Pictures of your eyes

mg_2204 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-29-2003, 07:42 AM

Hello!

I have my eyes checked every year... but now I've been told there is a new technology available. It's a special camera that takes pictures of your eyes. That way, the doctor can spot if there is damage to your eyes... Ever heard of this?

The thing is... I have badly reacted in the past to those drops they put in your eyes in order to make your pupils larger. I've had laser surgery in the past to release pressure in my eyes. Now I can't have those drops! But doc insists I should do it in order to have those pictures done. I just don't want to! Was blind for 2 days because of the drops.

I'm 40 y/o, why can't I decide for myself? Were you ever made to feel as if you're too stupid to make your own decisions???

I think the idea of taking pictures of your eyes is great. But not if you risk partial or full blindness because of the drops. I was also told there is another way to check pressure in the eyes (other than the use of those drops) but haven't found someone who does it.

The clinic has started to nag me again with the pictures... I feel like screaming and pulling my hair out. Ack!!!

Comments anyone?

Have a great day!

Marie

HeatherP · #2 (**permalink**) 10-29-2003, 11:09 AM

Marie, I'm sorry you've had problems w/ the dialation drops. I've heard of those pictures also, but have never had them. Vision is a very important thing, and losing it for two days does not sound like a good idea - what happens if it lasts or a week this time, or what if it's permanent? It's not their problem. It's your body, your eyes, and if you're not comfortable w/ something, then you have the right not to do it.

My dr cks my eyes w/ a puff of air (I think) I know they ck pressure every year, and I've not had a picture taken, so I know it's possible. Can you change docs? Maybe when you call the new doc, you can ask how they ck for pressure. The picture may be the most accurate way to ck, but again, don't do it if you're not comfortable!

HeatherP

Belinda · #3 (**permalink**) 10-29-2003, 05:38 PM

Mine checks the pressure with a small pen like device and I think it blows air? I just had mine checked this week. Hope you find a more cooperative Doctor..remember they are working for you not the other way around.

Alaska · #4 (**permalink**) 10-29-2003, 08:31 PM

Yep, I get the air check too, sometime my air is a little low so he jacks me up and fills me back up with air

P
On a serious note........First time they went to do the laser surgery to my eye he asked my to lay on this bed.........he came at me with a huge *** needle.........excuse me, just WHAT do you think your going to do with THAT?........ Well, I need to deaden the nerves so you won't feel the pain. It's just going to go below your eye........UMMMM.I think not! Better think of another way.
Now they just hit me with a little morphine and in 10 minutes we are on our way.

mg_2204 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 05:27 AM

Hello!

Laser surgery to my eyes only involved drops in my eyes... and that was it! My head was stuck in a ... well similar to those thingies when you have your vision checked!!! I had to wear something made of glass over my eyes. Didn't hurt. Just had a weird sensation afterwards and for a day only. Felt I had sand in my eyes. I was advised not to drive but I could have had! Felt perfectly alright.

Alaska : How come they wanted to deaden the nerves with a needle?!?? EEEkkkk!!!!

I've asked about that test... the air blowing thingy? It's as if I'm talking about a procedure done... on another planet. Oh well.

Have a great day!

Marie

Alaska · #6 (**permalink**) 10-30-2003, 10:06 AM

Well things may have changed in the last 5 years..........that is about how long it's been since I had my last eye surgey so perhaps things have changed

Belinda · #7 (**permalink**) 10-31-2003, 07:20 PM

If they were doing retina stuff I think the needle is involved! Had many done...first time I was nervous the next few times....**** I didn't care just get it done! At the hospital the nurse wanted to knock me out briefly to do the needle in the eye thing but the Dr. said no she will be okay......we both amazed the nurse because she didn't know exactly how many times this already had been done to me....she wanted to hold my hand...LOL the Dr. and I had a great laugh at her expense.

mg_2204 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-03-2003, 02:38 AM

Hello!

Oh... I think I didn't have the same surgery as you did then. Doc had to pierce the iris... to let the pressure out. Something like that! No needles involved. Doc would have found I can run really REALLY fast

-- Marie

DeusXM · #9 (**permalink**) 11-04-2003, 03:56 PM

Are you talking about retinopathy photos? I can't believe they're a new thing because I've been on the screening programme they have here since I got diagnosed five years ago.

As for the drops...I know, they're a pain, especially if you have to drive to the clinic to get them done. I've never heard of them blinding people though. Maybe it's because you're exposed to too much bright light after having them? Try wearing sunglasses for six hours after the eye test to give them some protection.

Your doctor is right to insist that you have the drops since it ensures a better quality of picture BUT.....

Last time I had mine done, I said I'd had to drive to clinic and the eyedrops wouldn't be a great idea unless they particularly wanted to see me in A&E a bit later that day. They took the photos without giving me the drops and said the photos came out good enough anyway for them to check. So basically, ask your doctor just to at least try it without the drops. If he can still get satisfactory photos, that's one less thing to worry about. Plus you should definitely mention your temporary blindness because he should take that into account as part of your care routine.

mg_2204 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-05-2003, 03:40 AM

Hello Deus!

I wasn't aware the technology wasn't that new... Sorry! New to the country, etc.

I can't have the drops. Ever! Because of laser surgery I had. Well I wasn't aware of this until the nurse put the drops in my eyes... and my vision went out the window. You should have seen the doctor panic........!!!! I was sent home with this advice : if it stings too much and your eyes become all red, go to the emergency STRAIGHT AWAY. How nice...

I'm glad you said you had the pictures done without those drops. Will definately talk to my doc about this! Thank you very much. Will not risk losing my sight for a few pictures...

Have a great day!

Marie

notme · #11 (**permalink**) 11-12-2003, 11:49 PM

I also hated having my eyes dialated, but I did it every year because of diabetes. This year when I went to the eye doctor I was told they had one of the new retinal scanning cameras. I was told my insurance wouldn't pay for me to have the scanning done because the drops were cheaper and you can still see the same thing. The doctor gave me the option of paying the difference and having the scanning. The good thing about the scan is they have a permenant picture and can compare it to future pictures. I opted to pay the difference and have the scan done. It took just a couple of minutes and then the doc and I looked at the computer generated pictures of my eyes. I am happy to say that my eyes are in great shape. He said that if he didn't know I was diabetic (type one 17 years) he would never know by looking at the picture. Next year when I go in, I will have these pictures to compare. I will never endure the dialating again (I hope) and highly recommend the retinal scan. The baseline picture is worth its weight in gold.

Nancy