Seizures and Weakening Vision?

Posted by Cathy on April 21, 1999 at 10:53:16
First off I want to give a little history.  I have a lazy eye.  I have been wearing glasses for about 26 years. Actually I am supposed to wear them.  I could never get used to them.  4 years ago I had several grand mal siezures.  Last year I had them again both of these episodes were following childbirth.  Between the 2 times i got new glasses with no-line bifocals and haven't worn them much.  After the last siezures I have been taking a high dose of Dilantin (500mg) My latest eeg show abnormal spiking so I still take medication.  I also take Zoloft, Synthroid (I am hypothyroid) I take folic acid and just found out I need B-12 because my levels are low.  I have been noticing a considerable weakening in my vision.  I have to use a magnigying glass to read labels and other small print and my glasses don't seem to help.  Is there any connections in my seizures, medications, or age (I am 38) that could have caused my vision to go down hill?  I should mention that I am farsighted in one eye and near sighted in the other. I was told that is why I can't adjust easily to glasses.  I also have mild sleep apnea.  I know this letter is all jumbled up but I just have a hard time explaining myself. if you can make heads opr tails out of this please answer my post with any advice you deem appropreiate.  Thank you.

Posted by hfhs md-jl on April 21, 1999 at 12:01:20
It sounds as though you are having most of your difficulty at near.  Some of the medications you are taking may affect your near vision and you may not have the appropriate strength in your bifocal.  Some people have difficulty with the no line bifocal so you may want to try a standard bifocal lens.  Also, if you do not plan on wearing the glasses for distance, you may want a pair of reading glasses only.  Of course your dilantin level should be periodically checked because that could affect your vision but you are likely suffering from early presbyopia related to your medications or your seizure disorder.  I hope this has helped.
This information was provided for medical educational puposes only.
Sincerely
HFHS M.D.-JL