I'm opening this thread up again because I still suffer from this exact condition and, so far, nobody has mentioned any preventative action, let alone a possible cure!!!
I suffer from a 'camera-flash' spot in my eyes that eventually turn into blind spots. I have suffered from these for about 7 years now and have been able to just live with them until two weeks back, when I had one appear right in the centre of my vision.
I am starting the litany of tests all over again...
Re: Bright spots in vision that turn into blind spots
This sounds a lot like what I have.
I started with other symptoms about 2 months ago - skin numbness, left side weakness, dizziness. The vision problems started somewhere amongst all that. However the other problems have mostly gone now apart from some slight dizziness and balance issues.
I have had an mri and lumbar puncture at the hospital which came back normal. I went to the eye hospital where they found a bleed in each eye but could not suggest a cause for that.
As for my vision problems I have 2 blind spots in my left eye and one that appeared later in my right. The right one seems to unfortunately 'overlap' one of the left ones so that I see it with both eyes open. It is most noticeable when reading as the word below the one I am reading disappears, particularly if one eye is covered.
It's starting to really get me down now.
The following user gives a hug of support to 88Girl: ciaran (08-03-2012)
The Following User Says Thank You to 88Girl For This Useful Post: ciaran (08-03-2012)
Re: Bright spots in vision that turn into blind spots
Both of you could be having microemboli in your retinal vessels. They are tiny blood clots that break off sometimes from the heart or carotid arteries and lodge in the eye. An echocardiogram would be helpful to evaluate the heart valves where clots can form, a carotid doppler ultrasound, and some blood tests to see if you have a tendency to form clots. This is best done by a hematologist, and should include several things that can predispose one to clots. I would talk this possibility over with your opthalmolgist and see if he/she concurs with that possibility.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to ladybud For This Useful Post: 88Girl (08-06-2012), ciaran (08-03-2012)
Re: Bright spots in vision that turn into blind spots
Hi 88Girl!
Thanks for you comment!
It's incredibly challenging for me to get up and smile each day as the first thing I find myself doing is noticing the spots. Unfortunately for me, my latest 'blank' or 'blind' spot (which came on two weeks ago) is just to the right of the centre of vision in my right eye. This makes most things incredibly annoying like when reading because part of the word I am reading is 'missing'.
I have my ophthalmologist appointment on Wednesday.
I have had this condition for 7 or 8 years now and have been able to live with it until this most recent episode as it is so close to the centre of my vision. I find myself getting eye-strain headaches as I am always trying 'not' to see it. But it is just so difficult not to see it.
When I saw my ophthalmologist 7 or 8 years ago when these started, I had every test possible. After my MRI, my neurologist just put it down to complicated migraines and basically said, 'there's nothing that can be done, just get on with your life' which was easier to accept when the spot wasn't in the centre of my vision.
Anyways... I'll let you know how things go on Wednesday!
Take care and hopefully we can all keep each other a little happier!
Re: Bright spots in vision that turn into blind spots
Quote:
Originally Posted by ciaran
Hi 88Girl!
Thanks for you comment!
It's incredibly challenging for me to get up and smile each day as the first thing I find myself doing is noticing the spots. Unfortunately for me, my latest 'blank' or 'blind' spot (which came on two weeks ago) is just to the right of the centre of vision in my right eye. This makes most things incredibly annoying like when reading because part of the word I am reading is 'missing'.
I have my ophthalmologist appointment on Wednesday.
I have had this condition for 7 or 8 years now and have been able to live with it until this most recent episode as it is so close to the centre of my vision. I find myself getting eye-strain headaches as I am always trying 'not' to see it. But it is just so difficult not to see it.
When I saw my ophthalmologist 7 or 8 years ago when these started, I had every test possible. After my MRI, my neurologist just put it down to complicated migraines and basically said, 'there's nothing that can be done, just get on with your life' which was easier to accept when the spot wasn't in the centre of my vision.
Anyways... I'll let you know how things go on Wednesday!
Take care and hopefully we can all keep each other a little happier!
Ciaran - pronounced Kieren, by the way!
go on the web and look up,"symptoms of ocular migraines" and another one with similar symptoms is "retinal detachment". see if either of these matches your symptoms. another condition that has the same symptoms is a loss of vitreous gel in the eye caused by severe dryness.
Last edited by boobootwo; 08-03-2012 at 09:11 PM.
Reason: addition
The Following User Says Thank You to boobootwo For This Useful Post: ciaran (08-03-2012)
Re: Bright spots in vision that turn into blind spots
Hi Ciaran thanks for your reply, I hadn't noticed until now sorry. It's disappointing to know that you've been so long without a diagnosis. Keep me updated
I've just posted a new thread with my whole list of symptoms as I'm getting pretty fed up with the whole thing.
Re: Bright spots in vision that turn into blind spots
Quote:
Originally Posted by ladybud
Both of you could be having microemboli in your retinal vessels. They are tiny blood clots that break off sometimes from the heart or carotid arteries and lodge in the eye. An echocardiogram would be helpful to evaluate the heart valves where clots can form, a carotid doppler ultrasound, and some blood tests to see if you have a tendency to form clots. This is best done by a hematologist, and should include several things that can predispose one to clots. I would talk this possibility over with your opthalmolgist and see if he/she concurs with that possibility.
Thanks I will definitely discuss this with my opthamologist when I see him. I always have cold hands and feet so I have thought for a while that I may have a circulation problem. That could possibly also cause problems for other parts of the body. Maybe I'll take aspirin until I see the opthamologist next in case it is that.
