I too have been told that I have a "starburst" optic nerve

[kem9887]

Since I was a little kid I was always told that my optic nerves were considered "starburst". I recently saw a post on here with someone saying the same thing, and then everyone telling them they've never heard of it.

This is how it was explained to me as a child: where the optic nerve meets is supposed to be round and a smooth circle, and mine looks like crazy zigzags that form a circle (hence, a "starburst"). I was put through many tests everytime I went to the eye doctor because I was an unusual case (I have 20/20 vision and I guess this is abnormal for people with this) I was sent to many specialists, I had many pictures taken of my eyes. I spent hours at the eye doctor's office.

I've been trying to get more information on it because it does slightly scare me. My great grandfather also had the condition and he developed macular degeneration later on in his life. I'm not sure if they are related, but still, I like my vision. The only thing I know about this is what I remember as a kid. I can't find anything when I search. The only part of the actual medical name for the condition that I can remember is the prefix, "pseudo", which I'm sure doesn't help.

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

Sorry, best discuss with someone that has looked in your eye.

JCH MD

[kem9887]

the problem is I do not have one. Unless someone wants to give me some health insurance (since my company won't provide me with any) that would help!

It had nothing to do with swelling. Your suggestion of "pseudopapilledema" would make no sense, since I never had any of those issues. My mother can repeat the same thing I posted before: that my optic nerve is not circular, that it is fuzzy and looks like a 3 year old picked up a pencil with the wrong hand and tried to draw a circle. This is why it is referred to as a "starburst"..because it looks almost like a firework of some sort. It isn't something that has ever gone away. The last time I was able to visit an eye doctor he told me the same thing and wanted to run new tests since it had been years since I had the more specialized tests. That was two years ago. I know I haven't gone crazy and forgotten all about it or am making a mistake in what I am saying. If you are told you have any condition for over 20 years and had to miss DAYS from school to travel all around to have all these tests done, you'd remember.

How do two different eye doctors from two different states know what I am talking about (the two I've seen throughout my life. also, all the specialists I had to see as well), but none of you on here do and I can't find any info through searching? I understand that not every doctor knows every disease, but if several of my family members have the condition, I would think that it would be something you would have at least heard about.

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

Maybe it was "pseudopapilledema" follow the recommendations of your personal Eye MD.

JCH MD