It's time for my semi-annual health scare.

[hmpf]

For the last two or three months I've had really odd problems with my right eye. It's hard to describe... I don't really consciously see worse than I used to, but it feels as if there's some kind of mist/shadow in my field of vision anyway - but it's more a feeling, I can't really say 'in the top right corner of my field of vision everything gets blurry' or anything.

I've seen a doctor about it, but she didn't even look at my eye, she just tested my eyesight, determined that I'm nearsighted (which I already knew), and said that that must be it. But I've been nearsighted for 17 years without ever experiencing this symptom, which started quite suddenly around June.

I have made an appointment at another doctor's in September, but I'm going a little bit crazy with worry here... So: is there anybody out there who has experienced the same kind of symptoms, and had it turn out to be something quite harmless, like, I dunno, too much stress, dry eyes, something like that? I'd like some reassurance that, well, to be honest, that there's not something potentially fatal happening inside my eye.

Comments

[dune-drd.livejournal.com]

If it's not the SOMEONE'S THERE feeling (which is caused by insomnia for me), then it might be the symptoms of a (pain-free) migraine, maybe? Yes, that happens. Try reading up on it here.

Pain-free migraine?

[hmpf.livejournal.com]

Oh human body, how strange you are. *g*

Nope, definitely not a 'someone's there' feeling. Never had that.

[aprivatefox.livejournal.com]

Yes. I've had this experience for about two years, also in my right eye. My opthamologist shrugged it off and wouldn't talk about it - she took a very lecturing tone, saying "don't tell me how it -feels-, tell me what you -see-, or what you -don't see-." And, of course, it's more subjective and perceptual than that.

I'm seeing a new opthamologist shortly, to see if I can get an answer. But I have no idea what it is. (Also, I have diabetes, so am reasonably at risk for quirky eye issues.)

Ha, sounds a bit like my visit...

[hmpf.livejournal.com]

to the eye doctor.

[beccatoria.livejournal.com]

I'm not entirely sure this is what you mean, but once I had a really weird experience where I went blind in part of my eye, like, my blind spot expanded or something so one bit in the middle of my vision (from one eye) was like a blurred mix-up of the stuff around it; it was very odd, like I just couldn't see stuff there but not like it was all black or something.

It went away after a few hours and never came back.

Also sometimes when my eyes are dry or I've just gotten up I get that really irritating "opaque" vision thing that I just can't shake for a few hours?

I don't really know and it's always best to get it checked out by a doctor, but I guess what I'm saying is, weird crap's happened with my eyes before and I didn't die, so...I doubt it's fatal if it's not hurting?

Going partially blind for a few hours?!

[hmpf.livejournal.com]

Eeeek! That sounds very scary, actually!

Dude, I would have *run* to a doctor if that had happened to me.

Also, I need to download about ten GB of stuff you've made... *g*

Plus, phone you. You still at your parents? (Yes, I'm still woefully out of touch with everybody's lives on LJ.)

Re: Going partially blind for a few hours?!

[hmpf.livejournal.com]

but hey, I'm replying to comments. That's an improvement, right? *g*

[jazzymegster.livejournal.com]

I get "blobs" in my eyes, and that's only started of late, but I think it's tiredness and stress that does it. It's been remarkably less apparent since I stopped being at college.

I am strangely...

[hmpf.livejournal.com]

heartened by seeing how many people I know have strange eye problems...

Re: I am strangely...

[jazzymegster.livejournal.com]

I can understand that, though. It's knowing you're not alone.

On the other hand, we seem to have a bunch of visual problems between us! (Also I checked out the link about pain-free migraine which...is mad, but my family has a tendency to get migraines, so it was very interesting!)

[space-oddity-75.livejournal.com]

I often have problems with my eyes, like blurred vision, black spots or mist in my peripheral vision, but my eye doctor told me it's mostly related to stress and to the fact I spend too many hours in front oa my PC screen without taking a break. This can cause the eyes to 'get tired' and feel drier than normal, especially at night, when the monitor is the only light in the room. Could your problems be stress-related, too?

I suppose they could.

[hmpf.livejournal.com]

Though I'm probably less stressed now than at any other point of the last several years. But the problem started during my final exams, so, yeah.

[hyper-vole.livejournal.com]

OK, I work in optics. So are you describing a 'curtain' coming across your vision in one eye only? Is it accompanied by flashing lights or any pain? Headaches commonly displayed?

If you were a patient coming in to us and answered yes to the first question we would not see you for an eye test we would give you a leaflet and tell you to report to your closest hospital with an eye department in case it was a retinal detachment. This is done because it is irreversible, if left can lead to permanent blindness in one eye! I know this is a scary thing and most cases are false alarms but it needs checking immediately, especially if you have had any head injuries or strong body impacts just before you first noticed it.

As for the others not quite so urgent but get it checked by a specialist asap.

If it's a misty arc that is in any way crescent in shape make sure you have a field of vision check, a pressure check and please inform them if anyone in your family has ever presented symptoms of Glaucoma.

I have to ask did they look at the interior of your eye? If so how? (Handheld device or table mounted lamp?/Retinal photograph?) If not make sure this is done every time you see an optometrist.

I know I'm waffling on but it's my day to day life so please heed my advice and keep me updated, partly because of professional interest but mostly because I'm nosey!

Hey!

[hmpf.livejournal.com]

Wow, this is almost as good as a visit to the doctor! :D

Nope, the doctor didn't have a look at my eyes at all. She just tested me for nearsightedness (which I could have told her I had, even without a test).

I do have an appointment with a specialist in mid-September. Earlier wasn't possible, because he's quite sought-after, apparently.

Re: Hey!

[hmpf.livejournal.com]

Oh, and also: nope, no further symptoms except for the ones described in my initital post.

Re: Hey!

[hyper-vole.livejournal.com]

Well, if anything further develpos you now know what to do. Otherwise I hope everything turns out ok for you.

Keep things updated.