tiny black spots in vision

[crowmedicus]

For over four years now I have had dozens of small blacks spots and lines in my vision, the spots are the same in both eyes; they move where ever I look and never change position. (if you can remember a time where you have seen carbon or ash floating off of a fire, that's what these spots look like, imagine seeing those every minute of the day for years). I have seen three ophthalmologist's now and they all say there is no defect of the eyes, no floaters, no abnormal pressure, no signs of retinal damage;swelling or compression and no explanation for why this is happening. These spots developed instantly and spontaneously; they haven't progressed or reduced. I have other symptoms that developed at around the same time and because of those I'm currently being evaluated for pheochromocytoma or hyperthyroidism but I don't know if my eyes problems are truly related; although they did develop only a few months after the onset of my other symptoms. Does anyone have any ideas as to what is causing these spots, they are not scotoma's or floaters, the best guess from my most recent ophthalmologist is that they are the result of some type of visual cortex defect.

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

"Let it go and deal with it" is a good game plan.

JCH MD

[crowmedicus]

Dr. Hagan thank you for your input and consideration. I have researched your suggestions and I don't believe any of them match up with my issue, I thought it might have been some kind of 'Purkinje image' reflection of the blood vessels, but it couldn't be due to the fact I see the 'same exact' image in both eyes. Hyperawareness also couldn't be the case due to the fact they never go away, if it we simply hyperawarness then I'd have to have at least some points in time where I don't see them. Also anxiety as a suggested cause doesn't make sense because I'm not chronically anxious; yet I have the spots constantly. I suppose visual snow could be the case, however the images I see are more like a shadow (dark and translucent) so I don't know. I guess I just need to let it go and deal with it.

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

Since you've had them 4 years and they haven't developed or changed into anything life or sight threatening they are not likely serious espcially with the normal eye exams. They are not characteristic of pheocho---- or hyperthroidism. No way to tell for sure but I would suggest like hyperawareness of entopic phenomena with a heavy undertow of anxiety.  Another thing which has been discussed here at length is "visual snow" which I personally have never seen a case or complaint of.

Suggest you use the search feature and archives and read about entopic phenomena and visual snow and also the sections on same at wikipedia.

JC MD