Blue Patch in Vision

[sounda]

My left eye has been operated for cataract and IOL (Tecnis Foldable, 27.0 D) implanted in Dec 2007. Since then I had flashes of light and bubbles floating in my left eye. They seem to have subsided or I have got used to them. I have been using Refresh Tears. Now I have a new problem. I see a light blue elliptical patch just below the centre of my vision. It is clearly there when I cover the right eye and see with the left eye. With both eyes open, I don't notice it so much but it sort of hinders me reading newspaper or watching TV, or working at the computer. I began noticing the patch after I visited another eye specialist who took some very bright flash photographs of my retina. He said part of the retina was swollen but did not know why. When I went back to my regular doctor, he said that some debris have collected in the retina and there was nothing to be alarmed about. He advised me to continue with Refresh Tears eye drops.

What I would like to know is if I am suffering from a strange eye disease. Will the patch go away after some more time, just like the bubbles. At times the blue  patch becomes a field of bright light (fire) which slowly is covered by a black circle more like the eclipse of the sun until all the bright area becomes dark. This happens when my eye is open or closed. There is also pain. All these happens on and off but the blue patch is there all the time. Do I suffer from Age-related Macular Degeneration?

I have been seeing a medical officer who has MBBS, DO, DNB. Do I need to see an MD. Is there any difference between an MD and a DO for eye speciality?

I am 61 years old, male. No other medical conditions.

Sound

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

A DO and a MD are both medical physicians.  an OD is NOT a physician, not a surgeon or medical doctor.

Your problem suggests cystoid macular edema a common complication of catarct surgery. Suggest you see your surgeon, may need a referal to retina Eye MD for OCT test of the macular. Often special medications are needed to make it go away.

JCH MD

[sounda]

Thank you, Dr Hagan.
On 29 Sep 2008, my doctor did a Visual Field (HVF/GVF) test and an Eye Ultrasound (B Scan) test on my left eye.  

My next appointment with him is on 29th Dec 2008. Will that be too long for me to wait?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

If nothing changes no its not. Perhaps Google "Amsler grid" read about the test, print out a grid and test each eye individually weekly. If anything changes go back ASAP.

JCH MD