Slow degradation of my vision. Seeing a retina specialist

Posted by Bonita @bonitav, May 19, 2015

After a slow degradation of my vision, especially close as in computer usage, saw optician and after eye exam, received new lenses. Not much improvement, so I scheduled appointment with an ophthalmologist, who diagnosed very dry eyes, but with bleeding behind the retina in my left eye. Referred me to a retina specialist whom I see tomorrow. Any ideas what could be causing this other than retina detachment? About two years ago, had laser treatment for floaters. Wonder if this is related to that procedure. Can this also be related to a vascular problem? Thanks!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Eye Conditions Support Group.

@bonitav

@hopeful33250 Thanks Teresa. Will be thinking of you too and will check in later. Take care.

Jump to this post

Thanks Teresa @hopeful33250 for your supportive message, as you always do.

Believe it or not, this is my 3rd attempt to respond to your message; not sure what happens when it disappears, so excuse if this is a duplicate.. 🙂

My brother and I were close because he was 7 and I was 10 when our mother died. Our father was a double amputee (Buerger's Disease) so I was instrumental in helping care for my brother and helping with the housework. Thank goodness our Dad was a great cook.... from his wheelchair. After our Dad died when I was 15 and my brother 12, we were moved from relatives to friends, etc. When I went away to college, felt very guilty as I had been instrumental in helping him with his homework, etc. He later joined the Army.

Thanks for the link to the MRE article. After reading that, realized I probably have had that test.. sometime ago. Not pleasant but hope it provides my GI some helpful info. Will keep you posted when I get the results of that test... which may take some time based on my recent experience.

I hope things are going well with you. I know you provide much support to many and for that, you are indeed a blessing.
Thanks again.

Bonnie

REPLY
@bonitav

@hopeful33250 Thanks Teresa. Will be thinking of you too and will check in later. Take care.

Jump to this post

Thanks Rosemary @rosemarya for your supportive message.

I do understand the loss of a sibling especially when you're close and can't be there before their passing. Today I'm thinking about my brother as I so want to call him or have him call, as we normally would.

Happy to hear your vision treatments are working for you and hope that continues! Yes, I think I will learn more when I see my regular retina specialist next month. I'm so grateful for the expansion of treatments for vision problems.
Take care and thanks again!
Bonnie.

REPLY
@bonitav

@hopeful33250 Thanks Teresa. Will be thinking of you too and will check in later. Take care.

Jump to this post

Hi Bonnie @bonitav

Thanks for your response and your kind words. I'm sorry that you experienced the disappearing message - I'm glad that you persisted and got your message through!

Wow...you and your brother were very close - I can understand better the profound loss you must feel. He was like a brother as well as a son to you, given your history of your taking caring for him as you both were growing up.

I will be looking forward to hearing from you regarding the results of your MRE, I hope that it goes well for you and helps your doctor find some answers.

I recently had a repeat MRI for the pancreatic cysts and while they looked unchanged, there was a lesion on the liver. According to the radiologist it looked benign, however, I'm going to look into that further.

Keep in touch,

Teresa

REPLY
@rosemarya

@bonitav, I want to inquire about your visit to the retina specialist. Were you able to find out about the bleeding behind your retina? Is there any treatment for it? I was diagnosed with a blood seepage in my right eye, but I think it is in front of retina. My condition is branch retinal vein occlusion. I receive treatment and regular checkups for it. Rosemary

Jump to this post

Hi @peach414144... I just saw your post about the relationship between kidney disease, anemia and dry eyes. I have Stage 3 Kidney function due to vascular disease restricting blood flow to kidney. Thanks so much for posting that info; I'll speak with my nephrologist and retina specialist. Am anemic and very dry eyes... Restasis not helping much. Always attributed the dry eye to Crohns and malabsorption.
Sometimes it's hard to tell what's causing what, as you probably know.
Will try to stay in touch more often...
Bonnie.

REPLY
@rosemarya

@bonitav, I want to inquire about your visit to the retina specialist. Were you able to find out about the bleeding behind your retina? Is there any treatment for it? I was diagnosed with a blood seepage in my right eye, but I think it is in front of retina. My condition is branch retinal vein occlusion. I receive treatment and regular checkups for it. Rosemary

Jump to this post

hey there. i forgot to bring out the fact that i also have sjogrens disease which i think brings out the horrible dry eyes and moth, etc. take care and as my new opthamalogist says: "drink more water".

REPLY
@rosemarya

@bonitav, I want to inquire about your visit to the retina specialist. Were you able to find out about the bleeding behind your retina? Is there any treatment for it? I was diagnosed with a blood seepage in my right eye, but I think it is in front of retina. My condition is branch retinal vein occlusion. I receive treatment and regular checkups for it. Rosemary

Jump to this post

@peach414144, that's what my nephrologist says... drink 1.5 liters of water daily! I try. 🙂

REPLY
@bonitav

@hopeful33250 Thanks Teresa. Will be thinking of you too and will check in later. Take care.

Jump to this post

@hopeful33250, Teresa, You are absolutely right to stay on top of your health 🙂 I hope that you get another good report.
Rosemary

REPLY
@bonitav

@hopeful33250 Thanks Teresa. Will be thinking of you too and will check in later. Take care.

Jump to this post

Thanks, @rosemarya

Yes, Rosemary, if there is one thing we learned from Katherine - it's to be proactive and our own advocate!

Teresa

REPLY

Hello Bonnie, @bonitav

It has been several months since you last posted and I've been thinking about you. I know that you have posted about various health problems with your vision as well as digestive tract disorders - not to mention the passing of your brother last year. I hope that you and your family got through the holidays with as much good cheer as possible.

When you have time, please update us on how you are doing. We would love to hear from you.

Teresa

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.