vision update; cotton wool spots

[wyntre9]

Update on vision problems:

just got back from the Opthamologist.  I DO have cotton wool spots on the retina.  He took pictures and they were as clear as can be!  He kept saying, before the pics, after running some other tests, that the eyes looked strange.  That, on top of the pre-existing retinalschesis, may present a problem for continuing TX.

I'm scheduled to see a retinal specialist next week.

I know from the opthamologist exams I had prior to TX that there was never any mention of cotton wool spots.

Ironically, that is EXACTLY what they look like on the images.  So the episode on Sunday was probably caused by the new thingies on the eyeball.

I will not jeopardize my vision so I'm anxious to hear what the retinal specialist says.  For now, the opthamologist says i can continue treatment.

Just wanted to let everyone know what was happening.

wyntre

[wyntre9]

FYI,

Here's 1 more older (2004) study that mentions cataracts and hep-c.

wyn

[merryBe]

sorry to hear you got this news, especially this week, but lets hope and pray it goes away after treatment, like you said. That at least must be a relief to know.

merry Christmas!

mary

[wyntre9]

NP!

You're right about the shopping craze.  I never liked it before TX and I sure can't deal with it now.

wyn

[pitter]

oops,sorry, I had thought I got the idea that you did celebrate Christmas..
well, at least you don't have to deal with the shopping craze and the traffic!!!
Happy New Year!!
Pitter

[wyntre9]

i don't celebrate' this season, pit, at least not in any way that involves shopping.

eye thing has resolved for now but i still have to see a retinal specialist either next friday or the friday after to make sure the detachment issue is under control.

wyn

[pitter]

Hi,
did ya get yer shoppin done?
I hope that this all passes for you soon...
Merry Christmas
Pitter

[scubadiver30]

Hi wyntre
Thanks a lot for all the info.
I went ot my SS oftalmologist (not optometrist) but still anxious that after TX I get another issue an then another and another, and so on :-(
I don't have diabetes, HIV nor High blood pressure but both of my parents suffered cataracts in their seventies.
I don't know if I should link this cataract to IFN tx or to another hidden infection other than HCV.
My next appointment is in May
I'll keep you posted

regards
scuba

[wyntre9]

http://www.hcvets.com/data/hcv_liver/eyes.htm

http://www.accessmedicine.com/search/searchAMResultImg.aspx?rootterm=retinal+cotton+wool+spots&rootID=35410&searchType=1

cotton wool spots
small white areas in the retina caused by ischemic infarction of the nerve fiber layer of the superficial retina and due to occlusion of precapillary arterioles; do not threaten vision but can be indicative of a serious medical condition, such as diabetes, hypertension, cytomegalovirus infection, or HIV infection (AIDS)

http://www.hepcprimer.com/more/cornea-1.html

[wyntre9]

No, cotton wool spots aren't the same as cataracts.

From what I understand, the cotton spots are a fairly common SX of TX and usually go away after finishing treatment.

My problem is that I have borderline retinschesis which could involve a retinal detachment and possible blindness  That is very serious.

Having said that, if I hadn't had the cotton wool spot episode, i wouldn't have gone to an Opthamologist and now to a retinal specialist to check my vision.

if your blurriness continues, i would see a specialist, not an optomotrist.

Which Dr. DX'd your cataract?

wyn

PS - If you want, I'll post some links.

[scubadiver30]

Hi there
Are cotton wool spots the same as cataracts?
I finished TX 6 months ago (SVRd) but I still have blurry vision on my right eye.
It was 20/20 before I started
The doc diagnosed a cataract but I'm only 45, and he said If I wanted it removed he could do it asap..I told him I was on IFN+RIBA for 6 months (but he didn't even blinked) Wonder if he knew what I was talking about....The TX-retina hemorrage & vision bust thing, I mean
Got scared and waiting till spring..Taking vitamin A but still blurry...
Should I wait to see if it improves or should I go for the lasik?
Any advice will be appreciated

saludos y feliz navidad
scuba

[wyntre9]

Awwww . . . thanks 4C.  I just know it's gonna work out.  I'm so relieved i went for a consult coz it confirmed that I'm not IMAGINING this sh!t!

