Thank you so much for your suggestions. I went and saw my opthomoligst again today, and he said there is nothing wrong with the retina, or the optic nerve as he can see. He said it could be a pinched nerve in my spine?? That is shutting off some of my vision? He also said there could be some pressure in my brain that is leaning on the optic nerve. But he also tossed around the idea of MS again. UGHHH!! I keep telling everyone I want to see an neuro opth. but why isnt anyone reffering me to one? They also dont seem to be listening to the other symptoms. Bowel incontinence, SEVERE back pain, vertigo... etc... I don't get it.
But I appreciate your feedback and ideas, anyone think of anything else, please let me know!! :)
Dear singinalong,
I would definitely recommend that you seek the care of an eyeMD specializing in neuro-ophthalmology. He/she will be able to assist you in determining the cause of your symptoms and the reduced vision. If possible, obtain the scans and tests you have had for them to review. You can find a neuro-ophthalmologist on the AAO.org www site, in the find an eyeMD section.
Dr. Feldman
Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California
I have had the test that tests your optic nerve for movement.. not sure what it is called. I have had the color hue test, a field test, and a few others... I just dont know what to do anymore. Its affecting my husbands job now too... Him having to take me to these appointments, because I cant drive... I am at my wits end
I would add - make certain that you obtain a multifocal ERG - unversity teaching hospitals are best for complicated or hard to diagnose cases
Perhaps you should start to consider some of the inherited retina disorders. Regular eye MDs may not be all that familiar with them and in the early stages, many may not be obvious to spot. You should also consider to a large well known eye center. 20/60 vision with no diagnosis is not acceptable. You should know what is going on. The "dull" colour symptom is classic optic neuritis but it is likely that you would have other symptoms associated with this that would be more suggestive of ON. You would need to have a full eye work-up if you have not already, including FA, OCT, photography etc.
Thanks for the nice suggestions. An ERG could possibly be helpful after more obvious tests were all done. The ERG is not as easy as you think. At some point it might be needed but you would usually see at least some sort of abnormal findings in the retina, particularly in an adult that had previously normal vision. My best advise is to see a neuro-opthalmologist. They are best trained for these mystery cases of decreased vision of unknown origen. The interesting thing about your comments is that you say BOTH eyes are having major problems. I find that rather curious because most eye diseases will affect the eyes in at least a slightly asymmetric way. Thinking of bilateral severe vision loss makes me think of possible a toxic or metabolic cause or else a cenral nervous system problem like a stroke or mass effect (which would have been seen on MRI.) MS would generally be rather asymmetric.
MJK MD