PSP double vision - eyes problems

[Zibo]

Dear all,

I am trying to figure out what my mother needs eyes wise.

As she is not in the Uk we have a different system in Italy, so I will be needing to translate the information to fit that system.

I am asking if you could share how did you get to understand their problems and who then prescribed their glassess, eye needs, treatment, etc? Not the optician I guess: A neurologist? the doctor?

[Hidden]

A neuro ophthalmologist is who she should see. Such a person exist. I had no idea they did until Larry’s neurologists suggested he see one about his eye tearing. As for double vision it is common with PSP. Sometimes an eye patch on one eye helps.

[Zibo in reply to Hidden]

thank you!!

[Kevin_1 in reply to Zibo]

Ophthalmologist is way over the top. The U.S. and Europe often have different gradings. In the EU An Ophthalmologist is a fully qualified senior doctor with a specialism in eyes. That specialism is a further 5 year training ontop of probably a 5 year training. They often treat the most complex eye problems involving surgery etc.

All you are looking at is getting glasses with a prism in them. A good optician would be able to do this. An Optometrist is the level a GP would generally refer complex issues to. They would refer on to an Ophthalmologist if it were more complex.

So an optometrist is a little extra insurance.

Best to you.

[Kevin_1]

Hi Zebo

In the U.K we have three different levels of Optician

I ascending order of training:

Optician - Eye tests and prescriptions + plus other tests such as glaucoma.

Optometrist - As above, but able to diagnose more complex issues

Ophthalmologist - A medically trained doctor / surgeon who is also a specialist in eyesight and usually surgery.

If you google each you will see what each does in more detail.

We went to an Optometrist and it was more than good enough.

Essentially people suffering from PSP have difficulty moving their eyes. So because they cannot converge properly double vision is common.

There is no treatment for this.

Solutions are to cover ne eye with a patch when required (TV, eating etc)

In the earlier stages a good spectacle prescription can adjust for the double vision. They build what is called a prism into the lens. It is not obvious, the lenses look normal.

An Optometris in Italian is an optometrista.

I hope this helps a little

Best

Kevin

[Zibo in reply to Kevin_1]

Thanks so much, Kevin! such a comprehensive and useful reply

[AJK2001]

Hi Zibo

Mum was initially referred to an Optomerist who looked at her eye movement and initially prescribed a prism to be attached to the lens of the glasses. This was initially a film that was stuck on to check it worked and then was actually incorporated into the glasses. This worked for a while but Mum was seeing double up & down as well as side to side and it wasn't consistent. In this case they can do nothing to help and so now she has one of the lens of her glasses obscured (like the frosted glass you get in bathrooms), which isn't as obvious as wearing an eye patch.

The other thing Mum suffers from is a reduced (virtually non-existant) blink rate. this leads to disruption of the tear film which lubricates the eyes and so dry, sore eyes and can lead to Blepharitis and even damage to the cornea. As Mum has had severe problems with this we see a cornea specialist who on top of the normal eye drops & ointments, did prescribe a short course of antibiotics and use of an eye bag (it's a bit like a wheat bag for the eyes, you heat it in the microwave and put on the eyes for 10mins, then gently massage the lids and bathe the eyes).

We were originally seeing people at the local hospital but I wasn't too happy with them, so the Neurologist referred us to the Eye Hospital, where they have people that have a better understanding of neurological conditions and we have seen not just very competent opthamologists but also very empathetic ones, we are lucky to be close to such a specialist place.

I wish you luck with this, her eye problems are probably the thing that has caused my Mum the most upset, they are constantly uncomfortable and she just hates not being able to see clearly. I hope your Mum doesn't have the same experience

[Zibo in reply to AJK2001]

thanks so much for such useful information. So sorry to hear about what your Mum is going and gone through. It's such a horrible illness. Sending waves of strength your way, with gratitude

[rnpacu]

Ziba

[rnpacu]

Zibo

I went to a neurologist opthomlogist first and he sent me to a neurologist optmotrist who prescribe glasses so I can read again .Iam in the US

Maria

[Zibo in reply to rnpacu]

thanks Maria, much appreciated

[ncgardener799]

We are in the US. My husband only has double vision with distance, he sees an opthamalogist and he has prescribed a prism in his eye glass lenses. It has made a big difference for his distance vision. His eyes also get very heavy feeling when he is overly tired, but wearing the glasses seems to help. The prism helps with the eye muscle control that happens in PSP. He is hypersensitive to light and also has good quality sunglasses with prism and that also has helped. We also use lubricating drops to help keep eyes moist.

[Zibo in reply to ncgardener799]

Thanks a million! I am starting to understand. Much gratitude

[brigham91]

My father has double vision and a doctor said he could operate to tighten the eye muscles, but it is a short term fix. Eye problems are neurological. The complications of surgery to a 79 year old will cause additional issues for him.

[Zibo]

true. Thanks for your comment and experience. Much appreciated