Hi All
Haven't posted here in awhile, but needed to ask a question. Last week I had a tumor removed from my brain and the visual defect that I had originally which the docs all say is related to the brain swelling, is worse after the surgery.
But my question is this, since I've had so many retinal detachments etc in this eye (my GOOD right one) I'm nor sure the brain swelling is the cause of this blurring I see or it's something to do with the eye itself.
My symptoms started as a little sparkly multi-colored spot just left of my central vision. Now it's just very splotchy vision and the acuity has diminished a lot...to the point I cannot drive, read very much etc. I was thinking maybe it is macular degeneration or something like that. I have an appt with my eye doctor on the 5th and saw the eye doctor when this first started in Nov. but they couldn't see anything. But since it's worse now, I just don't know what to think.
The tumor was in my occipital lobe, so it's possible it's all related to that. But I freak about my eyes, and not being able to see has stranded me since I have no family around.
Any thought on this vision thing? What does macular degeneration looks like from the patients point of view...and would it progress in 1 1/2 months to this bad vision?? (From 20/25 to 20/70) Does it happen that fast?
The eye doctor in Nov couldn't do a dye test for MD because my pupil doesn't dialate anymore and they wouldn't be able to see anything.
Any thoughts on this would be great!
Thank You.
Hellas (aka Faith)

Hellas! I;m sorry no one answered you because you have helped me and others. How are you? What is going on with your eyes? I hope you haven't been diagnosed with MD. Let us know.

I too am sorry to hear of your difficulties and sorry I cannot offer any constructive input.
I'm praying for you as I type.
Was the surgery otherwise successful?
A very quick Internet search indicates that lesions (which could include the cut of a surgeon's laser or knife) in the occipital lobe can cause "visual hallucinations and illusions" similar to what you describe.
Has your doctor told you what to expect (visually) at this point in your recovery and in the future?
Keep us posted.
:angel:

P.S. I just noticed that you posted this over a week ago (when I had family visiting). So sorry I missed your poste. Glad Cher caught it.

I think your problem must be related to the surgery. Can you get to a good retinal specialist? I don't inderstand why your eye isn't dialating, Is that a result of the surgery? Maybe you just need time to heal becuse I remember when I had my bypass surgery, right before I had some really bad visual problems and then right after it had improved slightly but not much. I had been on a heart/lung machine and that can cause severe visual problems.It took awhile, but my vision did improve. Now that I have had cataract surgury, I have lost my close uo acuity and now have to use strong glasses plus a magnifying glass which I carry with me.
But don't despair! I was at my wits end and my vision has always gotten better after the surgeries, it just takes time.
Let us know how you are doing. I so understnad your fear at losing acuity. It is so scary and the outcome isn't always known. But stick with your doctor, he knows best. I couldn't drive for awhile before the cataract surgery, they told me I was legally blind. But I am driving again. Hold tight and things will get better. Oh and there is oftentimes swelling after surgery which will remedy itself too with time.

Cher, good point on the swelling. Let's hope that is the cause of Hellas current visual problems and that it will improve with time.

Hi Hellas. So sorry about your problems. Could the fact that your eye doesn't dilate anymore account for some of the poor vision?
I'm afraid I can't be of much help, but I do also get the sparkly, swirling spots in my vision. I think they are caused by neural activity, but whether it's in the brain or the retina is hard to distinguish. I have a sort of retinal dystrophy and I develop new blind spots from time to time. They start as this swirling pattern. Often they fade away and are not permanent. As far as MD goes, there are many types, so it's impossible to say. The two most common types--dry and wet--are in the former case, slow to develop, and in the latter caused by bleeding. I would doubt either of those types would advance so quickly.
At any rate, how did the appointment on the 5th go?

I'm sure you know about the Grid you can keep on the wall to test about MD. Ask for one at your eye doctor's if you don't have one. Or google and print out one.

