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CANNOT SEE TO READ
CANNOT SEE TO READ
I am 65 and my vison in the last two or so years has been getting
worse for reading. I have been buying magnafying reading glass.
Now, when I try to read, it is like looking through glasses that are
smeered with vasaline. I had my vision checked and got perscription
reading glasses. There is absolutely no difference and I still cannot
focus to read. My distance vison is failing too.
Reading through various web sites and Usenet Groups, I have concluded
that there so may different possible vision problems that I could
never determine what my problem is over the Internet.
My problem is complicated by my living in Panama. I went to who I
thought was an opthomologist but he was an optometrist. ( There is a
language barrier since my Spanish is not perfect.) I told him that I
did not think prescription glasses would solve my problem but I went
ahead and had them made anyway.
I am going to see an eye surgeon next week who maybe can help me.
I am 65 and my vison in the last two or so years has been getting
worse for reading. I have been buying magnafying reading glass.
Now, when I try to read, it is like looking through glasses that are
smeered with vasaline. I had my vision checked and got perscription
reading glasses. There is absolutely no difference and I still cannot
focus to read. My distance vison is failing too.
Reading through various web sites and Usenet Groups, I have concluded
that there so may different possible vision problems that I could
never determine what my problem is over the Internet.
My problem is complicated by my living in Panama. I went to who I
thought was an opthomologist but he was an optometrist. ( There is a
language barrier since my Spanish is not perfect.) I told him that I
did not think prescription glasses would solve my problem but I went
ahead and had them made anyway.
I am going to see an eye surgeon next week who maybe can help me.
Re: CANNOT SEE TO READ
Did they check you for cataract? Your desription sounds like it, but of
course it could be something else. Only a physical examination by a
professional can determine your condition.
Jerry wrote:
>I am 65 and my vison in the last two or so years has been getting
>worse for reading. I have been buying magnafying reading glass.
>
>Now, when I try to read, it is like looking through glasses that are
>smeered with vasaline. I had my vision checked and got perscription
>reading glasses. There is absolutely no difference and I still cannot
>focus to read. My distance vison is failing too.
>
>Reading through various web sites and Usenet Groups, I have concluded
>that there so may different possible vision problems that I could
>never determine what my problem is over the Internet.
>
>My problem is complicated by my living in Panama. I went to who I
>thought was an opthomologist but he was an optometrist. ( There is a
>language barrier since my Spanish is not perfect.) I told him that I
>did not think prescription glasses would solve my problem but I went
>ahead and had them made anyway.
>
>I am going to see an eye surgeon next week who maybe can help me.
--
MsBrainy
Message posted via MedKB,com
http :// www .medkb,com /Uwe/Forums.aspx/vision/200805/1
Did they check you for cataract? Your desription sounds like it, but of
course it could be something else. Only a physical examination by a
professional can determine your condition.
Jerry wrote:
>I am 65 and my vison in the last two or so years has been getting
>worse for reading. I have been buying magnafying reading glass.
>
>Now, when I try to read, it is like looking through glasses that are
>smeered with vasaline. I had my vision checked and got perscription
>reading glasses. There is absolutely no difference and I still cannot
>focus to read. My distance vison is failing too.
>
>Reading through various web sites and Usenet Groups, I have concluded
>that there so may different possible vision problems that I could
>never determine what my problem is over the Internet.
>
>My problem is complicated by my living in Panama. I went to who I
>thought was an opthomologist but he was an optometrist. ( There is a
>language barrier since my Spanish is not perfect.) I told him that I
>did not think prescription glasses would solve my problem but I went
>ahead and had them made anyway.
>
>I am going to see an eye surgeon next week who maybe can help me.
--
MsBrainy
Message posted via MedKB,com
http :// www .medkb,com /Uwe/Forums.aspx/vision/200805/1
Re: CANNOT SEE TO READ
It is a long shot but some of the symptoms you are describing are
Fuchs's Corneal Dystrophy. Many doctors don't find it because it is
rare, but it is easy to diagnose if they are looking for it. I found
that I have it about 2 months ago. It only took 3 different doctors
to find it, some have gone to 6 or more before they got a proper
diagnosis.
