Hi, Ive been having problems wiv my eyes becoming increasingly sensitive to light for the last few months but the worst thing that has started happening is that i have TRAILING VISION. I have seen the optitions and he theyve dun lots of tests and he says theres nuthing he can do as he sees nothing wrong and has never heard of this b4! I also have double vision in my periphiral view. All the syptoms are gradually getting worse does anyone know wot i can do or ever had this kind of problem?

By trailing vision i mean if somthing passes infront of my eyes i c the image then, i c a trail of the image follow behind it anf it takes about a second to catch up. Its really weird.....please someone help http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif

Dan:

Trails are called palinopsia. You can research that. Sometimes the cause is unknown, but often it is caused by drugs/medication.

Your symptoms could be a variety of things- meds, astigmatism, uveitis, etc. When you say you were examined by an optician, I assume you mean an optometrist. Make an appointment with an ophthalmologist for a thorough examination.

Torre

I think ive seen one, i went an saw some kind of specialist who made me use a machine to test my field of vision wiv flashing lights and having to press a button. He also put a dye in my eye that made my vision blurey and looked at them more closely so i think ive had all the tests i can have...the only medication im on is diazipan and the doctor says that it wouldnt b that causing it to happen?

Dan,

The tests you describe can be performed by an optometrist. You need someone who has MD in their title AND will listen to you. Valium can cause a whole host of weird symptoms, and if you have been on it long term you may need to speak with your regular Dr. regarding your visual problems and consider another med.

Good luck.

Yep, the first site I checked out after typing "side effects of diazepam" into Google listed changes in vision.
T.

i know for a fact it isnt the diaipan because ive only been taking it for about 2 months and im on a tiny dose...2mg twice a day if needed.

The problem started about 8 months ago and has been gettig gradually worse since then, thats wot i dont understand

Hi Dan: Your first post implied the palinopsia was more recent.
Astigmatism and other corneal problems can cause problems with light, and double vision, but that should have been discovered during your examination. Sorry, don't have any other ideas.

Torre

Yeh no sorry it started about 8 months ago with flashing lights being seen in the dark, and i started getting trailing vision with lights in the dark i.e moving my mobile phone in the dark would give me trailing vision. This continued to get worse and i started to get prolonged after images occuring when looking at things. Then recently the trailing started in the day as i am doing normal things and has gradually been getting worse.

It all started when i was put on amytriplin for head pains i was getting when standing up, i noticed my eyes getting weird in the dark so stopped the treatment even though the docter says that it isnt a side affect of the drug, and if it was, would stop after taking the drug.

I have recently read about a woman who has my problem minus the trailing which she aquired after taking clomid. She noticed side affects so stopped taking the drug and the side affects have persisted 2 years later even after stopping the drug.

Is it possible this drug has messed me up?

Dan,

Why would you be given Elavil, an anti-depressant, known to have headaches as a side effect for head pains? ALL of the anti-depressants can cause visual disturbances. I know someone who will have to take a low dose of prozac for who knows how long because every time he tries to stop the headaches and visual disturbances are so bad he can't take it. Wellbutrin often has the unintended side effect of causing or worsening bruxism (tooth grinding in your sleep).

You need to discuss all of these untoward side effects with your Dr. and figure out what your options are. Only your Dr knows all of the meds you are on, and i seems to me you have way more going on then an eye problem.

Good luck.

Dan:
A less common side effect of amitriptyline is blurred vision and a rare effect is increased sensitivity to sunlight. It's right there on the web.

I've read posts too from people whose symptoms persist long after the med is discontinued.

Remember that we are not docs, but just making logical suggestions.

T.

Shamen - it was a lot more complicated than just head aches...i was getting really we4ird sensations and feeling in my head and they all came on when i stood up. They suspected it to be low cs pressure in my spine due to a leek from my spine. I just took wot the neurologist gave me I dont know all the reason behind everything you take wot they tell you to take, he said it wud help.

Torre - Thx a lot for all your help, at least i have a name behind all my vision problems now i just need to find out why its still gettin g worse and what i can do about it. Cheers D