is this typical?

[Sodalover]

I have lost some sight in my right eye, it’s as if there’s a blind has been pulled halfway down, so if I cover my left eye anything I look at I only half of it e.g if I look at someone’s face straight on I only see from middle of the nose down. Is this the usual way to lose sight with glaucoma?

[Cavapoochonowner]

Hello there How long has you had this?A few years ago I had a retinal detatchment.First I had loads of floaters like a rain shower,then one morning I woke up with part of my vision gone in one eye.This was years before I was diagnosed with high pressures.It was as if I had my fringe or something covering the top part of my eye.Retinal detachment is a medical emergency and so I would advise you to get this checked as soon as possible.Maybe ring 111 to find your nearest hospital with an emergency eye department as this needs to be checked and treated urgently if it turns out to be a detached retina.Wishing you all the best.

[Nala2509 in reply to Cavapoochonowner]

Hello

Personally I would be going to A&E as this could be a more serious problem that needs urgent attention. Good luck, hope all goes well.

[Cavapoochonowner in reply to Nala2509]

I agree, with you there.If the local hospital didn't have an emergency eye department, they would transfer them to the nearest one.I just took myself to one which had a walk in emergency eye clinic and was seen that day,operation the day after.

[Sodalover in reply to Cavapoochonowner]

Thanks for your reply, I have attended the eye hospital and had numerous tests including a CT scan, they’re baffled do diagnosed glaucoma as a fall back due to the raised pressures in that eye. I just wondered if anyone else had a similar experience as all of the doctors keep saying this is not typical ?

[USME in reply to Cavapoochonowner]

Sounds exactly like a detached retina, I've had 3. I believe this is an emergency that needs treated ASAP by a retina specialist. Good luck.

[Shefflass]

Hi. I had a detached retina about 30 years ago with similar symptoms to what you describe. But I've also had 'eye migraine' in the past which resulted in me not being able to see a third of the tv screen for 24 hours after which it just went away and never came back. I do think it really would be best for you to go quickly to A&E, preferably one with an eye department, just in case you need urgent treatment. Doing so with my detached retina saved my sight and I'm forever grateful. Maybe 111 could advise where would be best to go near to your home, bearing in mind it's the weekend and some eye departments will be closed. Best of luck, let us know how you get on.

[Jazzers]

Hi I can't add anything to the advice regarding more acute or retinal issues so will only comment on your question regarding Glaucoma sight loss. My own experience is that over a long period of time (in my case 14 years since diagnosed) the vision loss in my worst eye has gradually progressed to a point where I could describe it as you have. If I close my "good" eye then I have no vision from about mid point upwards in my "bad" eye.

This loss started at the very top part of my eye and worked its way down. It was when I started noticing what my doctor described as "nasal blurring" that I realised this was starting to seriously affect my sight as the sight loss was moving lower in my field of vision. Nasal blurring was when I could see that my sight was blurred in my "bad" eye at mid level next to my nose.

As an example, if I read a book and close my "good" eye, I can't see any writing above the line I am reading. This pattern of progression has never been explained as abnormal to me by my Ophthalmologist. In fact I'd say the opposite in that they explained to me that glaucoma sight loss tends to start from the top of visual field and work gradually down.

Clearly the rate at which this happens is significant and I don't know if you are describing something relatively sudden or over a long period of time. If Glaucoma is undiagnosed for a long time it may be that you only notice something wrong with your visual field when the loss has progressed to affect vision quite low in the field of one eye as your "good" eye will compensate for most of the loss in normal day to day vision.

[Sodalover in reply to Jazzers]

Thank you, my loss of vision was very sudden, and after a very recent eye test that was completely clear. There are several things that have been suggested by the glaucoma clinic, one of which is an eye stroke, I’m waiting for an MRI to confirm or rule out. They also frightened me by suggesting a brain tumour, but thankfully ruled out by a CT scan.

[Lillytalks]

I'm sorry to hear about your vision problems. What you're describing—losing sight in part of your vision, like a blind being pulled down—is not typically how glaucoma presents itself. Glaucoma usually causes a gradual loss of peripheral (side) vision, and many people don’t notice it until it has progressed significantly.

The sudden loss of vision in a specific part of your visual field, especially in one eye, could be due to a number of different eye conditions, such as retinal detachment, a blockage in the blood vessels of the eye, or other optic nerve issues. It's really important to see an eye specialist as soon as possible to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. Vision changes like this can be serious, and early intervention is crucial.

I’ve heard about various eyesight treatments visionrefresh.com, but I'm not sure how effective they are. It’s best to consult with a specialist who can provide information on what options might work for your specific condition. I hope you get the care you need and that your vision improves soon.