You put on your glasses, close one eye, and stare at the dot in the middle. All the squares should be square, not wavy, as mine was temporarily about 3 wks after having a capsulotomy for secondary cataract, the clouding that happens with debris from cataract surgery. I forgot to take a look today, but expect it'll be almost okay. I was exhausted from Christmas shopping, don't know if this would have been a normal part of healing. Good luck.

hellas im sorry to here about your vison i have nothing to ad only that you and ellen grace are in my thoughs and prays. i can not write much because i am so tired from rehab today.

Hi All
Haven't posted here in awhile, but needed to ask a question. Last week I had a tumor removed from my brain and the visual defect that I had originally which the docs all say is related to the brain swelling, is worse after the surgery.
But my question is this, since I've had so many retinal detachments etc in this eye (my GOOD right one) I'm nor sure the brain swelling is the cause of this blurring I see or it's something to do with the eye itself.
My symptoms started as a little sparkly multi-colored spot just left of my central vision. Now it's just very splotchy vision and the acuity has diminished a lot...to the point I cannot drive, read very much etc. I was thinking maybe it is macular degeneration or something like that. I have an appt with my eye doctor on the 5th and saw the eye doctor when this first started in Nov. but they couldn't see anything. But since it's worse now, I just don't know what to think.
The tumor was in my occipital lobe, so it's possible it's all related to that. But I freak about my eyes, and not being able to see has stranded me since I have no family around.
Any thought on this vision thing? What does macular degeneration looks like from the patients point of view...and would it progress in 1 1/2 months to this bad vision?? (From 20/25 to 20/70) Does it happen that fast?
The eye doctor in Nov couldn't do a dye test for MD because my pupil doesn't dialate anymore and they wouldn't be able to see anything.
Any thoughts on this would be great!
Thank You.
Hellas (aka Faith)

hi hellas i,m sorry to hear about your vison. i keep you and ellengrace in my prays. do you still have someone with you ? i can,t write much i feed really tired tonight i had rehab. and it just wipe me out. i don,t know much about M/D i will ask lots of questions when i have my next app. i do have dry M/d and my vison is get bad it been 18 months and i know iwill have new glasses.i kind of no how it feels not to drive. i have been taking buses and cab to go to the store. thats a chore so i can only get a few items . i can only handle two . good nite and my god bless you .:angel:

Pidypat: Did you ever think of looking into computer-ordered groceries and delivery? I think it's fairly common now and would have to be cheaper than a cab.

Pidypat: Did you ever think of looking into computer-ordered groceries and delivery? I think it's fairly common now and would have to be cheaper than a cab.

That sounds like a good idea.

Maybe they nicked your optic nerve or a blood vessel or something when removing the brain tumor, Hellas? You've notified the tumor surgery people? Maybe they've had the problem before and know just what to do, but the eye people wouldn't know anything about the brain. I don't think I'd wait even one more day.

I saw sparkly halo's just one night, on the way home from my first capsulotomy, light poles looking like sparkly trees, so I didn't think to ask at my checkup what had caused that, it was so brief.

If the surgery people don't help, I'd ask around about the best-known specialists and get their opinion. If anyone complains about you going somewhere else, which I don't think they would, you could say you couldn't get a prompt appointment and also wanted a "second opinion". Sounds like an emergency.

Good luck. Saying prayers for you. Keep us posted when you can.

I googled "Eye Damage from Brain Tumor Surgery" and found one example in the resulting links, of someone's cranial nerve being harmed, but the actual artical is so long I never did find that in it or what they did about it. We might be able to help you more if we find out approximately where you are. You don't have anyone living with you but is there someone who'd read things for you and make notes?

Guess you know, If you're running XP, you'll probably want to type Settings into Keyword, and click large or extra large fonts instead of small, and there's Narrator, which I never have used, but Narrator and Magnifier may mess up your settings in some ways and you get disoriented. Likewise with iZoom, for me, people at the Issist forum couldn't get it to turn off. From Start you can Uninstall.

