Re: Can it be Macular Degeneration?

Posted By Diane on June 11, 1999 at 01:12:23
  I am a 55 yr old female who has been through all the tests from my opthamologist to the neurologist. with everything coming back normal...many blood tests, brain and eye orbit MRIs, all evoke tests, peripheral vision, flourescein angiogram. My neuro has now recommended me to a neuro-opthamologist because no one knows what is wrong with my eye. I originally thought I had a cataract because of fuzzy vision...but I also have a bright light as in a camara flash slide across my right eye when I close it...also have continuous fan-like flickering in eye. My left eye has big, bright and colorful vision...my right eye is getting foggier every month plus things look dull and closed in. I do have some scatoma in my peripheral vision.
  Otherwise, they say my eye looks fine, but they just can't figure out what's causing the loss of vision. Oh, my opthamologist said the angiogram revealed a little hemmorhage in the retina but the small amount of blood would be absorbed in time. He doesn't think that means anything. Last night I found an Amsler Grid on the web. My left eye saw everything clearly but my right eye saw wavy lines and distortion.
  Last week my opthamologist said my vision is getting worse everytime I come in (once a month) and my neurologist said he's sending me to a neuro-specialist at the University Eye Center. What does it sound like to you?  Could it be macular degeneration afterall?
  Thank you for whatever response you can give me. I really appreciate your website.

[HFHS M.D.-NI]

Posted By HFHS MD - NI on June 11, 1999 at 07:19:56
It seems like there is definately something wrong since there is some blood in the retina and since you noticed differences on the Amsler grid.  The Amsler is good at picking up subtle macular problems but can also pick up other things.  Generally macular degeneration is fairly easy to see on examination and angiopraphy so if your doctor did not see it, I doubt it is there.  Diabetes or high blood pressure may cause some bleeding in the retina as can many other things.  
I cannot be more specific without seeing you.  You should see the neuroophthalmologist and get his or her opinion.
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Can it be Macular Degeneration? Fred cross 6/14/1999
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Re: Can it be Macular Degeneration? HFHS MD - NI 6/14/1999
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