Have I got Wet AMD ?

[Noelhoney]

Hi, I am new to all this and currently in shock at what's happened to me. I'm a fit 63 year old man, lived a fairly healthy lifestyle, I live in Spain so there it's difficult getting the proper information through the language barrier. So my problem began about a month ago, just before bed I did some sit ups, this had raised my blood pressure up, about 3 hours later I woke up to see my left eye vision was almost black, it would seem the blood vessels in my eye had bulged, I went to the hospital and they didn't really know what it was although they said you have glaucoma which effects your periferal vision. They sent me home with pressure lowering eye drops ( Lanoprost )

Now 4 weeks on my left eye has a grey cloud blocking the centre of my vision and when I blink it's like I'm looking at the inside of my eye, I also have a grey smudge I see constantly, like an apparition...I can also not read with my left eye..My mental state is not good at this, I wake up every morning wonder how I'll live another 29 years with this eye situation ? Does the turmoil eventually go ? ... I'm worried my life won't be the same anymore....so sorry for the long read, any help will be greatly received. Brgds Noel

[springcross]

Hi Noelhoney and welcome to the forum. Was it an opthalmologist or optometrist you saw at the hospital? If not, someone who is knowledgeable should check this out, it doesn't sound adequate to me - I realise I could be wrong about that but it just doesn't sound like you've had enough attention. Did you have any eye scans?

[Noelhoney in reply to springcross]

Hi and thanks for replying...I was seen by 2 ophthalmologist, they said there is no blood visible and the retina looks ok, there is about 10% vision loss from the glaucoma but they did not see anything to cause the vision disturbance I'm experiencing, when I close my left eye it looks like a firefly dancing around ! They said maybe it's coming from your brain so see a Neurologist !

[Becky_MacularSociety Partner]

Good Afternoon Noelhoney,

If there is no fluid/blood leaking onto the macular, then it is not wet AMD. However what you have described sounds like something else might be going on as well as Glaucoma.

There is a Spanish Retinal Charity which may help discuss your condition and how best to get help.

Their website is: retinosisfarpe.org/

Telephone number is: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

All the best,

Becky

[Noelhoney in reply to Becky_MacularSociety]

Thank you Becky...a bit more info...When I blink it's like I can see my macula reflected back at me...I see a small clear circle them a mass of grey specs around it...a bit like a kaleidoscope effect....this is what is causing the grey smudge in my central vision in the left eye....I will look into your suggestion..thank you...

[Hidden]

Firstly sending big hugs X it's a terrifying time we all recognise.You MUST push your medical provider to get you checked thoroughly, I don't know how it works in Spain but don't be fobbed off, and dont let time slip away.

Apart from sight affecting conditions like giant cell arteritis & optic neuropathy which need to be excluded ( also an mri to check any MS or brain lesion indications ), make sure they check for Lymes disease and your B12folate.

My hubby, with swollen optic nerve, was on steroids for weeks which reduced the swelling but he kept relapsing as the dose was reduced then was found to be seriously b12 deficient and needed a series of booster inj which actually helped! Unfortunately some nerve damage cannot always be resolved. The sooner you get looked at the better.

When I checked the nhs website it clearly says B12 levels can be affected by PPI drugs such as Lanzaprazole for reflux disease and patients will be monitored.

I have to say, our nhs didn't manage to monitor or diagnose him, we had to go private.

Wishing you all the best going forwards.

[Noelhoney in reply to Hidden]

Thank you eyesright...at the moment I am waiting for a long overdue S1 document from the HMRC giving me free healthcare...at the moment I am paying private.....I'm beginning to think it's more related to glaucoma as they found I had it at the hospital although the symptoms are akin to AMD...since moving to spain 3 years ago I'd not bothered with any eye tests as my eyes were fine....you just don't know what's happening behind them as I've found out to my horror...! My vision seemed fine only 6 weeks ago now my left eye is damaged...was So quick ! Luckily I have some Spanish friends who have close connections with an Ophthalmologist in Alicante hospital so once I get my Spanish health card I can move on with some treatment...wishing all the best to you too...x