A related discussion,
floaters was started.
Be sure you've read this reference and some of the links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entoptic_phenomenon
I try and never say "never" but I can think of no eye disorder I've treated or studied that would cause similiar problems.
JCH III MD
Thanks JCH M.D.,
Your response is much appreciated. I think the thing I find most frustrating is that there is little information about it on the web. It seems to be a fairly confusing thing, too, because most people think this phenomenon is actually floaters. Those of us with both problems know differently.
I have just one other question for you. Since entopic phenomenon is very distinct in its description (somewhat bright, like something in a Petri dish, mainly visible on white or blue backgrounds), is there anything else that it could be? No other eye problem I have found seems to match the description. Thanks so much for your time. Fred Tuttle
Most people if you tell them what to look for can "find" the entoptic phenomena. If I stop a second while I'm typing this out and move my eyes I can see my floaters and if I look at the screen I can see the "flying corpusles".
You don't practice not seeing them you just get busy and do something else and go about your business. Once you know they're "normal" you shouldn't worry any more about it than hearing your stomach "growl" or your knuckles "pop".
JCH III MD Eye MD
I find that when I am stressed/anxious all these things are more obvious. Does the brain learn to tune them out by itself or do we need to practice?
is it true that if you start looking for these visual anomolies you will basically find them?
Hello Fred, Glad the extended exams turned up nothing serious.
1. There is no prescribing literature on Prozac or other anxiety/depression medications causing increased entoptic phenomena.
2. I have never heard of hypno-therapy getting rid of entoptic phenomena. Perhaps a better use of you time and money would be to try and get rid of the hypochondriasis.
3. Most symptoms be they bad backs, breathing difficulties, extra-heartbeats get worse as you focus on them. The background noise of the living human body is like a room full of people all talking (perhaps a cocktail party) there's generally a drone. If you turn your head and ears you can sort of hone in on one conversation. That's the way we direct our mind's "eye" to the different sounds and sights of the functioning body.
If its any help entoptic (or entopic) phenomena are a very common reason for posting on the two eye websites.
JCH III MD Eye Physician & Surgeon