I read more about the retinal detachment condition last night and apparently people can live with it for years without it ever developing.  Thing is, once you do notice vision changes you need to get to a Dr. immediately coz the sight can go so quickly.

The original specialist DID tell me about that and i guess it stuck in my head coz all these years later, when it actually happened, I flipped.

The (new) specialist may discuss surgery with me but I'm in no frame of mind to even think about that.  As long as the situation is under control, I'll keep going on TX.  Almost done!  18 more weeks!

Man.  NEVER a dull moment around here!

wyn

ps - did you get the link I sent of wild scarlet mcCaws flying free in the netherlands?

[Forseegood]

I was sorry to read this, and I hope you do what's best for yourself of course...I wouldn't want you to jeaprodize your vision either...let us know okay?

[wyntre9]

Thanks Elaine,

i think it's gonna be ok.  Seeing those cottony things was an eye-opener to say the least but that's not the danger; it's more the retinal detachment stuff.

it is interesting, however, that I've never had cotton wool spots before and i have an eye exam every year so I would imagine that part at least IS caused by the TX and DID cause the loss of vision last Sunday.  (according to the opthamologist, anyway)

BTW - no massage for me.  After reading all the responses here I decided I better wait until TX is over.  I'm bummed.  i was sooooooo looking forward to it.

wyntre

PS - Just dawned on me ( a couple of weeks later) that you mentioned being bitten by Auryn?  Thought he had a new home?

[wyntre9]

Update;

Retinal Specialist appointment next week.

wyn

[wyntre9]

"i feel fine today" i realize that that means you only feel half dead as opposed to completly dead but ive never seen you say that before"

THAT'S not true!  It 's probably that you only logged in on my lousy days! (all 362 of them - yup, Dec. 23 marks the official one year anniversary of starting this treatment).

(JK)

TTTT, I think all the stress of the past year, the move, the career end, the money stuff, combined with the TX really strung me out.    but it's almost over!  Can you beleive we're saying it's over with a little less than 6 months to go when a lot offolk only do 6 months!

Glad you're having a good stretch, CW.  Maybe you can spend some more time with those horns, now.  :)

wyn

ps - hearing about Flguy's SVR is SUCH a boost, isn't it!



  

[cruelworld]

yea, i dont think anyone would knowingly risk blindness to clear the virus, thats pretty
extreme. i have read of one person who lost an eye and another who lost all vision,
if that doesnt sober you up, nothing will!
"i feel fine today" i realize that that means you only feel half dead as opposed to completly dead but ive never seen you say that before and im so glad for you!
its about time for you to get a good day huh? ive actually been on a fairly good stretch
of several weeks, can you imagine the luxury and thrill of such good luck? its so
good to be in our teens for shots left,  and i hope my treatment continues to get easier although i am expecting several months of hard times again before its over. it never hurts to prepare for the worst.

[wyntre9]

thanks CW.

You hit the nail on the head the other day when you referred to the cumulative effects of the meds possibly causing extra SX.

And I was glad I posted on Forum coz the issue is that if I get a certain type of vision problem it could signal impending blindness!  Man, that scares the sh!t out of me!  Although the Dr. today didn't think that was happening after he completed a peripheral vision test, he was concerned enough by those white things and visible scarring to want me to go to the retinal specialist ASAP.

I feel fine, today, but, as was explained to me several years ago and repeated today, the condition requires immediate intervention!

Never a dull moment, hey?  

the good news is (ONLY) 18 weeks to go on TX.

wyn

[cruelworld]

thats definately scary. i hope you can continue safely.

[wyntre9]

Yes, I know that (thanks to your links) and I believe the opthamologist does, as well.

He reffered me to a retinal specialist because of the possibility of retinal detachment from a pre-existing condition.  

From what I understand, there are/have been rare cases of vision impairment, even blindness, as SX from the meds.

i am very concerned about that so we will see what the specialist says.

It was strangely comforting to see those cloudy white things on the eyeball as it reassured me i wasn't losing my mind when i had that weird episode on Sunday.

Thanks Jim

wyntre

[jmjm530]

Cotton wool spots are common on treatment and usually go away when the treatment drugs are stopped. Hopefully your ophamologist knows this, but if not, you might want to research it out some and bring him the articles.


-- Jim