 and July 2008, I experienced, in both eyes > equally, a dimming of vision to blackness and then a return to normal. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Ray Gray out prior to syncope?  SignatureScott Reverse name to reply > Gray out prior to syncope? That was my first thought. I'd be thinking cardiologist, but ... I'm not a doctor. I did, however, stay in a Holiday Inn Express a few weeks ago, so.... > Ray K <raykosXXX@optonline.net> wrote in news:48dc4e99$0$4966 > $607ed4bc@cv.net: [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > Gray out prior to syncope? > In my post of 9:48am (under the name of Rebel1), I mentioned that ophthalmologist #1 diagnosed transient low blood pressure, most likely due to a couple of skipped heart beats. It sounds like syncope may be another way of saying the same thing. Ray K |
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