Constant blurring in one eye

[russell903]

Neither the glaucoma specialist who did my filtration surgery, nor the retina specialst I've seen can answer me on this.  Since surgery, that eye has bursting effects that I can see with the eye closed or open.  this bursting is like a star burst.  Happens every two to four seconds.  Then, the upper quadrant next to my nose gets blurry and bloocks my vision.  Goes on day and night.  While that eye is 20/30, I try to wear a patch so that I dont' go crazy.  What is going on?  Do these symptoms suggest changing vitreous, damaged inside of the eye after the operation, an infection of the vitreous, or?  The retina specialist has looked many times at the eye and apparently cannot see the star burst effect. He's thinking it's macular edema, and has tried several eye drops.  The condition is worsening every day.  Help?
What can it be?  Driving me nuts.  Can't read, can't watch TV, can't drive due to the visual distraction, etc.

Help!  I'll do just about anything to get an answer.  Russell903

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

Keep looking because your Chicago land training programs are in many lists of top programs and I would feel comfortable going to any for a retina problem. However if you're happier traveling a long way then its your call.
JCH MD

[russell903]

Regarding the various nationally recognized ophthalmology groups in the Chicago area-none of them is ranked highly as a research oriented eye hospital/training ground, according to various ratings I've seen.  The nearest teaching hospital for such advanced capabilities is University of Iowa.  Next nearest is University of Wisconsin/Milwaukee, and University of Michigan.  In Chicago there are highly recognized clinical specialists, but not groups in a teaching hospital environ, from what I've found.  No doubt doctors rate things differently than us laymen, or the media who publish those ratings.  Just very odd that a big city like Chicago doesn't have notoriety in the eye disease areas.  Russell903.

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

You can refer yourself to Mayo's on their website.

Actually in Chicago: Northwestern, Rush, U of CHicago and Loyola and U of IL all have nationally known and respected ophthalmology departments.

JCH MD

[russell903]

thanks for the advice.  I do believe I have a multi layered problem.  The vitreous is changing, there is said to be a epiretinal membrane across the macula, along with the aforementioned star burst effect. I worry that this eye will just collapse one day, because of all the visual distress that worsens daily.  I've seen a neuroophthalmologist last spring, but that was before the two operations and subsequent visual complications.  He tried to find what was then a lesser central vision spiralling effect; he found nothing.

Seems I'd be better off going to a teaching hospital, so as to address all the effects.  Here in the Chicago area, only the University of Illinois @Chicago has such offerings, but they are not highly rated.  Neither Northwestern, Rush, or U of Chicago appear to have well recognized ophthalmology specialty services, according to my searches.  But I'm going by published ratings for the ophthalmology specialty.  Does Mayo have a referral service?  Thanks in advance.  Russell903

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

I recommend you see a neuro-ophthalmologist Eye MD (the sherlock holmes of ophthalmology)  Find one near you at www.aao.org

No it doesn't sound like vitreous induced.

JCH MD