Visual field test

[silkcut]

Hi all

Well, out of left field (haha) the neuro's sending me for a (Humphrey) visual field test, appt in early March.

I'm not sure why because I've just read that glaucoma and MS patients are often sent for this test I don't have glaucoma and MS isn't a consideration apparently.

But I've been complaining about eyesight since the cerebral event, but the deficits in vision occur specifically according to neck position and what I assume to be vascular occlusion/nerve compression and resulting intracranial pressure.

I found a very pukkah test online and thought it'd be useful for fellow Limbolanders:
http://www.testvision.org

It was constructed by medical researchers at:
St Paul’s Eye Unit
Royal Liverpool University Hospital

and they're using online data in their research.

But I'd like to hear about people's experiences of VF tests. Why did you have a test and what did they find, for starters?

I did the online test and apart from 'missing' a blind spot (which might be interpreted as having no blind spot seeing as I saw the dot in that area!), my VFs seem fine!

So, is this test a waste of time? Or will it how anything conclusively?

samxxx

[bigbird1976]

Hi Sam

Yeh it is a definately a FULL shunt as reservoir into the cyst and then a pathway ( i call hose ) from cyst all the  wway down into the stomach cavity to drain the fluis with a little usb hub thing at the base of the head to control the flow / pressure..

So yeh its FULLL on.....

Tried all the easyier options.. while as an in patient i will have an mri also to check again for more spots ? MS ? The spinal cord...

Alot of tinngling pain in hands and feet lately..


Chat Soon
Helen BB

[silkcut]

Thanks for your updates, Theresa and bigbird. It sounds like they're taking the pressure anomalies seriously, T, which is reassuring and probably also another cause for some anxiety. Also BB, I was wondering about the possibility of a drainage system when I read your first post here. Are you definitely going for the shunt?

I chickened out of the eye tests yesterday. I just didn't feel strong enough or well enough to go through the hassle of shlepping to the big hospital, then having to wait ages and then interact with offhand technicians and be prodded about.Not to mention the impossibilities of parking etc. Plus I did the online tests again and there seems to be some subtle vision loss - in the area that correlated to the blindness I experienced when I had the stroke...that our wonderful doctors persist in ignoring...

So I sort of think, well, it's been like this for more than 5yrs...it's not exactly going anywhere! Another couple of weeks won't make that much difference now! The damage has been done already by initial misdiagnosis.

My lovely D-I-L and I just stayed home and had a nice lunch and a good chat - far more therapeutic. She rang the hospital to rebook and braved the arsiness of the people at the end of the phone. Bless her.

next up are the MRI/MRA scans. I shall have to be strong enough to go for those...

huggs
samxx

[bigbird1976]

Hi Sam
So the 22nd has passed and and i also had a ventriculargram as  the EYE pressures were normal, and the brain pressure was normalish.. So i had the scan and and yet again the cyst has filled up again and is partially blocking the 3rd and 4th ventricle,  the only option after alot of consideration to save  the sight thats left is to have neurosurgery and have a full shunt put in with a pathway from cyst to drain into the stomach cavity,,

Only had the cyst deflated / drained in Oct last year.. For it to close up and fill already is frustrating.. I had all within limits yesterday pressures.. Dont understand how that could be ? Dont have much faith in these results as i had such blurry vision yesterday..

This will hopefully give me A considerable less headache to live with..At least

Its keyhole as they say only 11 staples at the back of the head he he

So its PANADOL only until the 25th march,, going to be a long days the next few weeks..

Chat Soon

[StormyRenee]

Hi,
Well it was normal and so was my eye pressure....The doctor was a bit confused by this because the pressure was 28 before.  I have to go back on the 12th and have my eye pressure tested at various time over the course of the day. 8am, 12pm,and 4pm.If it is normal all 3 times then we just have to keep an eye on it and re-test like 2-3 times a year in between my normal eye exams.....

Good Luck and keep me posted.....
xxxxxxTheresa

[silkcut]

Hi Theresa

Sorry I lost the way here..>!  

Forgive me if you've posted elsewhere: but what did your VF test come back with?

am off for mine tomorrow,

samxx

[StormyRenee]

Hi Sam,
Now I am having this done next Friday because of possible Glaucoma....$hit can change so quickly....

xxxxx Theresa

[illinwithoutacause]

hi sam,

both my rheumatologist and neuro-ophthalmologist have said it's probably some form of autoimmune disease that is causing the inflammation in my optic nerve arteries.  after my rheumie visit yesterday, i don't know if it will ever have a precise label.

take good care,
binx

[silkcut]

Hey ladies! Thanks so much for your kind wishes and also food for thought on this particular test.

Yes, binx, good point: I suppose that it does test optic nerve function, so it's a good thing to test then. Do you know what's causing the blood flow issues you suffer? Or rather, do you have some explanations that the docs haven't come up with?

But even then, as you say bigbird, the test may come out showing vision loss but they still don't know why! Do they tie up your cyst with vision disturbance? Seems most logical to me. bestest good vibes for the 22nd!

As I said, there was no explanation for this test but let's hope it's useful at least in ruling stuff out.

What did you all think of the online test? I thought it was remarkably good. Amazing what one can do online these days ;-)

hugs to all - you're all such sweethearts!
samxxx

[StormyRenee]

I too am not familure with these tests...
But am sending you happy thoughts and hugs...
xxxxTheresa

[bigbird1976]

Gday i should say

I have had both visual field test to test the optical nerves and macular field testing
and as my eyesight has deteriorated on the right sidec  but the tests remain abnormal all along even though i have lost sight AGAIN.. the results were the same 3 mths ago.

The tests have told me nothing new..OR explain why i continue to loose sight
can only read the top line of the eye chart on the right eye.
The left eye is perfect...

I did have a new ct scan done and it showed a reaccumulation of fluid in the cyst after only having it drained 4mths ago.... AAAARgh so frustraing..

Quite a costly test. Have you checked the price ?

Let me know how you go ?

I have the Neurosurgeon on mon 22nd .. Yet again

Chat Sooon
Helen

[jibjen]

Hi toots,

I know nothing about this test..I am sorry...but I am sending you best wishes with the test! Please let s know the outcome ;o)

Jibby

[illinwithoutacause]

hi sam,

if this test will check the level of your optic nerve function, i don't think it's a waste of time.  if the suspected occlusion is of the vessels feeding your optic nerve, maybe they could check to see if there has been any damage via the visual field test??  like i have mentioned, i have bloodflow issues in my optic nerve arteries so that's what i'm basing this on.

just my stab in the dark as to why the neuro might be ordering it.

hope this finds you doing well,
best wishes,
binx