What is an Optical Migraine?
Ocular or Ophthalmic Migraine occurs when the visual phenomenon of migraine occurs without the headache. Visual disturbances include zigzag lines, which start small, then enlarge to the periphery over the next 10 to 20 minutes, and then disappear. In addition, patients may experience a “ripples on the water” effect or “heat waves” in their vision.
Can I have Lasik if I have dry eyes?
Lasik can make dry eyes worse. When the Lasik flap is made, corneal nerves are cut which reduces the reflex production of tears. Even normal eyes may experience dryness over a 3 to 4 month period as the corneal nerves regenerate. Mild dry eyes may be helped pre-operatively with non-persevered artificial tears, Restasis® and even punctal plugs, which block the drainage of the tear layer.
I have Lupus; can it affect my vision because I have noticed a change since I was diagnosed?
Lupus normally does not affect vision, but it can. The effect can be on the surface of the eye as dry eye. Lupus may cause a some inflammatory condition known as iritis. Lupus may also affect the retina blood vessels. In addition, medications used for Lupus can lead to glaucoma and cataracts. Lupus patients should generally not have Lasik or Photorefractive Keratectomy as a corneal “melt” might occur.
Stanley Rous, M.D.
Board Certified Ophthalmologist
This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician. Do not delay in seeking medical advice because of something you read on Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute Site.
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
My husband has been off work for almost 2 weeks, due to a severe eye infection. He has seen 6 doctors. The first three all ruled out pink eye. He was given medications to cover all bases, but no diagnosis. Each time he saw a new dr, his medications were either changed or stopped. I took him to emergency twice last week, and to the eye care center. These next 3 drs all insisted that it is indeed pink eye; however, I am concerned that it may be iritis. He has all the symptoms. I have asked each of the last 3 doctors if it could be iritis, and they all said no. I don’t understand how they can rule it out. I am extremely concerned, as my husband’s vision is so blurred that he is unable to read. How can they rule out iritis just by looking at him? Please advise.
In general we cannot make a diagnosis over the internet, however iritis is not difficult to diagnose. Please feel free to call our office so we may help you further.
I believe I have ophthalmic migraines. They are getting worse they started about three months ago, they only happened once or twice but now recently they seem to be occuring on a daily basis. They are really freaking me out. Is this a common thing and is it able to be corrected? What are the procedures to correct it if correctable?
Very common problem. Have an eye exam to rule out eye disease. See neurologist for migraine treatments.
I have a child of one year old and what concerns me is that when she looks at something instead of looking straight she turns her head on the other side and moves her eyes to try to see. What may be happening?
Your child may have a number of different conditions that can cause those symptoms. Your child needs to see a Pediatric Ophthalmologist as soon as you can get a appointment. His/her eye may be misaligned (strabismus) or they may have an eye condition that is causing blurred vision in one eye. Get a recommendation from the pediatrician-they will know a Pediatric Ophthalmologist in the area.
I am 80 years old and about to undergo cataract surgery. I have never worn contacts. I wear glasses only for reading. I do not need them for daytime driving or computer work. My problem is night driving, the glare and not seeing as well in the dark. I have pretty much ruled out multifocal lenses because I understand there is some problems with night driving. If I do not opt for mutifocals, my doctor wants to put in monoculars, one now for near in my right eye, and one for distance later in the right, dominant eye. What are the risks? I would appreciate any insight you can give me. Thanks, Bob Frey
The risk of monovision is that you do not fully adapt to it. If this occurs you may still need to wear glasses for some tasks. My preference would be the multifocal implants over monovision, but that is an individual decision.
I have a question concerning a very specific case. About 17 years ago, my now fiancé had an accident. He stabbed himself in the eye at the age of six, and subsequently underwent multiple surgeries. The best that the doctors could do resulted in a detached retina and iris, a shattered cornea (which appears milky white), and perhaps a removal of the crystalline. Luckily, they managed to save his eye, however it is completely white. He wears custom contact lens and to the naked eye, his problem is completely unnoticeable, however lately, wearing the contact lens for as long as he needs to wear it has been causing him severe pain. He lives in Brazil (though his surgeries occurred in Boston), and the doctors told him there that there is nothing else that he can do, other than to wear a contact for the rest of his life. He doesn’t want a glass eye, because since they managed to save his actual eye, with a contact, it follows his other eye’s natural muscle movement, making it impossible to know that he’s blind when wearing the contact. He was hoping that a replacement iris, but his doctor told him that since his cornea is milky, the eye wouldn’t change its appearance because of an artificial iris. He isn’t interested in restoring his sight. He just does not want to be dependent on an uncomfortable and expensive plastic lens for the rest of his life. Is this his only choice?
If he is totally blind (cannot even see light) and there is no hope (sounds that way) than he should strongly consider enucleation (removal of the eye).
A prosthesis (glass eye) will look much better than what his eye looks like now and it will able to move good enough. He will be pain free!
I recently (about 3 weeks ago) woke up and noticed that my left eye lid had an extra crease in the inner 1/3rd of the eye… so now it looks like I have 3 eyelids in one eye…. not very flattering! I thought it was from too much sleep or something and decided it would probably go away. Unfortunately it has stayed the same. I have no problems swelling or pain or redness. I spoke to my optometrist and she stated that if it got worse to go seek an opthalmologist. I am 22 years old and find it hard to believe that I am aging already. Can you give me explanations as to why this has occured, if it will go away on its own or should I go pay a visit to a specialist? Thanks, any help would be greatly appreciated.
My son is 7 yrs old. In April he came home from play with his eye swollen and red. We flushed his eye per his pediatrician via phone (it was over the weekend), and come Monday, there was no swelling or redness. The school did a vision test that following week and sent a letter home suggesting I get his vision checked. We went to pediatrician, was sent to opthalmologist, who sent us to a Retina Specialist, who then sent us to a Pediatric Opthalmologist and we’re now being sent to a Pediatric Rheumatologist. Since May, He has been on PredForte drops 6x in each eye daily, CycloGel 1x each eye daily, and recently started Orapred 15mg 4x in A.M.. He has been diagnosed with Panuveitis OU, he has a cataract in his right eye and all of this is due to unknown causes. He is having Sub Tenon’s Kenalog injections on Monday in both eyes. He wants to play football, but I’m not so sure it’s the safest thing for him to do now. He’s such an outgoing child and I hate to hold him back from activities children should be pursuing. His vision in his right eye is blurry at 20/100 – 30/70 & in the left eye slightly blurry at 20/30 – 20/40. It constantly changes, getting worse in the right and left. He has trouble reading books, unless they are large print and has to constantly look away for a minute to readjust his eyes. I’ve seen studies on adults on the internet but “What is the success rate with STK especially in children?” and “In your opinion, would it be unsafe for him to play football?”
Thank you in advance for your time,
Sincerely,
Kim
Hello and thank you for your recent inquiry. Your son’s case is very complexed and you would be best served asking the treating physician. If we can be of any help to you please call our office.
Good luck.
Hi,
I’m sure your very conerned and I think you should see your Opthalmologist for a consultation as there are various reasons why you may be having a problem. If our office can help you please call us at your convenience.
Thank you