The bottom of my screen was all blacked out so I just had to click approximately where there should be an X. Browser tool bar too. I managed to get them to turn off after 5 min. of nonuse, but all the icons on my orange desktop are highlighted in blue as if they've just been clicked. An error msg gets you to a Microsoft How to Fix, but I didn't get it, right after my last capsulotomy, hate tech things anyway.

Hi Hellas. So sorry about your problems. Could the fact that your eye doesn't dilate anymore account for some of the poor vision? Q from Eagle: Did they tell you why it no longer dilates and is this just since the tumor surgery?

I'm afraid I can't be of much help, but I do also get the sparkly, swirling spots in my vision. I think they are caused by neural activity, but whether it's in the brain or the retina is hard to distinguish.

I have a sort of retinal dystrophy and I develop new blind spots from time to time. They start as this swirling pattern. Often they fade away and are not permanent. As far as MD goes, there are many types, so it's impossible to say. The two most common types--dry and wet--are in the former case, slow to develop, and in the latter caused by bleeding. I would doubt either of those types would advance so quickly.

At any rate, how did the appointment on the 5th go?

I'm concerned that Hellas hasn't been back to this thread.

I'm concerned that Hellas hasn't been back to this thread.

Me too! Very concerned!

:wave: Hi Everyone!
Sorry I haven't been back here. Didn't mean to worry anyone.
Here's the latest that I know. I saw my eye doctor on Jan 5th and he said the nerve may have been irritated by the swelling of the brain tumor, but even nerves heal in time, but they heal slowly...and he thought the vision would get better. Great news right? Wrong!!! I saw the neuro-surgeon on the 8th and he said NO, the vision won't get better. I have to tell you my heart sank to me toes hearing that!!! Bad enough I have lung cancer and metastasis to my brain and probably don't have much time left, now My vision is gone too!! That is more disheartening to me than the cancer!!! And I know you all understand that one.
Anyway, I have an appointment with a neuro-ophthalmologist on Feb 5th, to see what they have to say.
All I know is so far, the vision is pretty much the same. ALthough there are times it seems better than others. I suspect the steroids I'm on may have something to do with that. I did had cyberknife radiosurgery on my brain last Friday, so the steroids will be around till late February.
Thanks for all your concerns everyone! Good to see you all....CHer, Serious, Eagle, KeelaC and Pidypat.
I'll try to get back here more. Just get bummed out with all I'm fighting right now.
God Bless you All!!!
Hellas

{{{{{HELLAS}}}}}}

I have tears in my eyes. I feel for you so much and I absolutely understand why you are more upset over your eyesight than anything else.
My kidneys are only functioning at 30% and I have severe cad disease, but none of it makes much difference if my eyes don't work. My good eye is pretty bad right now. After the cataract surgery it is very blurred and the new glasses they gave me are not helping. it is a scary place to be.
but please dpn't despair. There is always hope. Are you taking chemo? That could have an effect on your eyes as well. I wish there were more I could do. I noticed that you are typing well, no typos. I am having a miserable time trying to see and type. I'm down to using extremely stong glasses and a magnifier to read anything.
Please keep in contact and let us know. We will all be praying for you.
Hugs

We certainly don't mind worrying about you; don't worry about that! We'll probably all be thinking about you constantly all weekend and beyond that, saying prayers, And I'm so glad you were able to come back on, are typing and expresing yourself just fine, and that your health care people are paying proper attention as I was afraid they were not.

Guess you're on chemo. Hope you'll be able to keep us posted, as we certainly do care, a lot. Hugs. Eagle

Hellas, I'm so sorry about your illness.
What I like about Americans on boards like this, is their unashamed offers to pray for people. You don't see much of that elsewhere. And that's one thing that e-pals can do.

