Ophthalmologist Visit
Eriksgirl got me into an ophthalmologist really quickly. Yeah Eriksgirl! I had questioned, to myself, the value of going to an ophthalmologist because I thought all I needed was to get was to get my optic nerve checked. The plus side was that I was having problems with blurry vision, in addition to the blind spots, so it seemed like a good idea to get a thorough eye exam. Plus going to the Neurologist for this was going to be a hassle.
The initial eye exam went very well. He checked the optic nerve, retina, macula, etc. Overall the health of my eyes was very good. Interestingly my prescription had changed significantly in one eye which was causing the blurry vision. Why did my prescription change to be more near-sighted after years of being stable? I wonder if it is Lyme related, but that is something to ponder another day.
The interesting test was the visual field perimetry test. This is the test where you look in the dome and click when you see a light. The test generated many pages of output from the various tests, but below is the mapping of the blind spots in each eye. After the test the ophthalmologist's assessment was that the problem was neurological because there are no problems with my eyes. He was going to refer me to a neurologist (maybe thinking I didn't want to see the one treating my seizures, or maybe he missed that I already had one) but we just got a copy of the records and had him fax a copy to my existing neurologist. I also get to anticipate the joy of coming clean on some issues with my neurologist (in a future post), but for now just more waiting.
To be continued ...
Technorati Tags: Multiple Sclerosis, Lyme, Visual Field, Blind Spots, Perimetry, Ophthalmologist
posted by Erik @ 4/26/2008 02:00:00 PM
4 Your $.02
4 Comments:
I guess I should have put this in the post, but the dark spots are the blind spot.
The test details are:
Central 30-2 Threshold Test
Stimulus: III. WHITE
Background: 31.5 ASB
STRATEGY: SITA-FAST
But, if you were someone who found the test information helpful than you would probably be the person who would want the entire report and not two pictures. ;-)
Oh I remember that test - like a primitive form of Alien Invaders; I'm on Plaquenil (for lyme) and I have to get that test once or twice a year to test for a rare complication of taking the drug, probably related to those blind spots. You're not on Plaquenil are you? Best of luck with the blind spots.
Erik, I just discovered your blog when looking for information on Lyme and MS presenting in very similar ways clinically... I was diagnosed with MS in 2002 - and didn't have any major problems until a month ago when my legs went numb. My lyme test in 2002 was negative and I never suspected it was wrong until my colleague asked me if I had been tested by iGenex. Desperate because the doctors have been less than useful, I ordered my own test from iGenex and brought it to my own doctor for testing. I'm waiting now for the results of the lyme panel as well as the coinfections (I ordered everything I could as a NY resident). The situation seemed odd to so many -- and friends/family don't seem to understand what it is like to walk on numb legs that burn -- but I press on.
Your blog is really wonderful because you've explored many of the avenues that I am just now researching. I'll be around here and there reading...
Andamom,
Sorry you are having problems. I never went the IGenex route, but they certainly have a very good reputation with Lyme testing.
Some symptoms are very difficult to explain. I still can't explain very well what my vision problem looked like. When you can't see the problem it can make the problem even harder to understand.
Thank you for your kind words. I hope all goes well with your testing and research.
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