Does MC have anything to do with retinal problems?

desertrat · Post by **desertrat** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:34 pm

Last friday I was out of town (in California for my daughter's latin dance competition) and I noticed flashes of light and blurring/floaters in my left eye. Knowing better than to wait, I took a taxi to the nearest eye surgeon who informed me I had two small retinal tears and sent me down two floors to have a retinal specialist laser my tears. I am following up with my local eye doc today to check on the repair. Anytime something happens to me, I immediately suspect it is MC related, which is immensely aggravating to me, since I don't know if it truly is MC related or not!!! As to my question, has anyone here had eye problems after being diagnosed with MC? And what can you do to avoid further eye problems? Drops, vitamins, anything? This retinal tear has really thrown me for a loop.
Mandy

Post by **tex** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:02 pm

Mandy,

Yes, there have been many posts about eye problems associated with MC. Here are a few of the more recent ones:

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13262

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13372

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13943

Tex

desertrat · Post by **desertrat** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 2:54 pm

Thanks, Tex. I read those posts and they were all about infection or inflammation. Mine was a retinal tear. I was wondering if anyone here on the board has ever had a retinal tear before or after their diagnosis of MC?
Mandy

Post by **tex** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 4:42 pm

Yes I know - it was the closest I could get, unfortunately. I seem to recall one member posting about a retinal tear, but I'm not sure - I might be thinking of someone who's not a member. The point is, if retinal tears are related to MC, it's definitely not a common occurrence.

Tex

desertrat · Post by **desertrat** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 6:30 pm

Thanks, Tex. Just got back from the eye doctor for a followup. Everything looks good, the laser really sealed up the tears. I guess whenever I now get an illness, sickness, or infirmity, I naturally want to point a finger at MC. And the hardest part is deciding whether or not it is MC related. So annoying! LOL
Mandy

TXBrenda · Post by **TXBrenda** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 7:22 pm

Mandy,

Sorry you had retinal tears, but glad you were where they could be treated fast. In the last couple of weeks I experienced the floaters and blurred vision. My optometrist doesn't think I have a retinal tear but I have a followup appointment next month. I didn't experience the light flashing but was warned to contact him if I did.

I had been told several years ago a near sighted individual can be prone to retinal tears. Near sightedness results in the eye being shaped more like an egg and this causes the retina to be stretched. Definitely not an optometrist but my eye glasses prescription was very strong as a result!

Hope you continue to experience good results. In my case, most of the blurred vision & floaters have lessened quite a bit. My vision is almost clear again in that eye.

desertrat · Post by **desertrat** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 9:24 pm

Brenda, what you have/had sounds like a PVD, a posterior vitreous detachment. This is common in women over 40 who are nearsighted. The only thing about a PVD is it can become a tear, of which needs immediate attention. Anytime anyone gets floaters, with flashes of light and blurriness should immediately see a doc. No waiting! Most of the time it is a harmless PVD, but if it is not, and it becomes a tear (like mine) it could turn into a retinal detachment, which requires some serious surgery. Better to be safe than sorry. Also, for what it is worth, my eye doc said that if it happens in one eye, expect it to happen in the other (his time frame guess is 3-4 months). Also, make sure your optometrist is well qualified to catch PVDs. An eye surgeon, or opthamologist, is better trained to view these things, from what I have learned. Take care!
Mandy

maestraz · Post by **maestraz** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 8:56 am

Brenda, I had a vitreous detachment at the end of the summer, and still have an annoying floater. My eye doc attributed it to rubbing my eye too hard.

Mandy, I fit the over forty and nearsighted criteria.

I have also, in the last couple of years, begun to get ocular migraines, characterized by an arc of glittering light across the field of vision, which is present through both eyes, unlike a retinal issue that would only be in one eye.

TXBrenda · Post by **TXBrenda** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 1:59 pm

Suze & Mandy - Thanks for your responses.

My optometrist did diagnose PVD in that eye. I had forgotten what he told me until Mandy posted it. I failed to mention above that I did not see the flashes of light. I still have floaters but not like a few weeks ago. Best way to describe what I experienced is very small floaters every where in my field of vision in that eye. These were in addition to floaters I have had forever. Have worn glasses since before I started elementary school & had cataract surgery in 2009. Usually only wear my glasses to read. Since the PVD, I've noticed my vision is better with my glasses at times.

In this area several of the optometrists and opthamologists are part of a group of eye doctors. They refer patients to each other as needed. So far I have been pleased with the care I have received from these doctors. The optometrist did dilate my eyes when I saw him back in February.

Thanks again for the responses