Cloudy Central Area During Pinhole Occluder Test

When I look through a pinhole the central area is cloudy The diameter of the cloudy area is about one-half the diameter of the pinhole. I cannot see through this cloudy area. However, I can see around the cloudy area to the rim of the pinhole . I have asked my optometrist and ophthalmologist and both have not encountered this symptom report from a patient. Nothing is returned on an extensive Google search. I am in the early stages of dry MD . My ophthalmologist has guessed that the cloudy area when viewing through a pinhole may be related to my MD. I was looking for a definite explanation instead of a guess. I find it hard to believe that I am the only one that has experienced this. I have attached a crude drawing of the problem.

I should also point out that when I am using my eyes normally and going through my regular day that I do not see a gray area in my central vision. I only see this cloudy area when looking through an optometric grade pinhole occluder.

Thanks fir any insight you can provide.

drgarner

[tallyho]

Hi there that is such a detailed drawing, May I ask do you see worse with the pinhole. The pinhole will direct light onto your macular instead of all over your field of vision so this is why perhaps you have this affect, because that is where the issue is. May I show your great picture to an ophthalmologist friend of mine and see what they say?

[Hidden in reply to tallyho]

I see worse through the pinhole because the cloudy area obscures any central details. In the donut area around the cloudy area I can see details just fine. Yes, please show this to your friend. It's probably an artifact of my beginning AMD but I am just surprised that I cannot find any information about this effect. I am 72.

[Borborygmus in reply to tallyho]

I experience the same thing. When I first noticed it during a recent eye test I assumed it was a bit of dirt on the pinhole occluder, and I said nothing. Making my own at home (an actual pinhole through a Christmas card) I see the same thing.

The 'blob' remains in the same place, slightly below the centre of the pinhole, regardless of the orientation of the pinhole. I can move my eye and look past the blob. This suggests to me it is not a dark spot on my retina - but a camera looking through the same pinhole sees no blob.

The blob is larger and blurrier in my left eye, smaller and darker in my right eye.

Subsequent to my eye test I had a visit to my opthalmologist who said that, apart from cataracts that are not yet bad enough to justify surgery, my eyes look healthy.

[Mollydingomurphy]

I also have a circular grey thing in my left eye. If I look at a person's face or the clock,I cannot see through it unless I am in really bright light. I have wet amd in that eye. Am getting monthly shot of eyelea to hopefully make the bleed behind my eye go away. Very annoying.

[middlejoel]

I have a similar "dark spot" in the center of left eye if I look straight ahead. If I try to look left, right, up or down, the spot follows my intended line of vision and as a result, the dark spot essentiall renders my left eye useless. I have shots in both eyes s well.

[Bradders53]

I think it’s probable that you have drusen ( macular holes) in that area. I’m 68 and have had dry AMD for about 9 years and have several grey areas that are more obvious when looking with just one eye. Less obvious when using both eyes.

[Hidden in reply to Bradders53]

Thanks for the info Bradders53. If you have time could you please perform a visual test (as described in my post) with a pinhole occluder. I would like to know if (in your case) the entire pinhole field is clear or if the center area is cloudy. Thanks!

Dave

[Bradders53]

Sorry drgamer but

1. I have no idea how o make a pinhole occluder

2. I can’t see well enough to make n accurate drawing.

3. I have cataracts too, so that would inflence any results

Hopefully someone else can help.

[oldoakowl]

When they hand me the occluder during an eye test, it makes the letters impossible to see, with in either eye. I figure that, on the whole, less light is reaching my eye, and therefore it is as if the lights have been dimmed. In the beginning and mid stages of AMD the dark central spot is more visible in dim light. Despite what my chart says, they hand me the occluder every time I go in to be checked. Makes me want to laugh! Are they looking for a miracle, or don't they look at the chart notes?