I'm starting to get scared of what's going on - Eye & Vision Message Board

ubu · 02-14-2001, 10:32 PM

At first when my vistion went blurry rather suddenly and I had a dark spot in my central vision I went to the ER and the doctor sent me immediately to an opthamologist who I thought did a very thorough examine and told me I had a small hemmorhage on my retina/macula. He was quite confident that it would correct itself and I shouldn't have any long term vision problems because of it. I believed him.

My vision was quite irregular for about a week after I saw him and I phoned his office and I was told this was part of the healing process. I accepted that answer.

Yesterday I started seeing a yellow/green fairly large spot in my vision and it scared me so I went back to the doctor, who sent me to the optometrist. The optometrist saw 2 hemmorhage spots instead of the 1 that was mentioned in the letter from the opthamologist. When the optometrist showed me the Amsler grid I saw a new spot on it that hadn't been there when I had the appointment with the opthamologist.

2 hemmorhages now instead of 1. I don't have high blood pressure. I didn't injure my eye. There is no "real" explanation for this. The only explanation that the opthamologist originally had for it was that it was secondary to coughing or sneezing. This is crazy,,,,we all cough and sneeze on occasion. Has anyone else had this happen to them? I need to hear from someone who might have even the slighest clue what this could be. I read stuff on the internet and so far every time I type in searches I find horrid things popping up. It's scaring me. I should quit reading, I know. But I keep reading. The optometrist mentioned a possible macular hole. I've read about that a little bit and it doesn't sound nice. If anyone has any info....please share it with me. Thank you.
-ubu

rebecca43 · 02-15-2001, 04:10 PM

Hi,
The two things you have to do are to find the best opthamologist in your area and get on a program of nutritional supplements.
a really good opthamologist can probably be found at a teaching hospital. Check his or her background and area of specialty either through the hospital or on the web.All opthamologists are not created equal and a good one should find the root cause of the problem and correct it.
A good supplement for the eyes can be found in any health food store, for example a product such a Occuguard or occudyne would be a good start. To this additional supplements of billberry, grape seed extract and pycnogenol should be added to improve the strength of the tiny capillary walls that have broken causing the bleeding. The las t two supplements are rather expensive but well worth the money, They have no side effects and can be taken in large doses.
Are you taking any medications that might be related to this problem you have? Be proactive and you can lick this problem.let me know how you are doing.

dude · 02-15-2001, 10:45 PM

Many ophthalmologist would perform a fluorescein angiogram. This is a test where a fluorescent dye is injected into a vein in your arm and the the blood flow is photographed to determine the site and pattern of leakage. There are some specific leakage patterns the doctor will look for to help diagnose the cause of the hemorrhages and to determine treatment if indicated.

You didn't say how old you are, or if you are very nearsighted. Some causes of macular hemorrhage are: age related macular degeneration, high myopia(nearsightedness), use of blood thinning drugs, diabetes, high blood pressure, blood disorders, trauma, valsalva (holding breath, coughing, etc, This is way down on the list of causes)

Get a second opinion. If possible, with a retinal specialist. ASAP.

ubu · 02-16-2001, 09:33 PM

I'm 27 years old and female and have never had any vision trouble before now. I'm slightly nearsighted but nothing at all major. I am not diabetic nor do I have high blood pressure. I have medication for migraine headaches that are not aspirin but are similar. I have not taken any for quite a long time however, nor have I taken any since this all started. They are not something I have ever taken regularily. I have a referral to see a retinal specialist at the end of March. That seems like a long time to wait but I live in a small northern town and we wait a long time for specialists up here....

Jenna8 · 02-23-2001, 10:14 AM

Yeah, keep getting "second" opinions, is my advise until someone can help. And dont read everything you find on the Internet - or give any weight to it. Who knows where some of that info comes from...

Let us know how the March appt goes

[This message has been edited by Jenna8 (edited 02-23-2001).]