I'm sorry I can't make any authoritative comments. Perhaps some of the other ophthalmologist will comment or perhaps some readers may have experienced the same situation.
JCH MD
Thank you at least for your time.
I do think that this has been happening to me for a while. The concern again is that while my normal vision is fine right now, perhaps looking at these bright lights is a predictor for future issues.
It's not even a blurry spot as so much just a faint gray that appears to be moving from light to light along with my vision path, not instateneously, but tracing it. It isn't noticable when my head is still, just when I move side to side with my eyes and focus.
I hate to be such a bother, but I did have one more question.
I have been suffering from extreme allergies for a while. Is it possible my issue could be related to photophobia, which I have heard can be a side effect of allergies.
Photophobia just means increased sensitivity to light. Like when you're pupils are dilated or when you're at the beach on a very bright sunny day. Allergy mainly causes itching and perhaps some swelling and watering. Photophobia is not a symptom of allergy nor should allergy cause the light phenomena you described.
JCH MD
Hello Blurry Spot,
I have a rare corneal dystrophy, a genetic condition called posterior polymorphic dystrophy. It has been diagnosed as benign, and I have been to the corneal
center at Mass Eye and Ear several times. My cornea has even been photographed for medical textbooks. In fact, the head cornea specialist at MEEI told me that
he's never seen a configuration of ppmd like the one I have, making it rarer still.
I have read about some other corneal conditions and talked with other corneal patients--my regular exams are every two years now. During my eye exams,
I usually get a group of medical students coming to check out my eyes. Every
time I have an eye exam now for PVD, the doctors say things like, "Can you
see ok?" But my particular corneal dystrophy is not a harmful one, although
in some it can be.
What you describe makes me wonder if it might be a corneal condition. If you call MEEI, ask for Dr. Dohlman in the Corneal Center, or one of his resident assistants and maybe they can assist you further. Describe your symptoms and you'll get a call back.
Also, question for the Good Doctor: Is it ok to fly (on a commercial airline jet) with operculated retinal tear and PVD?
Best,
Sabella2
Sabella, it's okay to fly with a retinal detachment or a retinal tear UNLESS you have had surgery and the ophthalmic surgeon has injected a special gas (SF6) or a large amount of air into the eye. Generally they will warn you if they have done this.
JCH MD Eye Physician and surgeon