On Sun, 25 May 2008 02:27:02 GMT, "MsBrainy via MedKB,com "
<u33689@uwe> wrote:
>Did they check you for cataract? Your desription sounds like it, but of
>course it could be something else. Only a physical examination by a
>professional can determine your condition.
>
>Jerry wrote:
>>I am 65 and my vison in the last two or so years has been getting
>>worse for reading. I have been buying magnafying reading glass.
>>
>>Now, when I try to read, it is like looking through glasses that are
>>smeered with vasaline. I had my vision checked and got perscription
>>reading glasses. There is absolutely no difference and I still cannot
>>focus to read. My distance vison is failing too.
>>
>>Reading through various web sites and Usenet Groups, I have concluded
>>that there so may different possible vision problems that I could
>>never determine what my problem is over the Internet.
>>
>>My problem is complicated by my living in Panama. I went to who I
>>thought was an opthomologist but he was an optometrist. ( There is a
>>language barrier since my Spanish is not perfect.) I told him that I
>>did not think prescription glasses would solve my problem but I went
>>ahead and had them made anyway.
>>
>>I am going to see an eye surgeon next week who maybe can help me.
It is a long shot but some of the symptoms you are describing are
Fuchs's Corneal Dystrophy. Many doctors don't find it because it is
rare, but it is easy to diagnose if they are looking for it. I found
that I have it about 2 months ago. It only took 3 different doctors
to find it, some have gone to 6 or more before they got a proper
diagnosis.
On Sun, 25 May 2008 02:27:02 GMT, "MsBrainy via MedKB,com "
<u33689@uwe> wrote:
>Did they check you for cataract? Your desription sounds like it, but of
>course it could be something else. Only a physical examination by a
>professional can determine your condition.
>
>Jerry wrote:
>>I am 65 and my vison in the last two or so years has been getting
>>worse for reading. I have been buying magnafying reading glass.
>>
>>Now, when I try to read, it is like looking through glasses that are
>>smeered with vasaline. I had my vision checked and got perscription
>>reading glasses. There is absolutely no difference and I still cannot
>>focus to read. My distance vison is failing too.
>>
>>Reading through various web sites and Usenet Groups, I have concluded
>>that there so may different possible vision problems that I could
>>never determine what my problem is over the Internet.
>>
>>My problem is complicated by my living in Panama. I went to who I
>>thought was an opthomologist but he was an optometrist. ( There is a
>>language barrier since my Spanish is not perfect.) I told him that I
>>did not think prescription glasses would solve my problem but I went
>>ahead and had them made anyway.
>>
>>I am going to see an eye surgeon next week who maybe can help me.
Re: CANNOT SEE TO READ
Sorry to hear you have Fuchs. When the original poster is examined the
doctor should be able to see if the problem is a cataract. If it is
not, then Fuchs may be a possibility. It is, however, rather rare.
Glenn Hagele
Executive Director
USAEyes (R)
Patient Advocacy Surgeon Certification
"Consider and Choose With Confidence" (TM)
Email to glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org
http :// www .USAEyes.org
Lasik Bulletin Board
http :// www .USAEyes.org/Ask-Lasik-Expert/
I am not a doctor.
Copyright 2008
All Rights Reserved
Sorry to hear you have Fuchs. When the original poster is examined the
doctor should be able to see if the problem is a cataract. If it is
not, then Fuchs may be a possibility. It is, however, rather rare.
Glenn Hagele
Executive Director
USAEyes (R)
Patient Advocacy Surgeon Certification
"Consider and Choose With Confidence" (TM)
Email to glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org
http :// www .USAEyes.org
Lasik Bulletin Board
http :// www .USAEyes.org/Ask-Lasik-Expert/
I am not a doctor.