Re: Bright spots in vision that turn into blind spots
Well I went to the opthalmologist again. There were some spots missing from my field of vision but they couldn't find any cause for it. Also the bleeds I had have gone now. I'm going to the neurologist on Monday so will have to discuss with him I guess, although I don't think it will come to much as my mri and lp were normal. So frustrating.
The following user gives a hug of support to 88Girl: ciaran (08-09-2012)
Re: Bright spots in vision that turn into blind spots
Hi Ciaran I am wondering if you have progressed anywhere with your problem yet. I saw the opthalmologist again on Friday and he did another field of vision test specifically for the central vision and this showed up my blind spots exactly. I am now waiting for an appointment to have an injection of dye which will allow them to check for inflammation and leakages in the back of my eye.
They said maybe it could be an autoimmune disease or some sort of infection. I have other neurological symptoms as well.
The following user gives a hug of support to 88Girl: ciaran (08-28-2012)
Re: Bright spots in vision that turn into blind spots
Hi 88Girl. All tests including OCT, CT Scan, MRI have all come back normal, thank God! No change in symptoms... I'm religious so am putting my trust and faith in Jesus. He helps remove a lot of the anxiety. Are you religious? Praying really helps and keeps you calm. Gives you hope with things science cannot.
Re: Bright spots in vision that turn into blind spots
I have the same problem, and have had these d@mn bright arcs when blinking for 5 years. A couple of times, they turned into blind spots for a few days, but went right back to flashing lights when I blink. I have been to 3 retinal specialists who find nothing wrong. This is insanely frustrating. I don't know to get a victrectomy or if laser would help, anyone?
The following user gives a hug of support to lula22: ciaran (09-02-2012)
Re: Bright spots in vision that turn into blind spots
In autoimmune disease, some people have anti-phospholipid antibodies that predispose them to forming clots. That is one of the blood tests I referred to in a previous post. These can present as tiny blood clots in the retinal arteries, causing exactly your symptoms with resultant blind spots. Your opthalmologist could order that blood test, also known as anti-cardiolipin antibodies. If not your PCP could order it. If present, sometimes something as simple as a baby aspirin a day prevents the clots. I have lupus and have several blind spots from this and have had no more since starting the aspirin.
Re: Bright spots in vision that turn into blind spots
Thanks for answering. I just got back from retinal specialist #2 for the third exam and he didn't offer anything for treatment. Just same ol' answer, "well, you probably have a partial PVD, the flashes could go away tonight, or in 20 years". Wow, really? I am not going to wait 20, 10, or even 1 year longer, it's been 5 years already!
How often are your flashes? Mine are every time I blink pretty much, sometimes with 3 consecutive flashes in a row. I see them with my eyes open, depending on the light source, and now I see them with my eyes closed! I know it's my messed up vitreous, but why can't they remove it!?
The following user gives a hug of support to lula22: ciaran (09-08-2012)
Re: Bright spots in vision that turn into blind spots
I am reading all of your posts and I too have the carbon copy of your symptoms. I started getting these blind spots with frequency over the past 3 years. Several trips to Retinal Specialists, Neuro ophthalmologist, neurologist and its just the same answer every time. Nothing noticeable in my eyes. Possible complicated migraine (really??!) I now have one closer to my central vision 5 days and counting so it makes me very anxious. Yesterday I had another full work up (fluroscene angiogram, EDI-oct, etc and all ok). So my question to all is, we are all very similar in our symptoms but has anyone commented that they have lost total sight eventually? I would like to know the longest symptomatic person (did I hear someone say 10 years in one post). Perhaps it's our vitreous causing issues but perhaps it will never manifest to anything more than peripheral blind spots. Mine do fade after a year or so. How is it possible that none of the doctors can give an answer. There is enough of us out there with this non sense in our vision and like many others its a slow torture of anxiety.
Re: Bright spots in vision that turn into blind spots
Hi Rj, sorry to hear about your symptoms. It is insane isn't it? I have myopia and suffered eye injury about 6 years ago. That's when my flashing started, and hasn't stopped since. I've been to 3 retinal specialists and all 3 don't find anything wrong. It sucks. They say it might go away. But they don't say when. I'm getting really down from it. Plus they offer no treatment citing that if they don't see anything, they can't risk operating on my eye.
Re: Bright spots in vision that turn into blind spots
They usually say vitreous traction by the way. Blah, blah, blah, is what I say. It's so distracting, I don't see how people live with this. This is worse than floaters by far.
Re: Bright spots in vision that turn into blind spots
Hi lulu,
Yes, very frustrating especially when we know what we see is valid yet the Specialists continue to give a clean bill of health. In February I had another thorough work up from my retinal specialist. Fluroscene angiogram, EDI oct, etc. Everything showed normal yet the blind spots remain. I have an arced shadow that's been in my vision since the end of December 2012 that has not yet gone away.
I perhaps sum it up to retinal traction as there is nothing else I can think of. Surely there must be many others with this issue that may not have come forward. This is a real condition and I do hope one day there is an amazing doctor out there that will be able to pin point the real cause and hopefully a cure or at least some answers. Until then let all hope we keep most of our vision!
Re: Bright spots in vision that turn into blind spots
Hey guys. I haven't visited this thread for a while.
I have these blind spots, which first started appearing about last May time along with eye pain and other neurological sumptoms. MRI, LP, the thing where they inject you with dye snd examine the back of your eyes, all gave normal results.
From about early October onwards my neurological symptoms basically disappeared apart from if I attempted exercise I can't do it like I used to (apart from swimming cos I don't get hot!). But my missing vision didn't return.
Anyway, end of last week I felt dizzy again and got eye pain and head pressure over the weekend. So doc is going to phone me tomorrow. I'm terrified that more of my sight is going to go! Hope it doesn't
