Seeing Things

For a Week now I have been seeing a gray patch in my eye. It is not real big and not right were I am looking but off to the side a little. It is just in my left eye. It looks like I have looked at the sun But I have not.
The eye doctor looked in my eyes with drops and said everything was all good no retna probs ect.
He said something about migraines but I have those and this is nothing like that. Besides it has been a week and mirgranes are just for a few hours, right.
Do you know what this might be? I have floaters too and it is not that because it does not float.
I am just curious and a little nervous by it.

[John C Hagan]

[John C Hagan]

I share your concern. Floaters move and if this spot is stationary and always in the same place then it suggests the problem is in your retina, less likely but possible would be the otic nerve.

The type "eye doctor" you need is a Eye MD or Ophthalmologist. Specifically I would suggest a retina surgeon. You may need a test called a fluorosceine angiogram (a photographic test) as well as Amser Grid test and a Visual Field test.

I would persist in searching for a diagnosis and getting additional opinions.

I would be interested in knowing the results of these special tests. Please post for readers the diagnosis when established.

JCH  MD  

[mathildaj]

thank you for repling to me. I did see an opthamologist. Me PCP sent me there. She said (the opthO) that my eye looked just fine. If there was anything wrong would'nt she have seen it?

[John C Hagan]

Without the special tests I've listed it is possible that a small area of retinal or optic nerve inflammation, leakage, neovascularization might have been overlooked.

If the problem persists and is troublesome I would ask for a second opinion from a different ophthalmologist.

It would not be inappropriate to print out this forum exchange and take it in to discuss with the ophthalmologist giving you a second opinion.

JCH MD

[mathildaj]

thank you again. I will ask for that test. I did have something where my eye was scanned or something. i don't know what it was called but the layers of my eye came up on a screen that the doctor was looking at . it was'nt a photograph more like a cpmuter image. do you know what that is? would that be as good as the test you said?

[John C Hagan]

[John C Hagan]

Because so many tests are computerized and digitilized I can't tell you for sure. It might have also been a test called OCT (optical coherence tomography) which is a new test that shows great promise in ocular diagnosis.

JCH MD

[mathildaj]

i think it was called an A or B scan????

[John C Hagan]

Both A scan and B scan ultrasonography are good tests and mean that they've looked for an answer over and above what is done with a 'routine' examination.  Nevertheless the above recommendations still hold if its still a problem. Good luck.

JCH MD

[mathildaj]

i just found out that the test i had was an OCT - the doctor didn't mention any problems on that. he would tell me, wouldn't he?

[John C Hagan]

An OCT is a state of the art test for looking for eye problems. Normal practice would be to tell a patient if any abnormalities are found. You could call his/her office tomorrow, ask to speak with his nurse or technician and have them look at the best and confirm that it was normal. We do this all the time for our patients.

JCH MD

[mathildaj]

Thank you again. I will do that tomorrow. He was kind of avasive - I said, how do my eyes look, and he said, "better than most people I see." But since he was a doctor for people with serious eye disease, I didn't think that was reassuring.