Eye "issues" - seeing Doctor Tuesday

[Bucky]

Is it basically "Live with it"?

Unfortunately, yes.     I don't know how many times I've jumped thinking I see something (as a spider or bug), when in fact, there is nothing there - just these floater thingys in my field of vision.  Of course, just like Sjogren's, the things I see are inside my eye and not visible to anyone else but me.   

Good luck at your app't. on Thursday, Soycoffee.  I hope you get some answers to your situation too.

Bucky

[Meld256]

Bucky,

Thanks for your update. I had to research "vitreous detachment" a bit. I'm surprised I didn't know the definition with all the eye issues I've had.

It sounds very common, and something we just want to have our eye docs keep a watch on, but as you say, there's no treatment.  I read the "detachment" isn't as scary as it sounds. Just means that more floaters are happening suddenly because a section of the vitreous is pulling away tiny fibers all at once instead of gradually. 

I've had floaters for about 10 years. They can be annoying! And yes, the drops they use to dilate can sting and going outside in the sun is brutal. I can never drive myself home, because I can't see.

You did the right thing and had this checked right away.  Good luck with the opthamologist appt. in a couple of weeks.   

[Jorja]

So glad that you are okay.  I had a similar experience and it scared me half to death.  I had flashes of 'lightening' in my peripheral vision with lots of floaters in the middle.  After tests, my opthamologist assured me that it was Vitreous detachment.   I had to go for checks every three months twice - then back to the yearly exam.  Now, I have to have a special exam to see if I can start plaquenil.  I'm hoping I can use this drug and maybe, just maybe begin to feel better.  Again, let me tell you how happy I am that you are okay.

Jorja

[Cheryl]

Bucky,
I didn't see your post until today; thank you for the update!  I'm sorry you'll have to deal with the floaters.   You already know that I have experienced the same thing in my eyes, and my heart goes out to you.   At least it's not a progressive disorder, but it is a frustrating "new normal."  You will adjust somewhat when you get used to them so that they won't startle you anymore.

Hugs and sympathy,
Cheryl

[irish]

soycoffee, I am totally astounded that you have not had your eyes dilated. I go to my optometrist Daughter in law for my eye issues and she will not do a yearly exam without dilating the eyes.

She said that it is the only way to assess and diagnose issues with the eyes. Some of them can be seen without the dilatation but those of us with autoimmune disease or any systemic disease need to have the eyes dilated. Diabetics is another disease that needs to have eyes dilated in order to check the blood vessels in the eyes.

The blood vessels and nerves in the eyes are the things that can show up a lot of eye issues. I hope that you are having someone one dilate your eyes at some time. Just voicing my concern. I have to admit that having my eyes dilated doesn't bother me all that much. Just wear my sunglasses or the ones given to me by the dr office and don't look at the sun. Irish

[Carolina]

Dear Bucky,

Some one said that our eyes are our windows to the soul.

So much can be seen there by the trained eye.

I have had horrible floaters for about 25 years, and I'm always flinching away from a bug!

I also have hazy patches that float.  But it's like my tinnitus, eventually I"m able to ignore most of it, most of the time.

The funny thing is that the first time something like this appears it seems astounding, and more than a bit scary.

And then you find out that tons of people are walking around with the conditions all the time!

Keep us posted.

Glad you're taking care of yourself.

Hugs

Elaine

[soycoffee]

soycoffee, I am totally astounded that you have not had your eyes dilated. I go to my optometrist Daughter in law for my eye issues and she will not do a yearly exam without dilating the eyes.

Irish

Irish,

Thanks for your conceren.

I've had my eyes dilated in the past, just not in this patch of seeing 5 opthalmologists in 4 months. They've wanted to know about the 7th cranial nerve that gave way to give me Bell's Palsy, and about the dryness of my eye that caused corneal opacity. I think those problems don't need eye dilation. For a general exam it is probably different, but I've been getting emergency care.

Final doc of the five is the one I see tomorrow. I'll try to ask him.

Best,
Soy

[soycoffee]

Hi, Irish
I didn't get a chance to ask the fifth ophthalmologist about dilatation/dilation, first because he was late, and second because he was irritated that I had been sent on to him (the expert on corneas) when obviously the cornea of my right eye was fine. I had to say, then, "the treatment worked." And he agreed. It turns out that he is one of two doctors who staff the Dry Eye Center close to the Sjögren's Syndrome Center here. I had seen his other half two weeks ago.

So, he was okay, but there was not problem and he was way behind.

Good news is that the cornea of my right eye is in good shape. The not so good news is that I have some double vision -- for which he played the same game as all the other 4 ophthalmologists had done -- by suggesting I go back to see one of the first doctors I had seen, a neuro ophthalmologist (because the double vision involves the third and seventh cranial nerves).

1. So the outcome on the cornea is good.
2. The outcome on the "dilating eyedrops" is uninformative, and
3. I'm not done yet with the ophthalmologists!

Best,
Soycoffee

[Bucky]

Good news is that the cornea of my right eye is in good shape. The not so good news is that I have some double vision

I'm glad to hear that your right eye cornea is OK.  Sorry to hear you have some double vision  . . . and will have to keep playing the musical optho go-round.   

I know it must be frustrating to keep being passed from optho to optho - but, please do keep pursuing this as your sight is so precious.

Keep us posted on your optho journey.

Best of luck.

Bucky

[soycoffee]

Thanks, Bucky

A couple of the more recent docs have noticed that I wear an eye patch, and deduced that I wore it because I see double if I don't wear the patch. So they noticed, but didn't have suggestions for the next step.

I know that the right eye has damage from cranial nerve injuries, both the third and the seventh cranial nerve, the latter being called Bell's Palsy. I also know I can go back to my neuro ophthalmologist, who will giggle and salivate (mild exaggeration, there) at the challenge posed to his fellows in neuro ophthalmology by the combination of
a. a third cranial nerve palsy (injury) with aberrant regeneration, PLUS
b. a seventh cranial nerve palsy (Bell's Palsy) which occurred spontaneously.
It is probably b. that causes the double vision, though if asked, I would have to say that I also had double vision when I first had the third cranial nerve injury.

Reading and writing on the computer with soft colored background, as here, and reading on the computer at the website "dryeyepain.com"  are activities that are tolerable, with the eye patch.

I'll go to my neuro ophthalmologist, and make an appointment next week. He'll want to know the outcome of the Bell's Palsy. Last time I absolutely did not stump his fellow. This time, we'll see, though the Bell's will be available in my computer record.

Best,
Soycoffee

[irish]

soycoffee, Well, I am certainly glad that your cornea is doing well. I am sorry to hear that you had Bell's palsy cause that is such a bummer to get cleared up. Also, sounds like you had another neuro injury/illness, etc in the same nerves with resultant additional problems.

Sorry that you have all this going on and hope they can get you up and running again. The old eye patch is the pits. I have never had to wear one but wouldn't rule it out as my myasthenia could also involve the eyes more down the road. Anything is possible with these darn autoimmune diseases.

Boy, it sounds like you have some good eye docs. I have a Neuro ENT and have had a Right labyrinthectomy with nerve section plus a couple of other issues. I really appreciate his expertise. He was the first one to address my poor balance and loss of hearing. I have to drive a long way to see him but he is the only one I would ever want to operate on me. He is slow and steady!

Hope things are going well for you. Stay warm as the cold air is moving in. Irish

[Patze]

Hi Soycoffee,

I'm glad about your cornea, but I'm sorry to hear about the double vision, that has to be awful for you. 

Sending you some

{ { { H U G S } } }

my friend and hoping that the neuro has an answer or two for you.

Take care of yourself -

Patze