Eye blind spot suddenly appeared help?

[danimiles]

Just over a week ago I was struck down with a flu like illness and this was when a flickering developed in my vision. Although I am recovering from the flu I still have this patch of grey in my vision which won't seem to go away. It is distracting when using the computer or looking at screens. I can only describe it as like when you have had a photo taken and you can see the flash in your vision for a few seconds afterwards - only this is permanent.

I went to the optician who has now referred me to an eye doctor as she could see a shadow on my retina. The pattern she could see related to the pattern I can see blocking my vision. She mentioned macular dystrophy which was worrying in itself as that seems to be a permanent degenerative problem.

I am scared that this will be a permanent problem or will get worse and lead to blindness. Does anyone have any advice? It could be weeks before I get an appointment with the eye doctor I am worried about the condition worsening.

[danimiles]

Well over 6 months on I still have the same visual distortion... The eye doctors got bored and have left me to live with it... Shame there is nothing they can do to help or suggest. I don't even feel liike I have a firm diagnosis and can't seem to find anyone else in the world who has unilateral/bilateral acute idiopathic macolopathy....

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

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[danimiles]

Apparently UAIM usually spontaneously goes away or steroid injections are needed. It's strange you've had it for many years.

The angiography that I had done wasn't compliant with UAIM so I am still waiting on a firm diagnosis. Have another Angiogram next week.

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

Your problem doesn't sound like UAIM and suggest you see an Eye MD ophthalmologist, perhaps a retina specialist.

JCH MD

[Letsplaydoctor]

Ive had this since I was 11, i got my first spot then during s stomach flu. Now I'm 20 and I have about 10 of them in both eyes but not in the same place. Also waiting for a doctors apointment since I havent gotten any more Spots for 4-5 years until a week ago :( when i was 14 they couldnt see anything... I am also scared... Mine havent gotten away.

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

UAIM = unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy. Reference below

http://www.nature.com/eye/journal/v16/n4/full/6700044a.html

JCH MD

[danimiles]

Just for your interest they believe that what I have is UAIM and it came from the viral infection. Apparently its quite rare and two consultants were quite excited about it.

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

If it moves it is more likely to be a vitreous opacity (floater) as retinal, macular and optic nerve pathology "spots' don't move relative to the eye itself.

Bottom line you should see an ophthalmologist as soon as you can.  

JCH MD

[danimiles]

Thanks I am becoming more tempted to go straight to the hospital however my doctor has now referred me and marked the referral urgent so am still unsure whether to wait for an appointment...

The "spot" does move when my eye moves. It's always just below my central vision in my left eye. There's also a spot to the top right of my vision in my right eye. If I look directly at someone's forehead their chin will be obscured by the main patch in my vision (left eye).  

I am only 32 and have no family history of eye problems. Is there any chance this could just go away?

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

For fans of NHS eye can system in UK!  This is not a condition that should wait weeks before being seen by an ophthalmologist. This is a today or tomorrow type of problem.

A sudden "spot" in vision that comes up during an illness, does not move when the eye moves and is there all the time suggests problems in the macular, retina or optic nerve.

If the best the NHS can do is "weeks and weeks" consider trying to get in to an esteemed ophthalmologist that has private clinic.  Tests you may need include Amsler grid, peripheral vision, retina/macular OCT or fluorescein angiography.

If you are older and have other health problems the odds of a serious problem increase.

JCH MD