Following up... I saw a Retina Specialist

[mjvantassell]

Hi!

If you recall I was the pt with Solar Retinopathy in my rt eye.  I saw a Retina specialist today as you suggested.  He says my retina is perfectly fine.  He did not even see the lesion the last Opthamologist saw.  He thinks the dx was not right.  I am perplexed.  He is sending me to another dr. in his practice for evaluation on my optic nerve.  Can I recap for you?:

I saw an Optician this last December for what I thought was a change for the worse in my vision due to a worsening stigmatism.  Immediately upon evaluation the dr. said I needed to see an Opthomoligist for what he thought was a macular hole.  I saw the Opthomologist in Dec. who told me he would classify what he saw after the OTC scan as solar retinopothy.  His notes indicated that I had a yellow lesion on my rt macula causing the problem.  

As you might recall, I have had worsening vision with new floaters in my left eye.  You suggested I get a second opinion. Today I saw a retina specialist who told me my retina was perfectly fine along with all other anatomy.  He said it was normal and recommended I see a dr who specializes in optic nerve dx'ing.  

What could be going on?  Why would an optician tell me I have a macular hole and an opthomolist tell me I have a lesion, and a retina specialist tell me I have NOTHING wrong.  I am so frustrated, I have no clear dx, and my vision is still deteriorating I feel.  My vision today I am told is 20/100.  I am frightened to say the least.  Please tell me if you think I should follow through with the optic nerve specialist and why you think the retina specialist would send me to him.  

I appreciate your time very much!  Thank You Kindly!

MJ    

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

Yes yellow spots can come and go. Examples: hard exudates (lipids), cotton wool spots, localized areas of chorio-retinitis.

Yellow spots due to hard and soft drusen can change over time but the time flame is longer.

JCH MD

[mjvantassell]

One question for you...

Could my first Opthomologist have really seen a yellow lesion and it's gone away now?  I am concerned that he never really saw one and gave me something to hang my hat on for the short period of time until he could see me again.  If it was you, what would you do?  Would you request your records and have them looked over again.  I did not take my previous records with me to the visit yesterday with the new Opthomologist.

Thanks Again!

[mjvantassell]

Thanks!  I have an appointment with the Optical Nerve specialist next week.  I will report back.  I appreciate your time!!!  Thanks!

Frustrated, MJ

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

There is a world of difference between the training of an optometrist and an ophthalmologist. Only the latter is an Eye MD with twice the training and many times the experieince.

Your problem could come from optic neuritis, a problem in the optic nerve or even a small stroke.. Follow their advise and work this through.

JCH MD