Hi Everyone Again!
Well nothing new to report. Vision is still blurred in the central part. Cher I have really strong magnifying glasses too , as well as that magnifying glass I hold in my hand. DOesn't do much exept make the bluriness bigger!
I am concerned the chemo will affect my vision even further. So will have to remember to ask the Neuro-ophthalmologist about that too. I haven't started the chemo yet. Still have to wait to make sure the brain is all free and clear.
Cher glad to hear you are driving. I think that's wonderful I wish I could say the same, but they haven't said I could so waiting for the green light. HAven't been able to get back to work yet either, so long boring days.
Thank you all for your kind words, hugs, and prayers! ALways nice to come
here and feel you are surrounded by friends.
God Bless Everyone!
Hellas:wave:

Hang in there, we're with you, and maybe that one guy was just a negative person. Maybe you even know someone else who goes to him who could verify that, or we can just assume. A lot of men are like that. Eagle

Hellas sweetie, we are with you all the way. Hang tough and fight like hell. I'm waiting your post that says you are driving again. I am bareky driving, but able to go out a little. I remember speeding along the highwat and loved that feeling of freedom, but no can do. So it's a toughie for us all.
Hugs and keep talking to us. We really care.

Thanks KeelaC, Cher and Ealge!
Evertyhng is status quo here. I do see the neuro-opthalmologist on Monday so hope to have some questions answered. And maybe they can say whether or not I can legally drive, and if I can, I think I will be like you Cher. Just enough driving to get around locally. Even that would such a blessing right now!
I do start chemo on the 15th so hope that doens't mess up my eyes further!!
So good to see you all here. Take care, and hope you all are doing well also.
Hellas

So glad to hear from you, and you're sounding optimistic.

Don't forget to ask if the chemo is going to make your vision worse. I always figure I can get through things if I'm told enough in advance, no surprises.

Sure hope you get to drive a little. Cher's right. It reassures you that you're still alive.

So glad to hear from you, and you're sounding optimistic.

Don't forget to ask if the chemo is going to make your vision worse. I always figure I can get through things if I'm told enough in advance, no surprises.

Sure hope you get to drive a little. Cher's right. It reassures you that you're still alive.

Oh yes! I have my list of questions ready to go! I don't like surprises either, so I do need to know if that chemo can affect the eyes. No tto mention all the other drugs they have me on right now.
TO be honest, I did "cheat" today and drive a few blocks to a local market. No one was around to drive me and i desperately needed something. My distance vision is better than the close up vision, so it was not a big problem. I just want a doctor to say YES, you can drive. Then I will take it slow and easy to get back into it. But I will never drive very far again, unless this spot in my centra vision gets better. We'll see.

Yea for Hellas and driving! Bet it made you feel good to get in that car again. I know when I get a little bit of despair and I force myself to do something and accomplish it, I feel tons better. A dear old friend of mine told me to fight fight fight and she was so right. You win not the disease.
I like your attitude. Wonderful.
Hang tough!

Sometimes they may just not want us to worry, and might just say automatically it won't affect your vision. And who among us hasn't had our caretakers resent our having computers?

So, with a list of everything, you can look up adverse side effects on the web and they don't even have to know. If you're able to see that well. I keep forgetting I need to order some stronger readers online, $11. Always I lose a screw on one side, bought some but can't see to find them and wouldn't be able to see to stick it in. I did get a fairly small safety pin through the hole, feeling my way, but that ear piece is so loose my readers fall off when I look down.

I'm ready to go from +4.50 to 5 or more I guess, and then may get some contacts, I'm not sure I can get used to. You can only get up to about +6 online. (eFamilyvision)

So glad you got to drive a little. Is the hole in your vision just in one eye? I have lots of scarring from retinopathy which makes small blank spots, and I turn my head just a little to find a spot where I can see better. The bad eye does definitely reinforce vision of the better eye. Couldn't get into Healthboards last night. Something about a databank error. I had viruses from about the 20th and my Norton Antivirus evidently was the first thing attacked and damaged, so I may have to endure the error popups for another 181 days, as nothing can be done to it, not even removal, using their downloaded special tool.

