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Eye Care Archive (Expert Forum)
Neurological Issues & possible afterimage?
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Neurological Issues & possible afterimage?
by nim82, May 02, 2007 12:00AM
I've been getting a rather weird problem involving both eyes, firstly I am a 25yo male myopic, and currently am in poor health - with an as yet undiagnosed problem(s) that may be neurological in nature (still waiting to see specialist). The more general problems began with pain/tingling in my arms/legs, then I developed fasciculations all over, noticeably around my eyelids (which twitch a lot), I have also had 'prickly' pains in the corners of my eyes and latterly fluid in both ears and strong headaches.
Periodically (and getting more frequent) I have been seeing what I can only describe as dark shapes/squiggles. Typically they seem to happen after I blink, but simply waving my hand in front of my eyes causes the effect as well. I (usually) get a slight flash in the shape of a random squiggle(s) that lasts milliseconds and then darkens into a black/brown which lasts for about 10 seconds before fading away. Blinking again causes it to reappear as before. It is visible with both eyes albeit slightly differing in definition between them. The phenomenon can last from a few min’s to hr’s.
Today I caught a glare when opening the door briefly; this seemed to trigger the event when I went back into the dark house, so I suspect the problem is afterimage related. I’ve also been seeing noise (twinkling specks) when looking at a bright surface/sky as well as mild ‘flickers’ when sleeping.
I’ve seen my optician who couldn’t see anything wrong, and suggested a neurologist. I’ve now got referred but am at the back of a 6mnth list, and my GP seems unwilling to take onboard my worsening general situation and is only dealing with my ear/sinus issue.
All these problems have hit me one after another over the last 8 months and I am convinced that they are all somehow related. Any advice or information on the possible nature of visual problem alone or any conditions that could link the visual problem to the other factors would be greatly appreciated as I’m clueless at present. Thanks
Periodically (and getting more frequent) I have been seeing what I can only describe as dark shapes/squiggles. Typically they seem to happen after I blink, but simply waving my hand in front of my eyes causes the effect as well. I (usually) get a slight flash in the shape of a random squiggle(s) that lasts milliseconds and then darkens into a black/brown which lasts for about 10 seconds before fading away. Blinking again causes it to reappear as before. It is visible with both eyes albeit slightly differing in definition between them. The phenomenon can last from a few min’s to hr’s.
Today I caught a glare when opening the door briefly; this seemed to trigger the event when I went back into the dark house, so I suspect the problem is afterimage related. I’ve also been seeing noise (twinkling specks) when looking at a bright surface/sky as well as mild ‘flickers’ when sleeping.
I’ve seen my optician who couldn’t see anything wrong, and suggested a neurologist. I’ve now got referred but am at the back of a 6mnth list, and my GP seems unwilling to take onboard my worsening general situation and is only dealing with my ear/sinus issue.
All these problems have hit me one after another over the last 8 months and I am convinced that they are all somehow related. Any advice or information on the possible nature of visual problem alone or any conditions that could link the visual problem to the other factors would be greatly appreciated as I’m clueless at present. Thanks
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-OD-MP, May 02, 2007 12:00AM
this all sounds neurological. none of that sounds like 'eye' problems to me. you probably do need a neurological workup. none of that sounds emergent to me, either...even if its frustrating on your end.
i suspect that some of your complaints are entoptic phenomena:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entoptic_phenomenon
i suspect that some of your complaints are entoptic phenomena:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entoptic_phenomenon