[711debbie]

I'm no expert at all on this but did the doctors also rule macular degeneration?

[Dumyat26]

All I can say is based on my own experience and may have no relevance to your condition, which must be checked by eye specialists. When I was in my teens (many years ago) I spent 5 days in hospital with a suspected detached retina after being kicked in the left eye while swimming, training in a public pool. The eye was bleeding so was taken to hospital . After checks and tests was decided retina not detached but still had to spend 24 hrs lying on back. Many years later I too found that I was loosing vision from upper left on my left eye. At first I thought nothing of this, but then it was spotted at a routine eye test. (I hadn't bothered getting eyes tested for many years as thought I had good vision). I now regularly attend the eye clinic at our hospital, sometimes annually, sometimes 6 monthly depending on what they find. I have SLT twice on both eyes. Take 3 different eye drops at various times day. I have been told that the field of vision loss has stabilised at 30% loss on left, 10% right. I assume if you drive, you have notified DVLA who will arrange routine eye tests for driving. That in itself can be stressful but I was amazed at how little vision is required to pass this test.

[Sodalover in reply to Dumyat26]

Thanks for your reply, I haven’t had any accidents and have been to the eye clinic, with 3 monthly appointments planned. They’ve told me I don’t have to inform the DVLA as only one eye is affected. They’re puzzled about my loss of vision as apparently I don’t have any of the typical symptoms and have always had yearly eye tests. I just wondered if anyone else had a similar experience which may give me some clue as to my own condition.

[HedgeHogHome]

Hello,

What a shock for you. I do empathise. A similar thing happened to me in April, I awoke to experience loss of vision, as if I had dirt on the lens of my glasses. I went to Specsavers, nothing showing upon the scan. I then went to A an E Eye Hospital. They diagnosed optic neuritis , All blood tests for inflammation were ok. On holiday panic set in so I made a private appointment with the senior Consultant neuro opthalmologist. Straight away he diagnosed a circulatory problem, ischemic optic neuropathy, a mini stroke behind the eye affecting the optic nerve. 4 months later fortunately, an MRI scan revealed no abnormalities .I was worried about brain lesions as the Consultant suggested a brain stroke! A retinal scan showed some thining of the optic nerve cells. I think the consultant was mystified, lots of question marks on his report.He even said he would get the scan re checked as something may have been missed. Thankfully re checking again showed ' no abnormalities'.

I go back in 3 months but probably won't get my vision back. It is lost at the top 1/4 of the eye and what I can only describe as looking through a doily, bits of letters are faded.

I did have a detached retina 30 years ago , a curtain coming down, but that was diagnosed straightaway and operated on.

I also have inter ocular pressure but that is managed with eye drops and laser treatment.I have regular checks at the Eye Hospital so really a bit of a mystery. If it is of any help I am getting use to it very slowly. The sensation of loss of vision changes with the differing levels of light.

I hope you get some answers soon

[Sodalover in reply to HedgeHogHome]

Thank you so much for your response, this sounds very similar to my experience. I’m going to book a private appointment as they keep postponing my appointment at the eye clinic and I’m worried that if something had been missed I could lose more if my sight

[FoxyHome in reply to Sodalover]

Please let me know how you get on and if you recieve any answers. It is an extremely anxious time for you.Loosing sight totally out of the blue is hard to accept and adapt to especially if you can't get any answers.

[bobbybeech]

Hallo Sodalover, although it may not be typical, my glaucoma presents in exactly the same way as yours. I do not have a detached retina or macular problems. My blind spot is upper central of my vision and affects reading in the way you describe - though in my case the area has gradually grown downwards over years rather than being a sudden change. So far my pressures have been kept reasonably under control with eye drops but progression still occurs. I realise how worrying this must be for you and hope that you have a sympathetic consultant who can reassure you. Sending you best wishes.

[Sodalover in reply to bobbybeech]

Thank you so much for your response

[Hula48]

This is just how my detached retina presented last year. I am NEARLY healed 14 months later... still not driving. See an optician at once, get referred. Mine was mended by laser (face down on a table like an ironing board with a hole in it). Didn't hurt at all. Plenty drops. I have had glaucoma for about 40 years. Hoping to get back to driving... most other functions are normal, but they are being very careful. Of course. Don't need drivers with dodgy sight on the road. But get checked out (and mended) ASAP!

[judetheobscure22]

This is what I have except for me it is the inside upper part of my right eye. With my left eye I have a full field of vision. With my right eye there is a cut-off point at my nose with just a little bit extra in the lower area.I thought this was normal with visual field loss.