That's nothing compared to your worries. But if anyone's had the experience, "tell me about it". EmailScanning gets turned off and today wouldn't turn back on so I installed a small part of Grisoft's AVG virus scan, so glad to get something without the whole spyware pkg, I have in other programs. Just making conversation here. Don't run down any policemen. Not funny?

I'm with Cher. And you're sounding so good, Hellas. Keep up the good work. Tempered steel.

Hi All,
Cher and Egle glad to see you two hanging in there too! Not much going on here. Did see the neuro-ophthalmologist on Monday...and GOT NOWHERE!!! Did her visual field test, examined my eyes, told me NOT to drive, and come back for another type of field test they couldn't do that day!! Argh!!! So went back Thursday for the other field test. That was it. Didn't even get to see her, so I guess she sends her report to my neruosurgeon and neuroradiologists on Monday. So I still don't know anything else.
I did ask if the chemo could affect the eyes, and she didn't think so, but watch for any changes. Goody! Did visit the chemo social worker and took my on a tour of the room they fgive the chemo in.:eek: GUess I'll see how that goes on Thursday!
So what's up with you two? How are you eyes doing and what are your doctors doing for you these days???
God Bless!
Hellas

Hi Hellas,
Sorry I haven't stopped by in awhile. I will always remember how much support and encouragement you gave me when I was having my cataract surgery and after the surgery too. And you've done the same for so many. You really have a gift as an encourager.

And I'm very sad to hear about your cancer. (

I just looked up chemotherapy and vision or optic* or ocular in 2 of subscription databases to which I have access as an academic librarian. I found an article from January of 2006 that said there could be optical problems if you were using any of these chemo chemicals: cytosine arabinoside, 5-fluorourocil, methotrexate, or docetaxel, and then another article from February 2007 that blaimed vincristine sulfate for vision problems. Both said most of the problems were reversible once you were off of the chemo. But it said to be sure to check your vision with an ophthalmologist before starting the chemo so any changes could be recognized -- which you did.

As for me, I finally splurged and spent $600 on glasses with the new Physio progressive lenses. The range of clear vision is pretty narrow, but they work very well when I'm at work at the Reference desk where I need to see at many different distances. It was worth it. I still use my bifocal readers for long stretches at the computer or reading. Reading about all you're going through is a strong reminder to me about how greatful I should be for the relatively good vision I have.

I would guess if she told you not to drive then that's probably what you should (not) do. Right after my surgery, when my eyes were dilated and I didn't have glasses, the doctor told me I could drive, but it was really scary with everything so blurry. So maybe your doctor would say it is okay for you to drive short, familiar distances very slowly if you ask her.

Here's a big hug:
(((((((((( ))))))))))

<3

:angel:

Hi Hellas,
Sorry I haven't stopped by in awhile. I will always remember how much support and encouragement you gave me when I was having my cataract surgery and after the surgery too. And you've done the same for so many. You really have a gift as an encourager.

And I'm very sad to hear about your cancer. (

I just looked up chemotherapy and vision or optic* or ocular in 2 of subscription databases to which I have access as an academic librarian. I found an article from January of 2006 that said there could be optical problems if you were using any of these chemo chemicals: cytosine arabinoside, 5-fluorourocil, methotrexate, or docetaxel, and then another article from February 2007 that blaimed vincristine sulfate for vision problems. Both said most of the problems were reversible once you were off of the chemo. But it said to be sure to check your vision with an ophthalmologist before starting the chemo so any changes could be recognized -- which you did.

As for me, I finally splurged and spent $600 on glasses with the new Physio progressive lenses. The range of clear vision is pretty narrow, but they work very well when I'm at work at the Reference desk where I need to see at many different distances. It was worth it. I still use my bifocal readers for long stretches at the computer or reading. Reading about all you're going through is a strong reminder to me about how greatful I should be for the relatively good vision I have.

