Grey-ish Blindspots

[clarky99]

T1 24 years.
26 years old.

I ran into some trouble with my eyes 6-7 years ago (non-diabetic related). I had uveitis in my right eye, which caused glaucoma. The steroid drops they gave em for the uveitis then caused a cataract.
The eye is stable now and can see ok. 20/30.
There are 3-4 small blindspots in my visual field. My Opthalmologist doesn't beleive me that they are there and says he cannot see any diabetes related damage.
My first thought was diabetes related macualr edema.
Similar small blindspots have begun showing up in my "good" eye, which is no longer that great.
Again, my Opth. says he cannot see any diabetes related damage.
The spots appear dark/grey-ish, they are round and are around the outer edge of the center of my vision.
Has anyone encountered anything similar?
Any suggestions on what to have my Opth. check next time??

Thanks,

[notme]

T1 24 years.
26 years old.

I ran into some trouble with my eyes 6-7 years ago (non-diabetic related). I had uveitis in my right eye, which caused glaucoma. The steroid drops they gave em for the uveitis then caused a cataract.
The eye is stable now and can see ok. 20/30.
There are 3-4 small blindspots in my visual field. My Opthalmologist doesn't beleive me that they are there and says he cannot see any diabetes related damage.
My first thought was diabetes related macualr edema.
Similar small blindspots have begun showing up in my "good" eye, which is no longer that great.
Again, my Opth. says he cannot see any diabetes related damage.
The spots appear dark/grey-ish, they are round and are around the outer edge of the center of my vision.
Has anyone encountered anything similar?
Any suggestions on what to have my Opth. check next time??

Thanks,

I would first suggest you find another opthomologist that believes you.

If you are having a problem, I would suggest you get a referral to a retinal specialist. Have you had a retinal scan? A retinal specialist can also do an eye angiogram that uses a yellow dye (fluorescein) and a camera to take pictures and evaluate the blood flow through the vessels in the back of the eye. If you have not had this done, I don't think your doctor has done enough to check on your complaints.

Please see a new doctor, one that takes your complaints seriously.

[kmac]

I really don't know much about what you describe, but I can tell you are very worried--as we all are when it comes to eyes. My suggestion is that , if your doctor is not a retinal specialist, maybe you could ask for a referral.

It is so hard to know if these kinds of things are significant or not.

It sounds like a frustrating situation and I think you are right to try to find out the cause or at least have a doctor recognise what it is and reassure you if that is all that is necessary. Hang in there!

Kathi

PS I see that Nancy posted a really good reply while I was writing mine. She says it well and I agree!

[xMenace]

A retinal specialist can also do an eye angiogram that uses a yellow dye (fluorescein) and a camera to take pictures and evaluate the blood flow through the vessels in the back of the eye. If you have not had this done,

I recommend a fluorescein dye test too. It will show things your doctor cannot see; however, it sounds like maybe floaters or a posterior vitreous detachment (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posterior_vitreous_detachment). Floaters are often not seen by the docs, a pvd generally are. I vote floaters.

[clarky99]

I appreciate the replies.

Just to clarify, because I may have worded it wrong. Its not that my doctor does not believe me when I explain the situation to him, as he performs all enecessary tests ( visual field test, OCT retinal scan). But the tests routinely come back negative.

[clarky99]

I am certain it is not floaters because I have had them before.
Because floaters occur in the vitreous, when you dart your eyes around they mover, relative to the center of your vision. My blindspots are static relative to the center of my visual field, so I would assume it is a problem at the back of the eye and not in the vitreous.

[Crash220]

Get a piece of graph paper, as small squares as possible, mark a center point to stare at, draw the spots where they appear, take that to the opth, and they will have something to look for. OR ask for a field of view test.

Tom

[CaitE]

I would hope that the dr. would have already had you do the graph paper test.

I have 2-3 water-mark type spots in my vision that suddenly develop and then heal over a period of weeks (though I can still see a couple spots faintly). I've been to my optomotrist about this and was then referred to a retinal specialist (been twice now).

My retinal specialist saw one very small spot the first time around and then completed the fluorocein angiogram. Nothing came up in this test- no leaks. Everything has been negative as well from the scans. My spots are clear rather than grey which you said yours were.

All the eye specialists have told me the same thing that they're sure it's not diabetic related issues, however, it could be central serous retinopathy (fairly common) which might be stress related and resolves itself overtime. So, i understand completely how you feel. I would recommend keeping a log of your observations and keep regular appointments so any changes will be identified. I find comfort in the fact that a retinologist has not demonstrated any concerns twice now....so try and get a retinal specialist to take a look.

good luck.

[notme]

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