My Friend Is Really Worried About Her Eyes.

[Smowball]

About 2 months ago she started to have trouble with her vision. She was having difficulty reading her mobile phone - everything seemed blurry, and she was having trouble making the apps out on the screen. She wears glasses anyway but this was even with her glasses on. Then the TV became blurry - she couldn't make out figures v well at all. She had no pain whatsoever. Gave it a week then went to her doctor. He diagnosed visual migraines, and said they would go on their own within a week. Well the situation got worse - she was now having problems reading car number plates.  After another week she was sent to Boots optician for a thorough eye test. They could see nothing to concern them, and also said it must be visual migraines, but to not drive till it clears, and to go back to her doctor if still no better in another week. Which she did. Doctor now said it could be neurological, and sent her for urgent referral at Moorfields eye hospital in London, which was yesterday.  She was seen by an ophthalmologist, who said she couldn't see anything behind the eye, but that she had spots on both irises, which were unusual and that she hadn't seen this particular situation before, and that as she was unfamiliar with it she would like to discuss the situation with her senior and get back to my friend as soon as she can.

My friend, as you can imagine, is worried sick as this has now been a couple of months, she still cannot drive, and nobody seems to know what it is. She still has no pain whatsoever, but just everything is very very blurred - she cannot read, drive, use her phone very well....

Has anyone ever heard of anything like this at all?? My friend is 47 btw.

[evadora]

I hope your friend finds out what the problem is soon.  It must be very worrying.  All I can think of is she Diabetic?? Has she started taking any new medication recently?  Did Boots do the photos of the back of the eyes (my optition does this every year as I am diabetic then 6 mths later I have a similar test on the NHS which is more in depth).  Other than that I can't think.  I hope she finds an answer soon.

[Buenchico]

Pure guesswork but . . .

If there's nothing wrong with the optical systems within your friend's eyes, the problem might be with the way that her brain is processing the information that it gets from them.  If I was in her position, I'd be pushing for an MRI scan of my brain.

https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/brain-tumour-signs-symptoms/adult-brain-tumour-symptoms/changes-vision/

[evadora]

Very good idea ^^^^^

[Sqad]

With the post that you have provided, nothing sinister springs to mind.

I can only suggest that she has one or two benign sceral naevi which are almost always no big deal.

No need for the cavalry at this stage.

[Smowball]

Sorry for late reply - no she isn't diabetic. This has come completely out of the blue.

[Canary42]

Last June I (79 at the time) suffered a TIA which has left my vision permanently impaired. I will never drive again.

I had been to an optician with partial blurred vision and they suspected a TIA and got me an immediate referral to the hospital where a Head Scan discovered that a blood clot on my brain was the culprit.  (I'm a bit surprised Moorfields didn't consider that possibility)

That's not to say your friend has anything as severe as that, so don't get too alarmed.

Your friend has my total sympathy - I am a bit surprised she hasn't been referred for a scan.  I hope things work out for her.

TIA= transient ischaemic attack or "mini stroke" 

[Smowball]

Canary, I'm surprised she hasn't been referred for a scan already either. 
BTW she also has M.E (chronic fatigue syndrome)

[Smowball]

Canary, hope you're as well as possible now x

[Canary42]

Yes thanks Smow, no further deteriorisation so apart from irritation of not being able to drive I'm fine.

[ubasses]

Has she been sent for any blood tests.  I am currently under Moorfields for a problem that is getting worse and the first thing the Consultant did was send me for blood tests and an MRI brain and orbital scan looking for any underlying anomalies.

[Smowball]

Hi ubasses. Yes she's had blood tests which appear to be all ok. Still stunned she hasn't had a scan tho I am hoping that she gets a call in a few days to go for one.