Copyright 2008
All Rights Reserved
Re: CANNOT SEE TO READ
On Sat, 24 May 2008 19:54:34 -0700, ray <spammers@do.not.reply,com > wrote:
>It is a long shot but some of the symptoms you are describing are
>Fuchs's Corneal Dystrophy. Many doctors don't find it because it is
>rare, but it is easy to diagnose if they are looking for it. I found
>that I have it about 2 months ago. It only took 3 different doctors
>to find it, some have gone to 6 or more before they got a proper
>diagnosis.
> =======================
Does Fuchs's appear to be similar to a mass of blood (or similar material)
in that when the eye is not very active it spreads across the vision to
simulate a very thin covering and when the eye is active it coalesces into a
blob that may cover 50 percent of the field of view (sitting in the center)?
On Sat, 24 May 2008 19:54:34 -0700, ray <spammers@do.not.reply,com > wrote:
>It is a long shot but some of the symptoms you are describing are
>Fuchs's Corneal Dystrophy. Many doctors don't find it because it is
>rare, but it is easy to diagnose if they are looking for it. I found
>that I have it about 2 months ago. It only took 3 different doctors
>to find it, some have gone to 6 or more before they got a proper
>diagnosis.
> =======================
Does Fuchs's appear to be similar to a mass of blood (or similar material)
in that when the eye is not very active it spreads across the vision to
simulate a very thin covering and when the eye is active it coalesces into a
blob that may cover 50 percent of the field of view (sitting in the center)?
Re: CANNOT SEE TO READ
> Does Fuchs's appear to be similar to a mass of blood (or similar material)
> in that when the eye is not very active it spreads across the vision to
> simulate a very thin covering and when the eye is active it coalesces into
> a
> blob that may cover 50 percent of the field of view (sitting in the
> center)?
Fuch's makes the back side of the cornea look a little like frosted glass,
the texture of an orange peel.
There is no blood, and no "blob" to form any image.
The central cornea is usually worst, and the hazy vision isn't usually
concentrated in any particular field or direction.
Fuch's is not rare, and it's difficult to miss if you're paying attention.
-MT, OD
<jyazelz@peoplepc,com > wrote in message
news:cl7k34dphb0kedpnj7ggb95fqabgi20pk8@4ax,com ...
> On Sat, 24 May 2008 19:54:34 -0700, ray <spammers@do.not.reply,com > wrote:
>
>>It is a long shot but some of the symptoms you are describing are
>>Fuchs's Corneal Dystrophy. Many doctors don't find it because it is
>>rare, but it is easy to diagnose if they are looking for it. I found
>>that I have it about 2 months ago. It only took 3 different doctors
>>to find it, some have gone to 6 or more before they got a proper
>>diagnosis.
>> =======================
>
> Does Fuchs's appear to be similar to a mass of blood (or similar material)
> in that when the eye is not very active it spreads across the vision to
> simulate a very thin covering and when the eye is active it coalesces into
> a
> blob that may cover 50 percent of the field of view (sitting in the
> center)?
>
>
> Does Fuchs's appear to be similar to a mass of blood (or similar material)
> in that when the eye is not very active it spreads across the vision to
> simulate a very thin covering and when the eye is active it coalesces into
> a
> blob that may cover 50 percent of the field of view (sitting in the
> center)?
Fuch's makes the back side of the cornea look a little like frosted glass,
the texture of an orange peel.
There is no blood, and no "blob" to form any image.
The central cornea is usually worst, and the hazy vision isn't usually
concentrated in any particular field or direction.
Fuch's is not rare, and it's difficult to miss if you're paying attention.
-MT, OD
<jyazelz@peoplepc,com > wrote in message
news:cl7k34dphb0kedpnj7ggb95fqabgi20pk8@4ax,com ...
> On Sat, 24 May 2008 19:54:34 -0700, ray <spammers@do.not.reply,com > wrote:
>
>>It is a long shot but some of the symptoms you are describing are
>>Fuchs's Corneal Dystrophy. Many doctors don't find it because it is
>>rare, but it is easy to diagnose if they are looking for it. I found
>>that I have it about 2 months ago. It only took 3 different doctors
>>to find it, some have gone to 6 or more before they got a proper
>>diagnosis.
