I have a blister on my fovea

[rombom]

Hi, about 2 months ago I started to get obscured vision in my left eye, it started off as just a small like blur then gradually got more obscure. I will try to briefly explain how it affects my vision,,,, it’s like a small tear drop that just sits in front of my eye and distorts only part of my vision all the time now. I went to have my eyes tested about 5 days after and had a full eye examination, they said my eye site was better than 20 / 20, however on a simple test which was a piece of lined squared paper with a small cross in the center, I had to cover my right eye and concentrate on the cross on the middle. The cross was clear but some of the lines / squares around it using my peripheral vision were missing or broken. They referred me to go to hospital a few weeks later to see the eye specialists. In between this time my eye got more obscured and I noticed that when driving at night I could not see very well it seemed to be affecting my whole vision. I went to hospital where they done the normal letter test covering both eyes, that was fine again, then sat with the eye specialist who looked at my eye and could not see anything from the outside. They then took some sort of x-ray of my eyes and they noticed a small like blister on the back of my eye the Fovea. At first the Dr said he did not know what it was so went to get another doctor. The other Dr said that this is not a common thing and that there isn’t anything they can do to it and suggested that I come back in 3 weeks. 3 weeks later I go back and have same tests and it is still the same if not more obscure to me. they said again they cant do anything or give me anything but to just sit and wait to see if it will go on its own, and to come back in 8 weeks now.. Anyway I am getting frustrated now and have been looking on the internet trying to find answers. Can I take any form of Anti inflammatory to stop this or is there any form of operation I can have. Please can  you help me?

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

You may have central serous chorioretinopathy - you can look it up on e-medicine or google.  If that is what you have - it usually gets better with time, on its own.  Even if it gets better, it may still leave some mild permanant damage and can occur again.  If you are on steroid pills, injections, inhalers, sprays, you may want to seriously consider stopping if  possible as they can worsen this condition.  You could something different as well but I don't have enough info from you.

MJK MD

[rombom]

Hi again. Thank you so much for getting back to me. I have looked up serous chorioretinopathy and have found you to be right on the nail so to speak. i have attached this link as thiss iss the same as i saw when i had my x-ray. I really hope mine goes asi wouldnt wish this on anyone....

(Link)......http://www.stlukeseye.com/Conditions/CSCR.asp

Ps,i have never taken any steroids or injections etc, Never have done. But yes that picture on this link is what they showed me with my xray . This condition really does obscure my vision. Can they give me something to help get rid of this. What would you do.? Oh im nearly 33 years of age male. I do smoke not heavy. Dont drink a great deal at all. I use computers a fair bit. Playstation 3. Could this make my condition any worse.

I look forward to your response. Thank you.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Stop smoking, stop drinking, exercise daily, eat right, take daily multivitamin, get plenty of sleep, learn to reduce your stress, consider something like yoga or running to help you relax.  COndition should improve on its own - but can return.  Related frequently to excess stress or circulating stress hormones like cortisol.

MJK MD

[rombom]

Thank you so much for all your help. I have found your information to be of great help.

This web site im sure will help many others.

Thanks again.

[naomik]

I too have CSCR. I am 36, female, and have tried to all the factors I can to reduce stress.  Have you ever heard of using a cortisol reducing drug to help the effects and if so which one or ones would you recommend?  My cortisol is in normal range but my retinol specialist at Mayo said my body may still be over reacting to cortisol in my system so a cortisol reducing drug could be tried although he would not prescribe on to me so I have an appointment with  my primary this week.  

Do you know of any clinical trials of any sorts as well? I have not other medical issues and I do not take any meds. thanks for your advice

[chrislav]

I am curious where I might read more about the effects of inhalers/sprays on this condition.  After heavy use of an over the counter nasal spray for allergies/sinus issues, I had my first occurrence of a juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization associated with high myopia.  My retina specialist didn't see any connection to the nasal spray, but it seems awfully coincidental.