sudden blindness

[eonkshabonk]

I will be having an ordinary day and out of no where my back neck and top of head start hurting---bad then my eye sockets feel sore and I lose my vision for about 30 minutes or so. It could be discribed as this; if you were to look into the sun and look down, its very blotchy and I feel very anxious I assume cause I cant see. I've been dealing with it for a few years and it used to come with no pain at all. I used to chalk it up as an optical migrane but now with the back and neck pain I wonder if it could be something growing thats causing the pain and blindness I'm 24 now and it started when I was 16.Please help me I have an 18 month old so I'm scared and I dont want to go to the doctor if I dont have to because I'm pretty broke! Thank you!!!!!!

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

You are welcome.

JCH III MD

[eonkshabonk]

Thank you for your attention. I am my sons only parent left so I will do whatever it takes to be there for him as long as I can! I apreciate your advice as I do have insurance ,but in this modern money society even 30$ co pay is alot to a single mother!! Now I know what dr to go to so I dont have to pay it twice! Thanks again!!!!!!!

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

You are so important to your 18 month old that you cannot afford to ignore something that might threaten your health and your ability to provide for your child.

Hopefully you have insurance and that should cover most of the costs of evaluation. If you do not have insurance try and find a job with has good benefits including health insuranace.

I would suggest seeing a neurologist before seeing an ophthalmologist (ideally an neuro-ophthalmoloigst). At your age it likely is a migraine equivalent but you need a diagnostic work up and treatment.

JCH III MD