SIDE VISION

Can you pleasel tell me what is happening.  My side vision is      gone, I have to turn my head completely around to see on the side.

Is there anything I can do to assist.

Also could this be caused by a cataract, for my vision is also blurred.  My doctor says it is iritis, and I am taking my glaucoma drop and pred-forte, but I have been taking pred-forte for 3 weeks now and it still cloudy and my side vision just recently got this way, it was not like this about a month ago.

Doctor is treating me with alphagan p and pred-forte for iriis, but it seem I am getting worse instead of better.

Please help

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

Hello less 1011   The main problem with glaucoma is loss of side vision, cataracts do not cause loss of side vision just an overall reduction of vision, blur and color and glare problems. Iritis usually causes pain, generalized blurriness, sensitivity to light.

Any loss of side vision is a very serious symptom that requires prompt attention. Some of the causes of loss of side vision would include retinal detachment, stroke, tumors, blood clots or marked worsening of the glaucoma.

First be sure you "eye doctor" is a Eye MD Ophthalmologist and not a non-physician, limited care eye provider (optometrist). If you are seeing an optometrist you need to get under the care of a physician Ophthalmologist immediately. If you are seeing an ophthalmologist (Eye MD) and have confidence in him/her call their office tomorrow, tell them its an emergency that you need to be seen because of the loss of vision. ASK THEM TO SCHEDULE YOU FOR A VISUAL FIELD WHILE YOU'RE THERE.

When you see your ophthalmologist you can ask for a second opinion or a referral to a uveitis (includes iritis) specialist.  Another option would be to see a retinal specialist, they are usually quite versed in taking care of iritis patients.

You should make every effort to be seen tomorrow Friday by an opthalmologist. It is not an exageration to call your condition a full blown emergency.

JCH III MD Disease and Surgery of the Eyes