Vision fades to black, but eyes are healthy...

[Nan78]

I am a Type 1 Diabetic, with serious vision problems, but healthy eyes. Just had an intake with a new optometrist this morning - no signs of optic neuritis, or macular degeration, healthy retina, vessels all look good.  Need a prescription adjustment, different rimless frames to help improve my peripheral vision (which is poor) and a pinkish tint to help with the difficulty I'm having reading and watching tv/computer use.

However, I am having terrible vision problems, up to quadruple vision, blurring, shaking, dark spots that come and go, and worst of all, my vision will suddenly fade out to almost nothing, blackness, then fade back in, especially when I'm reading.  

I have been diagnosed previously as suffering from 6 different types of "headaches", including Idiopathic stabbing headaches, occular migraines and cluster migraines.  These affect my blood pressure to the point of causing me to momentarily lose consciousness, memory loss, confusion and severe dizziness.  I have also been diagnosed as having Fibromyalgia, and diabeting neuropathy, as well as gastro-paresis.

Family history includes macular degeration, and glaucoma, stroke, aneurism, hypertension, thyroid disease, Lupus and various cancers.  No known history of MS.
  
Should I ask to see a neuro-opthamologist?  With a healthy occular nerve, no retinal detachment and generally healthy eyes, I'm sort of stumped.  My line of work requires vision (administration/clerical), and for three years now I have not been able to work, because I can't see well enough, and the headaches (never mind other health complications) are overwhelming.  

I need some advice... And if anyone out there has had any similar experience, please, I'd love to hear it.  

{FYI Both my parents suffer from the exact same phenomenon of the eyes "fading" - my dad has been told it's a side-effect of 35 years as a diabetic, while my mother who is NOT diabetic has been to multiple specialists, who diagnosed her with everything from epilepsy (no) to a tumor (again, no) }

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

First, I would see an ophthalmologist and if necessary get a referral to a neuro-ophthalmologist. You should be followed by an ophthalmologist rather than an optometrist due to your medical problems.

Dr. O.

[mountainseadrop]

I have had very similar issues with my vision and have been searching for years for an answer. Have things improved or have you found a doctor that has been able to help?