Optic nerve pallor, band cheratopopathy, scar tissue

[AnnaE]

Dr. Hagan,

I recently saw a doctor in Dallas at Texas Retina Associates. He told me I would not lose my "bad eye." I am upset that he did not put some of the things he told me in his report.

However, he agreed that I needed chelation for the band cheratopathy, I am ready for that. However, I am disturbed  that he wrote in the report that I have optic nerve pallor. Do you think I could lose my little vision in the bad eye from this? He also mentioned excessive scar tissue, but my doctor here said that he could see no scar tissue. I do not know which doctor I will see next. I am going to my ophthalmologist on Wednesday to talk to her about this decision. What could the scar tissue mean for my future?

Thank you

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Optic pallor does not always correlate with level of vision. That is I have seen eyes with almost white optic nerves that had reasonable vision but other with moderate pallor with poor vision.

As I have said your problem is so complex that I cannot really contribute anything to your many issues.

I do wish you well.

JCH MD

[AnnaE]

Since my third retina surgery, I have supposed that I would continue to have many proglems with the eye--with the cornea, optic nerve, retina, scar tissue, with hypotony, the ciliary body, my lids, and whatever else.

I know this because of all I have read, and because I listened carefully to every medical term and condition that all my doctors, and all of the doctors on the forum, have mentioned.to me.

You can tell I am anxious. I just returned home from shopping and I am sure that everyone I met today was wondering why I was so hyper. I wondered too, and now that I have settled down, and I am talking about it, I realize that  my eye condition still affects everything in my life.

I heard a little indirectly about Berrywoo today. I do not know if she has written in yet, but she is doing admirably well.

Thanks

[AnnaE]

It also seems that the optic nerve pallor could look bad for the future of the sight in that damaged eyw? I am very proud of that little bit of sight, and it helps me get around, some anyway.

[AnnaE]

So I should call the guy in Dallas, because he seems to have the most expertise? But I am very anxious; I will have to wait until Monday.

Can you say anything aabout the optic nerve pallor? I did a search on it, and it seems likely that it is common with multiple retinal detachments/surgeries?

Thanks

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

It depends on where the scar tissue is, I suspect it is in or on the retina. Your case is so complex that I cannot even speculate its implication on your future vision. You need to get these answers from the Eye MD that has looked into your eyes.

JCH MD