Left Eye, Optometrist says, he thinks optic nerve is thinning?Just had my annual exam, been seeing this optometrist for a few yrs. now, he said that my left eye which I have a very bad left lazy eye, he thinks, not sure though, that it's thinner, said it's connected to the brain and could cause blindness, he ran 2 test, the first didn't work, he said it's a very old machine, no one uses it and probably to young for it, the 2nd test was a white background with a black dot and you focus on the dot while there are flashes of light, you click the buttom when you see the flashes, I didn't do well but he said it might have to do with the fact that I have a lazy left eye, wants me to come back for another test that takes 45 mins. I'm 43, he said last year when my vision went from -5.50 to -6.50 after being steady for years, that it wasn't normal for someone my age, that at my age it should be better in distance and worse with close up, I came back wk later after the new trial lens and had to see another doc who said it's normal, can happen at any age, so I don't know what to think or believe but I am so scared, I don't want to go blind, I called a friend whose an opthal. Tech and she said none of it sounds right, that when the nerve thins, it's due to a brain tumor and suggested to see an opthal. to be sure, I left the office with him saying he ran out of time for the 3rd test and not to worry about it. Has anyone gone through such a thing or know about a thinning optic nerve, I am crying here, can't stop.
Posted by Natasha L
It sounds to me that you have too many opinions floating around. The number of opinions equals the number of doctors, as you just found out.
First off, don't panic yet, not until you have a firmer opinion of what's going on. Keep in mind that an ophthalmologist is an eye doctor: their job is to fix your eyes, not to deal with your brain. Therefore, everyone's got an opinion on a topic they don't really know so well. If your nerve is thinning, as the ophth believes, that's a neurological problem.
Make an appointment with a neurologist. Get a couple scans (I suggest MRI over CT, but either one works). Even if it is a brain tumour (which I highly doubt), it can be easily corrected at this stage. It may be perfectly normal - we always say "for your age" but that's based on averages.
So: deep breath. See a neurologist. If you don't feel better after visit with neuro, try to see another neurologist. They also have lots of opinions (maybe more than any other docs), but at least they know their stuff :)
Posted by GreenT
I would make an appointment with a neurologist and get a CT scan or an MRI.
My brain tumor was found because the tumor was pushing on the optic nerve causing my eyesight to get very bad. Not meaning to scare you, but my doctor at the time said that these types of tumors are usually found when people are in the 40's.
If you have any questions, email me. Best of luck!!
Posted by Pedestal42
It sounds like your optometrist is taking care, but is too rushed: "ran out of time" sounds awful, but I've heard of it in "production line" practices. Not somewhere I'd go for my exams.
A brain tumour is possible but very unlikely.
Your Tech friend is oversimplifying.
The trouble is the lazy eye. Because it already has poor vision, the most obvious clue to problems, a drop away from good vision, isn't available. The appearance of the optic nerve, visual field tests, and intraocular pressure testing are the main guides in such a case,
(glaucoma is a possibility as well, and more likely on the information you have given)
You may well have nothing wrong at all.
Rx's can change.
Absolutely no need to panic, but you do need a fresh start with an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist (depending what's normal in your country) who is going to take time and communicate well. If only for your peace of mind.
Optometrist, retired.
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