Lyme and Retinal Tear

[sundg1984]

I have series of retinal tears right from the tick bite in 2008. I was misdiagnosed until recently. I had retinal tear surgery in 2009. I had 2 more retinal tear surgeries recently after the treatment has started by LLMD. I see series of light particles hitting the retina after sleeping and getting up. I feel and as well as see it. I was wondering if you guys know or experienced this situation.

Thanks,
Sundeep.

[JackieCalifornia]

Sorry, we (I) kind of hijacked the thread, didn't we (I)?

If you haven't seen your ophthalmologist lately, I'd suggest making an appointment, just to stay on top of the situation.  Let us know when you do, and what the doc says, okay?

Take care --

[sundg1984]

I think my floaters are more of blood oozed from the capillaries because of inflammation. I hope they go away after the lyme treatment.

[JackieCalifornia]

MRI shows problems with the physical structure of the brain; SPECT scan shows areas of low blood flow due to swelling.

LLMDs tend to use SPECT scans instead of MRIs, because Lyme causes swelling, not structural defects in the brain, but the MRIs can be useful at some level.  My LLMD ordered only a SPECT scan.

The following is from the Columbia University (in NYC) Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases Research Center:

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Imaging:

a. MRI.  

Unlike SPECT and PET images which assess brain ***function*** (footnote 1), MRI captures the ***physical structure*** of the brain.  Inflammatory abnormalities in the brain are also assessed with MRI scans.  In children with neurologic Lyme disease, the MRI may reveal white matter hyperintensities suggestive of ***inflammation*** or areas of demyelination.  Up to 40% of adults with Lyme disease may also have small white matter hyperintensities, but it should be noted that the number of hyperintensities increase with age – even among patients who do not have Lyme disease.  In addition, certain factors such as ischemic disease [meaning narrowed blood vessels and resulting inadequate blood flow] or a history of smoking may result in an increased number of hyperintense areas.

[footnote 1:  The white matter hyperintensities are sometimes called UBOs or "unidentified bright objects". In some patients, antibiotic treatment results in a diminution or disappearance of these hyperintensities. Certain MRI sequences, such as FLAIR, are best able to detect hyperintensities. These MRI images in Lyme Disease may appear similar to the demyelinated areas seen in the "white matter" of the brain MRI of patients with multiple sclerosis.  The brain MRI of the young patient at the left [note from Jackie:  images not shown in this post, but you can go to the website if you want to see them, tho they didn't mean much to me] revealed MS-like lesions in this individual with a fully positive IgG Lyme Western blot indicating immune reactivity against the agent of Lyme disease.  Because an MRI scan uses a very powerful magnet, patients with pacemakers or other metallic implants should not get an MRI.

b. SPECT Imaging

Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography (SPECT) is an imaging device that provides a picture of the ***functioning*** of the brain. The advantage of SPECT imaging is that it is widely available and relatively inexpensive (compared to PET imaging). ...  In Lyme Disease, the most common finding is of heterogeneous hypoperfusion [meaning multiple areas with low blood flow] diffusely throughout the brain. This pattern cannot be distinguished from diseases with a similar pattern, such as Lupus, chronic cocaine abuse, or other vasculitic ***inflammatory*** disorders. This pattern of heterogeneously decreased perfusion is different from what one would see in patients with primary depression or Alzheimer's disease.  Approximately 70% of patients with chronic Lyme disease will have multiple areas of hypoperfusion."
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[Ricobord]

Doctors have called the Lyme-caused white spots in the white matter of my brain "lesions".  They look like old small MS lesions, but they don't look brighter with contrast.  The PA at my LLMD said I should expect to see some of them have healed in my follow up MRI in April.  With as many as I have, though, I don't expect all of them to heal.

[JackieCalifornia]

It's been about 2-3 years since I finished treatment.  The floaters went away gradually and I didn't even realize it until one day --bing!-- they were gone.

... and PS, Lyme doesn't cause brain lesions like multiple sclerosis does.  Lyme can cause swelling of the brain, but not 'lesions', from what I read.

[mojogal]

Jackie, how long have you been in treatment?  I have vision problems but blurry vision from the brain lesions. So I am wondering how long did it take for your vision problems go away?

[JackieCalifornia]

I have read that Lyme can mess with vision, so that it's good to see an ophthalmologist (MD who specializes in eyes) to be sure things are all right.  I was surprised my ophth. was so up to date, but he was!

I had a lot of 'seaweed' looking stuff floating in my visual field, but it went away after treatment.

[mojogal]

I have never had that but everyone has different experiences. What did your LLMD say? Let us know.