Straight lines appear bent

[mjrich]

       When I close my left eye, Straight lines appear bent or curved in the right eye. My eye doctor sent me to a retina consultant; he did not find any macular degeneration, Retinal detachment or a pucker. He said he did not see any thing that would be the cause of my  symptoms.He sent me to Duke University eye center.They only found a few very small drusens that they felt would not be the cause of my problems.Doctor  Said lets just keep A eye on it and see if it changes. I still have a lot of anxiety about my eye .Do you recongnize any thing that would  cause  my symptoms ? could it be in the lens ? I am a white male 58 years old.

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

If the glare at night is new the most common cause would be early cataracts. Please use the search feature on this page and the Health Topics to read the extensive postings on how to treat dry eyes.

You will need to use a good artificial tears such as Soothe, Systane, Hypotears, Refresh  2-4 times/day.

Yes it is possible that you have had this distortion all your life. If it has not changed in a year the prognosis is good.

JCH III MD

[mjrich]

      One more question.I also see glare around lights at night,and my eyes feel dry a lot during the day. Would the helo/glare lead you to think my problem would be in the cornea.also the amsler test has not changed in close to a year.(could I have had this problem a long time and just not noticed it) Thanks,for the follow up.

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

The point I'm making is you have had several exams by excellent physicians that did not show up macular degeneration.

You might see a cornea specialist ask they to do corneal topography to rule out k-conus or astigmatism and rule out cataract. If that doesn't show anything then I would just monitor it with daily amsler grid tests.

JCH III MD

[drderf]

I would stay with the retinal specialist.  What you are talking about sounds like metamorphopsia.  If you really concerned find someone who specializes in macular surgery.

[mjrich]

     Would problems with the cornea show up when doctors are looking at the retina or would he have to do a  test ? My anxiety comes from the internet when you put in my problem,all that comes up is macular degeneration,but you think other things could also be my problem.What type of doctor would you see next. THANKS

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

You should be doing a daily Amsler grid to monitor the distortion and if it increases see one of your eye MDs immediately.

Your problem could be due to changes in the lens (cataract) or the cornea (scars, astigmatism). They should have checked for those problems also.

Watch it carefully, you are doing "watchful waiting" after an appropriate work-up.

JCH III MD