>> =======================
>
> Does Fuchs's appear to be similar to a mass of blood (or similar material)
> in that when the eye is not very active it spreads across the vision to
> simulate a very thin covering and when the eye is active it coalesces into
> a
> blob that may cover 50 percent of the field of view (sitting in the
> center)?
>
>
Re: CANNOT SEE TO READ
On May 25, 11:33 pm, "Mike Tyner" <mty...@mindspring,com > wrote:
> > Does Fuchs's appear to be similar to a mass of blood (or similar material)
> > in that when the eye is not very active it spreads across the vision to
> > simulate a very thin covering and when the eye is active it coalesces into
> > a
> > blob that may cover 50 percent of the field of view (sitting in the
> > center)?
>
> Fuch's makes the back side of the cornea look a little like frosted glass,
> the texture of an orange peel.
>
> There is no blood, and no "blob" to form any image.
>
> The central cornea is usually worst, and the hazy vision isn't usually
> concentrated in any particular field or direction.
>
> Fuch's is not rare, and it's difficult to miss if you're paying attention.
>
> -MT, OD
>
> <jyaz...@peoplepc,com > wrote in message
>
> news:cl7k34dphb0kedpnj7ggb95fqabgi20pk8@4ax,com ...
>
> > On Sat, 24 May 2008 19:54:34 -0700, ray <spamm...@do.not.reply,com > wrote:
>
> >>It is a long shot but some of the symptoms you are describing are
> >>Fuchs's Corneal Dystrophy. Many doctors don't find it because it is
> >>rare, but it is easy to diagnose if they are looking for it. I found
> >>that I have it about 2 months ago. It only took 3 different doctors
> >>to find it, some have gone to 6 or more before they got a proper
> >>diagnosis.
> >> ======================>
> > Does Fuchs's appear to be similar to a mass of blood (or similar material)
> > in that when the eye is not very active it spreads across the vision to
> > simulate a very thin covering and when the eye is active it coalesces into
> > a
> > blob that may cover 50 percent of the field of view (sitting in the
> > center)?
thanks, mike, for the clarifications of a number of points that irked
me when I read this thread from the start.
Fuch's is quite easy to diagnose in a simple slit-lamp evaluation.
And its possible but not likely that the original poster really has
this condition anyway so its mention takes the thread off a little off
topic. I think the most likely conditions that need to be ruled out
are simple refractive changes, cataracts, and potential retinal
problems (diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, etc.) And such
an examination is directly in line with the skills and scope of
practice of optometrists, as well as ophthalmologists, both groups who
have "medical" training regarding the eye.
On May 25, 11:33 pm, "Mike Tyner" <mty...@mindspring,com > wrote:
> > Does Fuchs's appear to be similar to a mass of blood (or similar material)
> > in that when the eye is not very active it spreads across the vision to
> > simulate a very thin covering and when the eye is active it coalesces into
> > a
> > blob that may cover 50 percent of the field of view (sitting in the
> > center)?
>
> Fuch's makes the back side of the cornea look a little like frosted glass,
> the texture of an orange peel.
>
> There is no blood, and no "blob" to form any image.
>
> The central cornea is usually worst, and the hazy vision isn't usually
> concentrated in any particular field or direction.
>
> Fuch's is not rare, and it's difficult to miss if you're paying attention.
>
> -MT, OD
>
> <jyaz...@peoplepc,com > wrote in message
>
> news:cl7k34dphb0kedpnj7ggb95fqabgi20pk8@4ax,com ...
>
> > On Sat, 24 May 2008 19:54:34 -0700, ray <spamm...@do.not.reply,com > wrote:
>
> >>It is a long shot but some of the symptoms you are describing are
> >>Fuchs's Corneal Dystrophy. Many doctors don't find it because it is
> >>rare, but it is easy to diagnose if they are looking for it. I found
> >>that I have it about 2 months ago. It only took 3 different doctors
> >>to find it, some have gone to 6 or more before they got a proper
> >>diagnosis.
