My Daddy is seeing grid patterns and honeycomb patterns

[ridewine]

My Daddy has glaucoma which has been managed for 50 + years. He has had surgeries for cataracts, glaucoma, etc.
He is 83 years old.

He is now seeing grids when he looks at things. They go from grids to honeycombs shape. He has talked to his opthamologist, family doctor, neurologist, no ones has ever heard of this problem. They tell him they will do some research but they have no answer.
PLEASE has anyone ever had these symptons? PLEASE!!!

Thank you very much.       Joanne

[kingofvarden]

I had these during recovery from RD surgery. Grids and honeycombs in front of my eye. They occurred at about week 9 following surgery and gradually faded away from then on, to the point that I now no longer see them. Everyone seeing me at the time seemed mystified, but I wasn't being seen by a neuro-opthalmologist and I had read that these kinds of symptoms were likely to be neurological. Very scary. I had wondered if it could possibly be caused by steroid withdrawal, or withdrawal from some of the other drugs that might have been affecting my nervous system. Do you happen to know, Dr. Hagan, why one might get temporary "optic neuritis" / MS-type symptoms of this sort following RD surgery? It certainly wouldn't have been worth me going to the lengths of getting a spinal tap given how short-lived it all was (or perhaps even seeing a neuro-ophthalmologist at all), but it was very disturbing when the doctors and opticians seeing me said either that they had never heard of this symptom, or that it wasn't particularly important.

[JohnHaganMD]

First the most common form of optic neuritis (its actually several different diseases with different causes) is temporary and resolves in most cases within 6-8 weeks often with no damage to the eye. Then the retina is operated on whether  slceral buckle, frozen (cryotherapy) lasered it can produce light and image projection usually 180 degrees away from the treated retina.

[kingofvarden]

Thanks. It sounds as if my instinct not to worry too much about this (and that of the doctors too) was probably right!

[JohnHaganMD]

Mellowing out always a good plan

[kingofvarden]

Excellent idea!

[JohnHaganMD]

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[Blunshine]

I don't know how long ago these were posted but I also see grids only mine are in the peripheral vision sometimes one or the other I or both at the same time now they are starting to go into I don't know if it's the honeycomb just a weird look on the sides of my eyes my peripheral vision the grids are perfectly White I have cancer of the brain metastatic from lung cancer I also have been diagnosed with glaucoma years ago but not treated for it so I don't believe I have it these grids I see are not very often I thought it was low potassium I'm not sure about that now

[JohnHaganMD]

metastases of cancer to to brain would in itself be a cause of "seeing things"

[JohnG_UK]

I too have suffered with this same curious phenomenon which first began 10yrs or so (starting aged 30).

The patterns and shapes are always different, but always include a mix of hexagons, circles and triangles, with the patterns usually being composed of clusters of shapes.
Sometimes the infinite pattern is of a cluster with only bilateral symmetry, which throws any theories I have out of the window.

I have not been diagoned with any form of cancer or eye pathology, and underwent an MRI on my brain servers years ago for undiagnosed labrynthitis, which showed nothing unusual that would point to a cause.

All research & leads have drawn a dead end and I haven’t chased answers for this unusual phenomenon any further, purely due to its negligible impact on my quality of life.
The vivid dreams I have immediately prior are far more disturbing, but have had those since I was 4.
I am under fairly high levels of stress in my waking life so try to compartmentalise the phenomenon as a byproduct of stress.

I had written the problem off as an ocular migraine, but realised this was a misdiagnosis after seeing illustrations of the zigzag patterns associated with that problem.

I too would love to know more if anyone can shed light on this strange series of interlocking patterns.

Many thanks.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[JohnHaganMD]

Well if all of them have examined your father (ophthalmologist, family MD, neurologist) and no one has come up with an explanation then it might be followed as if it is a new problem often over a period of time new symptoms develop that make the diagnosis much more obvious and simpler. Know that some forms of dementia especially Lewy Body Dementia can begin by seeing strange forms and visual hallucinations.

[AnnetteN]

Dr. Hagan, I have been seeing a honeycomb texture on everything for the past 5 days. It is in both eyes. I saw an ophthalmologist yesterday and his best guess was optic migraine but said it was unusual in lasting more than an hour.  There has been no improvement with migraine prescription. I'm am an otherwise healthy 53 year old woman. Any guidance or suggestions would be much appreciated.  Thank you. Annette

[JohnHaganMD]

I would suggest first seeing a retina Eye MD ophthalmologist for tests including macular OCT and if they don't turn up anything a neuro-ophthalmologist.

[JohnHaganMD]

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[denisebillings]

I see the same thing as your dad. Just got back from an ophthalmologist who said that it is not a problem with my eyes but with how my brain is interpreting the pictures my eyes are taking.I just read an article on the Internet saying that research has shown that anastesia can cause visual hallucinations in the form of grid patterns. Google try googling: neurology and grid patterns. I started seeing the yellow, honeycomb grids after having a hysterectomy.

[Sharona53]

I have just started seeing the honeycomb patterns on the ceilings and walls when I first wake up, they are perfect in shape and quite amazing really.  But my very first images were like green lazer beams in a perfect grid pattern. I've also had a hysterectomy, but that was two years ago.  I would love to know what is causing this.

[JohnHaganMD]

There are several things considered on this discussion and elsewhere. If major pathology of the eye especially the macula it should be there all or most of the time. An eye MD exam with macular OCT should detect this problem. If just when awake (long thread on this) and goes away quickly its usually just the eye shifting from dark adaptation to light adaptation. If comes in spells lasting 5-30+minutes and can be seen with eye shut its often eye (ophthalmic migraine) or TIA (transient ischemic attack)

[JohnHaganMD]

For completeness sake in rare instances it would be atypical seizure disorder like temporal lobe focus

[JohnHaganMD]

Too many causes to give you a specific reason. Could be due to eye problem, glasses problem or just the stress of driving. JCH MD

[islandgirl1947]

Dr. Hagan I have a lot of confidence in your opinion, so I would like to ask you another question.
My eyes tire easily when I am driving, what can cause this?
Linda

[JohnHaganMD]

As a generalization I would say that is correct. If something new, different and concerning develops then a repeat exam would be required. JCH MD