Eyesight milky ??

[moorebob]

My left eye suddenly went blind. I was left looking thru a white milky film and was totally blind in that eye. It lasted about 2 minutes befroe clearing from the top of the eyeball down, I could see this happening untill the eye was again clear. No pain, just fear ? There was no forgien object in the eye, My wife could not see anything wrong by looking into my eye ?? I hope that does not ever happen again. I'm male, 68, healthy.

Any help at all really appreciated.  thank you.

[JohnHaganMD]

Safe travels

[moorebob]

Yes, now that the penny has dropped and opened my eyes ???? it would be prudent to stop my experiment in not taking my meds. I feel some relief that this may have in some way contributed to my eye problem, but i will be interested to visit my GP on return to New Zealand early September. I thank you for your interest and replies John.

[JohnHaganMD]

Unless you're worried about GI Bleeding in a foreign country it would seem that staying on your usual anti-inflammatories would be indicated.

[moorebob]

Thank you John I will do that, I do feel fine but a little worried. but first I have taken anti-inflamatories ( 100mg Diclofenac) every day for years for my Arthritis but since being in China I have tried to cut down, this month for eg I have taken on only 4 days out of 16 when really nessesary, I wonder if those missed days has contributed to this eye ? condition.

Kind regards.

[JohnHaganMD]

Consider taking a low dose baby aspirin daily.

[moorebob]

Thanks John, I have had no probs since this experience last Sunday. I am in China and unable to see a DR until I return to NZ 5th September. if I have any side effect it may be a slight headach which Iv'e had for about a year ?? My blood press is 115/63 ish.and Ive had slight balance probs in the past, vertigo ? I have had elevated choleserol but its been managed. I'm 65 kg, 5 ft 7in. fit, gym 5 days a week.for 20 years. I did have a badly swollen leg 2 years ago after decending from altitude, it dispersed after a few days.  I have googled the problems you sent to me here....I eat well non fat etc..I will not ignor this but need first to retrn to NZ, regards..bob

[JohnHaganMD]

You need to treat this as an emergency. It is never normal at your age. The problem is called "amaurosis"  and can be due to serious disease of the heart, blood vessels, brain, blood or eye. You need to contact your personal physician immediately and get in to see him/her as soon as possible. You also need to see an ophthalmologist Eye MD as soon as possible. Hopefully your personal physician can arrange an emergency consult on Monday. If you have any problem like trouble with speech, balance, thinking, trouble moving your arms or legs call 911 immediately.  This incident increases the risk of stroke.  Go on wikipedia.com or WebMD and read about "amaurosis of the eye" and "transient ischemic attack" (TIA) DO NOT IGNORE THIS