> >> ======================>
> > Does Fuchs's appear to be similar to a mass of blood (or similar material)
> > in that when the eye is not very active it spreads across the vision to
> > simulate a very thin covering and when the eye is active it coalesces into
> > a
> > blob that may cover 50 percent of the field of view (sitting in the
> > center)?
thanks, mike, for the clarifications of a number of points that irked
me when I read this thread from the start.
Fuch's is quite easy to diagnose in a simple slit-lamp evaluation.
And its possible but not likely that the original poster really has
this condition anyway so its mention takes the thread off a little off
topic. I think the most likely conditions that need to be ruled out
are simple refractive changes, cataracts, and potential retinal
problems (diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, etc.) And such
an examination is directly in line with the skills and scope of
practice of optometrists, as well as ophthalmologists, both groups who
have "medical" training regarding the eye.
Re: CANNOT SEE TO READ
On Sun, 25 May 2008 22:10:04 -0700 (PDT), p.clarkii@gmail,com wrote:
>On May 25, 11:33 pm, "Mike Tyner" <mty...@mindspring,com > wrote:
>> Fuch's is not rare, and it's difficult to miss if you're paying attention.
>>
>> -MT, OD
>>
It is my understanding that it affects about 1% of the population
making it relatively rare. My eye doctor who sees people with eye
problems says he sees 1 or 2 cases a month. It may be difficult to
miss if you are paying attention, but in my case it took 3 doctors
before I found one who was paying attention. I have corresponded with
people who took 6 or more before the problem was found.
>> <jyaz...@peoplepc,com > wrote in message
>>
>> news:cl7k34dphb0kedpnj7ggb95fqabgi20pk8@4ax,com ...
>>
>> > On Sat, 24 May 2008 19:54:34 -0700, ray <spamm...@do.not.reply,com > wrote:
>>
>> >>It is a long shot but some of the symptoms you are describing are
>> >>Fuchs's Corneal Dystrophy. Many doctors don't find it because it is
>> >>rare, but it is easy to diagnose if they are looking for it. I found
>> >>that I have it about 2 months ago. It only took 3 different doctors
>> >>to find it, some have gone to 6 or more before they got a proper
>> >>diagnosis.
>> >> =======================
>>
>> > Does Fuchs's appear to be similar to a mass of blood (or similar material)
>> > in that when the eye is not very active it spreads across the vision to
>> > simulate a very thin covering and when the eye is active it coalesces into
>> > a
>> > blob that may cover 50 percent of the field of view (sitting in the
>> > center)?
>
>thanks, mike, for the clarifications of a number of points that irked
>me when I read this thread from the start.
>
>Fuch's is quite easy to diagnose in a simple slit-lamp evaluation.
>And its possible but not likely that the original poster really has
>this condition anyway so its mention takes the thread off a little off
>topic. I think the most likely conditions that need to be ruled out
>are simple refractive changes, cataracts, and potential retinal
>problems (diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, etc.) And such
>an examination is directly in line with the skills and scope of
>practice of optometrists, as well as ophthalmologists, both groups who
>have "medical" training regarding the eye.
The OP Jerry said "Now, when I try to read, it is like looking through
glasses that are smeered with vasaline." which is a common complaint
among Fuchs's sufferers. I was just pointing out that Fuchs's is a
relatively rare, easy to diagnose condition that is frequently
overlooked even by skilled medical practitioners.
On Sun, 25 May 2008 22:10:04 -0700 (PDT), p.clarkii@gmail,com wrote:
>On May 25, 11:33 pm, "Mike Tyner" <mty...@mindspring,com > wrote:
>> Fuch's is not rare, and it's difficult to miss if you're paying attention.
