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[CJ-sleepless]

Hi all - sorry not been around, just come back from Spain - had a lovely break 10 days in Salou near Barcelona - much needed - and great price got a last minute deal.

Anyway, arrived back on Friday - on Saturday I noticed a blind spot in my left eye - like when you look at the sun and can still see it in your vision.  By Monday still hadn't gone, so went to see my GP.  She checked my BP which was ok, and sent me to the optician.  The optician said it looked like a "leakage" in one of the blood vessels in my eye.  This sounds pretty bad to me - but evidently its not considered urgent!  I got referred to the local eye clinic - when I phoned this morning they said it was in the "2-3 week pile"!  Because I knew the secretary I managed to get an appointment for next Monday but even so I'm worried.  Anyone else had something like this that can reassure me?  The optician was talking about injections into my eye which I don't like the sound of!!!  Its really annoying - bit like the wavy lines you get with a migraine, but its different to that - more of a splodge - hard to describe.  I'm wondering if it might be quicker to go private and get it sorted

[CJ-sleepless]

Thanks Prajna - I've had migraines before, but this is different - but as you say maybe just a different type of migraine.  Usually when I get the visual disturbance thing it goes as soon as the headache kicks in - but this hasn't gone and its nearly 4 days now - and no headache.  I just find it odd that if there's a blood vessel leaking that they don't view this as urgent!  It certainly scaring the ****out of me!

[Limpy]

Hi CJS - My OH gets visual migraines, no headache but jagged patterns filling his field of vision. No treatment, just get on with it. 

He also has had a bleed behind the retina, a dark blob with wavy lines is how it looked to him. When he went to the eye clinic a posterior vitreous detachment was identified. He didn't get any treatment for this but was monitored for a couple of months, eventually it went without treatment. The optician who initially saw it it got him referred to the emergency eye clinic on the same day. It might be worth contacting your optician and see if they think it can be left till next Monday.

[CJ-sleepless]

My optician and GP both think it shouldn't be left, but the eye clinic won't bend - they say its not urgent - how they can tell this without seeing me I have no clue.  I'm pursuing the private route, looking hopeful I will see someone tomorrow

[Limpy]

Hope you can see somebody tomorrow.
Be prepared for them to say they will just monitor it, but if you get a vast increase in floaters or a curtain dropping down over the field of vision, get to hospital, A&E if out of hours ASAP.
That's what happened to OH when he was seen just after it happened.

[countrybumpkin]

I have severe sight problems and get retinal bleeds which sounds exalcty what you are describing.  I get a small black hole in my vision that does not move around and when I blink it sometimes flashes a different colour. Its more obvious in low light and les obvious in bright light.  I get them because I have extremely thin retinas that tear easily.  HIgh blood pressure can also cause them as well as you have been told.

I have had quite a few of these bleeds over the years and with me every single one has healed itself in 2 weeks as in me being able to see it and the scar left on retina that can be seen opthalmically goes away after a month of so. I even had one in my macular which cause a bit of a panic but again it healed itself fine.

You do need to be " kept an eye on!" by the local eye clinic in case it fails to heal or it gets worse.

Red flag symptoms to go straight to A&E are sudden loss of vision like a curtain across your eye ( retina detaching)/ sudden huge rush of black spots in your vision ( big bleed) or severe pain in the eye.

Whats happened is scary but hopefully it will heal up itself and never happen again. If it continues to happen then they need to know why.

If it turns out to not be a retinal bleed then let me know as your description is perfect for one and I would be interested to know the alternative diagnosis.

[CJ-sleepless]

Thanks countrybumpkin - it does sound like what you have!  I've just had my appt confirmed for tomorrow afternoon, so I'll report back afterwards

[milly]

My mum has wet macular degeration and has eye injections every 3 weeks, then a scan.

It did start similary to you're story but she didnt realise as she was waiting for a cataract operation, and thought it was that causing the sight issues

I'm surprised they are not treating it as urgent.

Good luck later.

[countrybumpkin]

Thanks countrybumpkin - it does sound like what you have!  I've just had my appt confirmed for tomorrow afternoon, so I'll report back afterwards

Thanks. I am keeping fingers crossed for you that it is a very small retinal bleed and they  will just moniter you over a few weeks.  This is whats happened everytime with me.  Its only if the bleed is on the macular that they get a bit panicky!  I assume your optician had a look in your eye and was not worried about its location?

[CJ-sleepless]

Not sure about the location, my optician didn't say - but he did seem to think it was urgent - just the eye clinic that didn't agree!  I must admit the thought of eye injections is terrifying - but if it means I can see properly again I'll go with it lol.  I'll report back later once I've been seen

[CJ-sleepless]

Saw the specialist - didn't post yesterday afterwards as I couldn't see to type after all the drops etc lol.  Basically its a mystery - no bleeds, no blockages, no retina detachment.  He did an ultrasound of both eyes and when compared the left one has an area which shows the damage to some cells on the retina - consistent he said with damage from a laser pen or similar - but since I've not encountered anything like that to my knowledge its a mystery.  He advised me to keep my appointment on Monday with the eye clinic as they could do some other tests.  One test, an angio-something I can't have as I'm allergic to fish/shellfish - apparently what they inject is shellfish based??  Other than that he said it might just go on its own.

I have a friend who keeps messaging me about her husband who had something similar and it turned out to be a blocked carotid artery - and the discovery saved his life.  She insists I should ask if it could be that - but I feel a bit worried about doing that - I don't want to appear a hypochondriac, but at the same time I obviously want to make sure all bases are covered, but in turn that DOES make me a hypochondriac!! I never used to worry and take what medics said as gospel, but since I began working for a hospital..... say no more.  Any advise gratefully received.

[Limpy]

CJS - Ask the question on Monday, you've nothing to loose.
Describe the situation about your Friend's husband.
Good luck on Monday - scary things eyes

[countrybumpkin]

Thats interesting, its the same thing that welders get when they get a welding flash which is damage to the retina that usually heals up in time. 
I am guessing that the consultant mentioned flouroscopy ( sorry can't spell) which is when they inject flouriscine into you that shows up on xray.  Loads of people are allergic to this even without shellfish allergy, I could not have it as I have severe allergy to animal hair.
There is no harm in asking about the blocked carotid artery although that would be an extremely rare reason for what you have, if they dismiss your fears then ask them why they are dismissing it so you have an explanation.

[CJ-sleepless]

Went to my eye clinic appt today, and have a diagnosis -acute macular neuroretinopothy - what a mouthful! I did ask about the carotid artery thing, and apparently that looks very different.  Evidently it's quite rare - trust me - no treatment, just wait and see.  Including a link about it that I found - hope that's ok it's not selling anything

https://murphyod.wordpress.com/2011/03/17/by-request-acute-macular-neuroretinopathy/

I'm interested in the possible causes - it mentions contraceptives, I wonder if HRT would come under that umbrella

[Limpy]

CJ - The Eye clinic sounds to have been useful.
Have you got another appointment arranged or a number to ring if needed?