Vitreous Syneresis in 28/yo. Autoimmune or Neurological?

[rmv80]

Hello All,

I recently had a post in the auto immune section but wanted to post it here too.

I have had some body wide issues lately (3-4 months) but recently I've been experiencing what I though at first were floaters, but turns out is vitreous syneresis (from my most recent opthamologist visit).

I was recommended to a retina specilist who said he notices a slight contraction in my vitreous and changing in it's consistency. I have another appt with a different retina specialist next week for a 2nd opinion since 2 other opthamologists have said things look OK when doing a complete retinal eye exam.

These symptoms have presented themselves just over the past month or so. They are a clear, bubble like set of "things" that get into my field of vision when moving my eyes left and right. There are a few distinct floaters but they are very few adn far between. The bubble like things are there alot. Luckily they are really only visible against certain backgrounds and certain conditions (bright sky, white wall with alot of light in the room).

I can not find any link between this happening in a healthy 28 year old male and an auto immune or neurological disease. I had started taking Omega-3 and lipoflavinoid (for Tinnitus that came on recently). I halted each after I noticed these vision changes, is there any chance it's from those? Can anyone maybe point me in a direction as to what could be causing this to happen to me so young? Typically I was told it happens as part of normal aging. I have 20/20 vision and no issues seeing day to day (also has LASIK 4+ years ago). Also, opthamologist did a dryness test and said my eyes are critically dry. I am now taking Lotemax & Restasis daily. Here are a listing of all symptoms if they help. I have been to neuro, ENT, going to rheumatologist, had bloodwork etc...  I am more looking for a reason as to why i am having the vitreous syneresis at an early age and what could be the cause or if it could even be something else. Thank you for any help in advance!

List of all symptoms:
Symptoms
- Vision Problems

    * issues in darkness w/lights - halos & starbursts
    * sensitive to bright lights - images staying "burned" in line of sight for a bit
    * General vague focusing problems & occasional blurred vision
    * Floaters & Flashers
    * Vitreous Syneresis (diagnosed by opthamologist)

- Tinnitus (Occasionally rings substantially louder in 5-10 second bursts)
- Tingling burning in both legs (thighs, front of legs)
- Occasional tingling in shoulders/upper back
- Excessive Yawning (every 1-2 minutes)
- Facial & Head Pain/Fullness that comes fast
- Bright Red Skin Spots on Arms/Face/Body that never go away. Appear with flareups.
- Headaches
- Slight "out of it" feeling from time to time
- Chronically Dry & Red Eyes (schimer test)
- Very dry skin/thinning hair
- Red sores in corner of mouth
- One raised red lesion on leg for 1 month +
- Occasional Random Pain in hips
- Occasional Chest/Heart pain (like heart skips a beat)
- Bad acute lower back pain that shoots down legs (comes and goes over past 7 months)
- Bump in top part of cervical spine when bending head forward & extra "mass" in right side of neck.

Tests Requested
- CBC, Herpes Infection, Lyme, Vitamin Panel, Thyroid, Diabetes (Type I & II), Vasculitis
- Autoimmune (Sarcoidosis, Sjogren's, Lupus)
- Neuro(MS, Fabry's Disease)
- Migraines (atypical migraine?)

Recent Tests Already Performed
- MRI of Brain w/o contrast (1-2 tiny areas of increased non-specific activity. Neuro not too concerned)
- Evoke Potential

    * Visual (no response in either eye)
    * Auditory Brainstem & Upper Sensory (both OK)

- Full ENT given VNG balance test (OK)
- 4 Complete Retinal Eye Exams (by 2 separate opthamologists)
- 2 Auditory Hearing Tests (OK)

Current Status
Neuro - Wanted to send for spinal tap, but wanted a 2nd MRI and 2nd opinion first.
Opthamologist - Extremely dry eyes (results from Schimer Test). My vitreous humor is degenerating resulting in recent floaters/flashes.

- A few similar symptoms presented themselves back in the fall of 2005. Minor recurring symptoms over past 3 years, but this is 1st major re-occurrence.

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

The medication is not available and is in FDA testing.  If the vitreous was 100% fluid like water and not a gel like JELLO then it could not pull on the retina and tear it causing a RD.

JCH MD

[rmv80]

Thank you for the response.

Could you let me know what the name of that medication would be? Also, what would be the benefit of causing 100% vitreous degeneration?

Thank you for your time!

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

I agree with Berrywood.

they are working on a medicine that will cause 100% vitreous syneresis and its a good thing as it will eventually reduce the risk of retinal detachment and proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

JCH MD

[berrywoo]

I highly doubt that the cause of vitreous syneresis is autoimmune or neurological. It comes w/ age. Yes, you may be younger than most people who've experienced this, but it does not mean that it can not happen in younger individuals. Plus, vitreous syneresis is usually not a big deal.