Strange image

[robinn37]

About nine months ago, I started seeing a strange image with my left eye after I try to focus on a close object without my reading glasses. It’s shaped like a circle with a very small circle in its center, with lines radiating out from the central small circle, like spokes on a wheel. Even with my reading glasses I sometimes notice it after doing close work (but surprisingly, not after reading). The image persists in my vision for a few minutes, then disappears. However, even when I am not doing close work, I also can see the image (but without the “wheel spokes”) against a light or bright background when I move my eyes quickly from side to side, although it only appears for a fraction of a second, as I move my eyes. It is not a floater. My ophthalmologist could find nothing wrong. He suggested I see a retinal specialist for my own peace of mind but strongly doubted the specialist would find anything. Any ideas? Thank you.

[robinn37]

Sorry about the double post but I don't think I entered the correct name in the "To" box in my previous post. Dr., thank you for your response. I’m confused as to why you say the image sounds exactly like a floater; perhaps I’m not describing it clearly. It doesn’t behave like a floater at all (I have many of them, mostly in my other eye). To add some information, about 6 years ago, a had a macular pucker (which resolved spontaneously), and the image I saw from the pucker looked similar to this image, in fact I fully expected my ophthalmologist to say I had another one. Also, about 10-15 years ago I had an MRI that showed I had a slightly enlarged pituitary gland. Could pressure from the gland on my optic nerve cause this symptom?

[robinn37]

Thank you for your response. I’m confused as to why you say the image sounds exactly like a floater; perhaps I’m not describing it clearly. It doesn’t behave like a floater at all (I have many of them, mostly in my other eye). To add some information, about 6 years ago, a had a macular pucker (which resolved spontaneously), and the image I saw from the pucker looked similar to this image, in fact I fully expected my ophthalmologist to say I had another one. Also, about 10-15 years ago I had an MRI that showed I had a slightly enlarged pituitary gland. Could pressure from the gland on my optic nerve cause this symptom?

[Timothy D McGarity, M.D.]

Hi,
I sounds exactly like a floater, especially the way you described it as being tethered to your eye movement. It could be a visual aura or some other migraine or neurologic phenomenon but I doubt it. Get the second opinion as I think this is a reasonable next step.
Best wishes,

Timothy D. McGarity, M.D.

201 W. Broadway
Building #4
Columbia, MO 65203

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573/441-7070 work
800/220-7070 alt.