Visual problems after BI? Do you see an ophthalmologist or an optometrist? What's the difference?

[pinkvision]

The difference is that an ophthalmologist only considers the EYE whereas an optometrist considers the EYE and the VISUAL PROCESSING in the brain.

There were a few conversations going on yesterday about optometry and ophthalmology so I had a look at the research these professions have done.

Here's a list from the ophthalmologists

nature.com/collections/eeif...

Have a read. What you'll find is that they don't like treating people with brain injuries because the conditions are too complicated and don't fit in their diagnostic processes. The attitude is that if they don't understand what's happening then they put the visual effects down to hallucinations, mental health conditions and YES the effects of antidepressants particularly sertraline and amitriptyline. In other words they have no idea what's causing the visual problems and rather than say I DON'T KNOW they blame mental health and medication.

I only need one example from the optometrists

reviewofoptometry.com/artic...

As you can see there is consideration for both the eye and the visual processing in the brain. There are loads of tests, potential treatments and therapies. There is also consideration of linked conditions ie the visual system with the vestibular system.

The problem most people find is that the NHS only employ ophthalmologists so if you want your brain injury taken into consideration for potentially causing your visual problems then you'll get no real answers other than it's due to mental health or medication.

If you want your BI taken into consideration, you'll have to pay to see an optometrist because you can only get this privately.

Why don't the NHS employ optometrists?

[Teazymaid]

My eyes suddenly went from long sighted to short sighted ..they then fluctuated for a couple of months as specsavers did test every four weeks … I have just seen a neuro eye Dr and have been told it’s just one of those things , that the optic nerve is fine so get some new glasses .. the first eye Dr I saw at the same hospital said it can’t happen all of a sudden 😫 .. I’m 4 this November and my eyes have been fine upto this point .. the neuro Dr in hospital said it maybe because I have the beginnings of a catterac which specsavers said that it is normal for my age only slight starting and felt she said that as she was trying to find something to say 🤔🤔. Now I’m reading this and more confused 🤔🤔 is this something that also could be looked at privately ??? Help !!! Very confused Sue

[pinkvision in reply to Teazymaid]

Did your vision problems start after your brain injury?

[Teazymaid in reply to pinkvision]

Yes 3 and half years past accident ..

[pinkvision in reply to Teazymaid]

Sorry, 3 and a half years after your BI, I can't see the connection with your BI and your visual issues.

[Teazymaid in reply to pinkvision]

No that is what I thought but they can find no reason for me going long sighted to short sighted over a couple of weeks/nights ..

[Teazymaid]

also neuro optometry and neuro ophthalmologist so the list seems endless at who or what you can see or what they can do .. it was neuro ophthalmologist and a ophthalmologist I saw at the hospital along with specsavers who truthfully were the most helpful ..Sue 😊