Referred to neuropthamologist

[mariedc]

Daughter 20 just had an eye exam with her opthamologist.  She reports seeing double when reading (letters doubled vertically on top of each other) that goes away when she covers one eye.  She can't quite remember when this started but it has been at least four months.   Her eye tracking is off--the movements of her eye side to side aren't smooth but jerky as far as I could tell.  She also had great difficult moving her eyes to track up or down.  In addition, the doctor was unable to correct her vision (around -5.5 in each eye) to 20/20--he could only get to 20/30.  That does not sound bad to me, but he said it was not normal.  

He is referring her to a neuroopthamologist and wondered if any of the medications she was on could cause these symptoms.  As far as he could tell structure of the eye etc were normal, but he said he didn't have all the specialist equipment needed for more detailed assessment.

What does this sound like it could be? Could medications cause any of this?  Thanks for any insights.

[Houman Vosoghi, MD]

It does sound neurologic and I would have her see a neuroophthalmologist if that's what her doctor recommended.  Some medications could have neurologic side effects but again a neuro doctor would be best to point out which if any of her meds could do this.  In the meanwhile you could research side effects of the medicines she is on and see if any match her symptoms.

HV

[mariedc]

Dr. Vosoghi,

Thanks for your response.  While she a little vague on time frame, it seems this could have started shortly after having a concussion following a seizure. (She was not medicated at the time as she had been seizure free for four years.) Could a post-concussive syndrome affect the eyes in this way?

MDC