Aa
Rapid increase in astigmatism with headaches
I have been having headaches now for 8 months, every day, worsening with any kind of visual stimulation (computer, reading, TV) all of which I now avoid as the discomfort in my eyes has become unbearable.
I went to a LASIK doctor two days ago who checked my prescription now and compared it with my prescription history which I had taken along with me (3 different opthamologists checked my eyes because of the headaches in August 2006).
My astigmatism has jumped from -3.00 to -4.25 in my right eye and in my left eye from -1.25 to -4.75.
They checked me for kerakotonus and said I didn't have this and recommended me for PRK next week.
My neurologist also noticed some slight blurring around my optical nerve but said that I don't fit the type for benign intracranial hypertension.
My questions are 1) should I be having PRK if my prescription has jumped this much in such a short space of time?
2) Are there any links between the jump in astigmatism, the headaches and the nerve swelling?
3)Can stress make astigmatism worse?
4) Could my astigmatism change again for the better or the worse?
Any help you can give me would be much appreciated, I'm at my wits end.
I went to a LASIK doctor two days ago who checked my prescription now and compared it with my prescription history which I had taken along with me (3 different opthamologists checked my eyes because of the headaches in August 2006).
My astigmatism has jumped from -3.00 to -4.25 in my right eye and in my left eye from -1.25 to -4.75.
They checked me for kerakotonus and said I didn't have this and recommended me for PRK next week.
My neurologist also noticed some slight blurring around my optical nerve but said that I don't fit the type for benign intracranial hypertension.
My questions are 1) should I be having PRK if my prescription has jumped this much in such a short space of time?
2) Are there any links between the jump in astigmatism, the headaches and the nerve swelling?
3)Can stress make astigmatism worse?
4) Could my astigmatism change again for the better or the worse?
Any help you can give me would be much appreciated, I'm at my wits end.
sorry, no good guess in this case.
emotional stress has no bearing on amount of astigmatism...
Thank you. The majority of the astigmatism in corneal.
Can I take your post to mean that emotional stress has no bearing on this whatsoever?
Can I take your post to mean that emotional stress has no bearing on this whatsoever?
What would be your best guess or recommendation in this situation?
'1) should I be having PRK if my prescription has jumped this much in such a short space of time?'
this is a metter of opinion. you will find docs who will recomend YES and you will find docs that will recommend NO. it is my opinion that patients probably need to have the same rx over & over again for like 1.5 years before any refractive surgical procedure.
'2) Are there any links between the jump in astigmatism, the headaches and the nerve swelling?'
jump in astig and headaches...possibly. jump in Rx and nerve swelling...no
'3)Can stress make astigmatism worse?'
trick question. corneal astigmatism...NO. lenticular astigmatism YES, if the stress is 'visual' stress (not emotional stress)
'4) Could my astigmatism change again for the better or the worse?'
of course. no guarantee that any patient will or wont change later.
this is a metter of opinion. you will find docs who will recomend YES and you will find docs that will recommend NO. it is my opinion that patients probably need to have the same rx over & over again for like 1.5 years before any refractive surgical procedure.
'2) Are there any links between the jump in astigmatism, the headaches and the nerve swelling?'
jump in astig and headaches...possibly. jump in Rx and nerve swelling...no
'3)Can stress make astigmatism worse?'
trick question. corneal astigmatism...NO. lenticular astigmatism YES, if the stress is 'visual' stress (not emotional stress)
'4) Could my astigmatism change again for the better or the worse?'
of course. no guarantee that any patient will or wont change later.
You are reading content posted in the Eye Care Archive Forum
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
Eye whitening, iris color change, and eyeball "bling." Eye expert Dr. John Hagan warns of the dangers from these unnecessary surgeries.
Eye expert John Hagan, MD, FACS, FAAO discusses factors to consider and discuss with your eye care team before embarking on cataract surgery.
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
Protect against the leading cause of blindness in older adults
Got dry eyes? Eye drops aren't the only option! Ophthalmologist John C. Hagan III, MD explains other possible treatments.
