Bigger than normal or swollen optic nerve!?

[Erobles]

My eye doctor told me that I have bigger than normal (swollen) optic nerves. So scared right now. Could this mean intracranial pressure? Experiencing sudden change in my vision that comes and goes. Anyone else have this issue?

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

I too have TCS, do u know if u had urs b4 u had ur fusion surgery?

I can attest to the looking at something close and then trying to look far away...my eyes just do not focus like they should....plus, my night vision has been poor for many yrs and I no longer drive as this is part of it, along with depth perception.....

I am happy to hear u found a Chiari specialist...do they plan on doing surgery for u?

[QuiltingLady]

I also have trouble with my vision.  I recently saw a chiari specialist.  I was diagnosed with a mild CM, a herniated disc (this will be my 3rd fusion), and a tethered cord.  My vision gets quite blurry, often double, and I have difficulty when looking at something close then far.  I started wearing glasses 4 yrs ago and was told it was because of my age -now I know differently.  Now that I have an answer, I try to be patient when I can't see well.  I avoid driving at night when it is worse too.

[selmaS]

  The best way to approach it, is just go, tell him ur symptoms and see what he says and suggests test wise, if he does not offer more testing it is possible he is not a true Chiari specialist and just a NS that treats Chiari from time to time,...

If that is the case, it is best to leave and find one that is a true specialist....I say this bcuz I was sent to a Dr out of town and told he was a Chiari specialist, he spent 5 mins with me after making me wait over an hour past my scheduled time to tell me I had Chiari(which I knew) but it was above him and he could not suggest nething ....not even who to see next....so I learned not all r what they seem or claim,.

Be open minded.....and if he/she is offering the tests u expect....ask what he is looking for etc,...

DO not go in expecting nething.....and try to relax....no sense stressing over it....

We do have a list of ?'s for the NS in the Health Pages if u want to take a look......http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=186

[Erobles]

Finally seeing a neurosurgeon that specializes in Chiari this Tuesday. I just pray to God that he takes me seriously and  orders all the MRI's necessary to properly diagnose me. I'm praying to have the CSF flow study and MRI of the brain and spine. I'm so scared that he's going to tell me let's "wait and see" or treat me like the last 20 specialists I've seen! Any advice? What should be my approach. I feel like crying just thinking about it.

[selmaS]

  Yes...I had vision issues yrs b4 I got my Chiari dx...that along with back, leg, and foot issues....I always got HA's that came and went...so figured it was just me, but when the vision issues started I was told it was my age....just turned 40 at the time....so I was not sure that was the answer....

As Linny indicated it can be CSF pressure causing this, and those with Chiari will have a build up of pressure even for short periods of time.....

[linnielou232]

I never had a problem with my vision until after my surgeries, but now I am noticing a twitching some days or my eyes feel like they are not dilating correctly.  My Pc told me it's probably my age because I just turned 50 this past July.  Never knew your sight could change so fast.  Have you had surgery?  Because this could be be due to the pressure.  I used to cry just to let some of the pressure out before surgery, so If you haven't had surgery yet I would say yes to the pressure issue. Wishing you the best.
Linda :)