I would guess if she told you not to drive then that's probably what you should (not) do. Right after my surgery, when my eyes were dilated and I didn't have glasses, the doctor told me I could drive, but it was really scary with everything so blurry. So maybe your doctor would say it is okay for you to drive short, familiar distances very slowly if you ask her.

Here's a big hug:
(((((((((( ))))))))))

<3

:angel:
Hi Serious!
So good to "see" you again! Sure has been awhile. But life gets crazy!!
Thank you so much for that info you looked up on the chemo drug. Luckily I won't be taking any of those for now. SO that is a big relief to know my two drugs aren't on that list! At least something is going my way and I won't have to worry about the chemo drugs affecting my eyes! Although I will be wary, just in case something should show up! Very nice of you to look that up for me.
Glad you are doing well and splurged on the glasses! Can't say that when it comes to the eyes we should think of it as splurging. Our eyes deserve the best be can give them! :)
Stay well and thank you for the info!
God Bless!
Faith

Faith, you're in my prayers. :angel:
If you want to post the names of any chemo drugs, I'll try searching for them by name.
:wave:

I've been wondering how you're doing, Hellas.

Hope things are going well.

Hi Eagle!
Just popped over here to the eye board and saw your post. Sorry haven't been here in a long while I guess.
The eyes are still blurred, but good enough to drive, so I'll be happy with that!
So far the chemo is going ok and shrinking those tumors. I'm halfway through and up for another treatment Thursday.
So far it hasn't affected my vision adversely other than a bit of dryness I think. And I had that before, just was better with the Restasis till they pumped all those drugs into me!!!
Hope everyone here is doing well! Missed being around, but i guess my eyes got put on the back burner for now.
Take Care and I'll check in when I can.
Hellas (Faith)

Glad to hear you're doing ok, Hellas.

Glad to hear you're doing ok, Hellas.

And how! Me too.

FWIW, I suppose you tried plain old Visine or Systane before. Maybe a more simple solution considering all the other that's going on, or maybe not. So glad you're doing okay otherwise. I was getting worried.

Thanks KeelaC and Eagle
Oh yes Eagle, I've a big supply of systane sitting right here!
It does help with the dryness.
Sure wish the blurred area could be helped as easily, but I guess you can't have everything. Sure do miss my normal BAD vision though. I'd take that back in a minute if I could!
Take care
Faith (Hellas)

Thanks KeelaC and Eagle
Oh yes Eagle, I've a big supply of systane sitting right here!
It does help with the dryness.

Sure wish the blurred area could be helped as easily, but I guess you can't have everything. Sure do miss my normal BAD vision though. I'd take that back in a minute if I could! Take care
Faith (Hellas)

Oh, me too!

I wasn't even told about multi-focus implants before my cataract surgery, and a lot of other things I should have been told, such as don't waste money on "progressive" glasses, and my prescription was wrong. My surgeon and his technician have been replaced, so they must have had bad reports from other patients. I didn't file any, but have felt really really bad about the experience and was very relieved to find that my Retina specialist could do my capsulotomies and my vitrectomies. The one heading the group now in that building is pretty well-known in this area, an older man, I think.

If something goes wrong with these implants, they're scarred in, and I hear it's very dangerous to try to replace them. About 40 yrs ago they used to just clean out the cataracts and leave the natural lens intact. Seems to me that'd be a lot better.

Actually, sometimes I have a blurred area in my worst eye, if that makes you feel any better, which I've been forgetting to mention, assuming yours is a lot worse, I'm sure, because you had the tumor surgery and all. I believe Mine's just from diabetic retinopathy scars.

There's also a lot of fairly transparent gray spots in my vision with distance or reading glasses on, which I assume is also the ruptured blood vessel scarring.

Sounds like you have a good optimistic attitude, which I hear will help you a lot.

Be assured we're still thinking about you and praying you'll soon be totally well. Thanks for keeping us posted.