retinal bleed

[Susan615]

My 85 year old father was just told he has a retinal bleed.  The doctor told him everything else looked ok but he was concerned about the bleed.  
He asked him if he had diabetes and he has not had a history of that at all.  He has had heart problems for many years and 3 years ago had a septuple bypass.  The doctor told him to see his regular doctor and have him run some blood tests.  My daughter-in-law works for a different eye doctor and she said they do lots of tests and take extra pictures of retinal bleeds.  My question is should he have more tests from the eye doctor and what might cause this retinal bleed.  Thank you.

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

Generally you are best to go with an Eye MD that has looked in the eye. this comes up all the time. It depends on how the blook looks. If just a few splinter, flame "bleeding area" then a suggestion to rule out hypertension or diabetes or blood disorder is all that is necessary.

Likely save time and money by going with your fathers Eye MD recommendation.

JCH MD

[Susan615]

Thank you for your reply.  My father did see an opthalmologist but he only recommended he get blood tests by his regular GP for diabetes and hemoglobin.  My daughter-in-law works for a different opthalmologist who said he ususally does other testing himself during the actual eye exam if he sees a retinal bleed.  My father's opthalmologist said he was worried about it but then doesn't want to see him again for 6 months and just to follwo up with the GP.  Seems two opthalmologists are taking two really different approaches on this.  Right now the GP has ordered a some blood work.  I just don't know how concerned to be about it or if he should get a second opinion form a different opthalmologist or if this course of action is all that is warranted at this time.
Thank you!

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

If your father saw a MD eye physician ophthalmologist then he should have the tests the Eye MD recommended. If he saw a non MD optometrist and your daughter in law works for an Eye MD then I would suggest seeing him/her. If they both are optometrists then I would ask his regular doctor to refer him to an Eye MD ophthalmologist.
JCH MD