>>
>> -MT, OD
>>
It is my understanding that it affects about 1% of the population
making it relatively rare. My eye doctor who sees people with eye
problems says he sees 1 or 2 cases a month. It may be difficult to
miss if you are paying attention, but in my case it took 3 doctors
before I found one who was paying attention. I have corresponded with
people who took 6 or more before the problem was found.
>> <jyaz...@peoplepc,com > wrote in message
>>
>> news:cl7k34dphb0kedpnj7ggb95fqabgi20pk8@4ax,com ...
>>
>> > On Sat, 24 May 2008 19:54:34 -0700, ray <spamm...@do.not.reply,com > wrote:
>>
>> >>It is a long shot but some of the symptoms you are describing are
>> >>Fuchs's Corneal Dystrophy. Many doctors don't find it because it is
>> >>rare, but it is easy to diagnose if they are looking for it. I found
>> >>that I have it about 2 months ago. It only took 3 different doctors
>> >>to find it, some have gone to 6 or more before they got a proper
>> >>diagnosis.
>> >> =======================
>>
>> > Does Fuchs's appear to be similar to a mass of blood (or similar material)
>> > in that when the eye is not very active it spreads across the vision to
>> > simulate a very thin covering and when the eye is active it coalesces into
>> > a
>> > blob that may cover 50 percent of the field of view (sitting in the
>> > center)?
>
>thanks, mike, for the clarifications of a number of points that irked
>me when I read this thread from the start.
>
>Fuch's is quite easy to diagnose in a simple slit-lamp evaluation.
>And its possible but not likely that the original poster really has
>this condition anyway so its mention takes the thread off a little off
>topic. I think the most likely conditions that need to be ruled out
>are simple refractive changes, cataracts, and potential retinal
>problems (diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, etc.) And such
>an examination is directly in line with the skills and scope of
>practice of optometrists, as well as ophthalmologists, both groups who
>have "medical" training regarding the eye.
The OP Jerry said "Now, when I try to read, it is like looking through
glasses that are smeered with vasaline." which is a common complaint
among Fuchs's sufferers. I was just pointing out that Fuchs's is a
relatively rare, easy to diagnose condition that is frequently
overlooked even by skilled medical practitioners.
Re: CANNOT SEE TO READ
<p.clarkii@gmail,com > wrote
> are simple refractive changes, cataracts, and potential retinal
> problems (diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, etc.) And such
> an examination is directly in line with the skills and scope of
> practice of optometrists, as well as ophthalmologists, both groups who
> have "medical" training regarding the eye.
I think the first doctor (an optometrist) had it right. He described
yellowing and vacuoles. He blamed the diplopia on vacuoles ("little lenses")
and while that was hogwash, it was closer than anyone else got.
Our OP (ray) said, early on, that his only symptom was monocular polyopia
OU. There just aren't that many things that cause monocular polyplopia OU at
age 67.
Fuch's isn't on the list, short of fresh central erosions. Fuch's is a red
herring, when it comes to explaining the symptoms.
Ray described one LED looking like six, each in focus. He's got refractile
wedges and medicare won't pay until he degrades to 20/40.
I didn't think early Fuch's was such a barrier to surgery, and I suspect
another surgeon might not be so put off.
But waiting for 20/40 seems ill advised.
-MT
<p.clarkii@gmail,com > wrote
> are simple refractive changes, cataracts, and potential retinal
> problems (diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, etc.) And such
> an examination is directly in line with the skills and scope of
> practice of optometrists, as well as ophthalmologists, both groups who
> have "medical" training regarding the eye.
I think the first doctor (an optometrist) had it right. He described
yellowing and vacuoles. He blamed the diplopia on vacuoles ("little lenses")
and while that was hogwash, it was closer than anyone else got.
Our OP (ray) said, early on, that his only symptom was monocular polyopia
OU. There just aren't that many things that cause monocular polyplopia OU at
age 67.
Fuch's isn't on the list, short of fresh central erosions. Fuch's is a red
herring, when it comes to explaining the symptoms.
Ray described one LED looking like six, each in focus. He's got refractile
wedges and medicare won't pay until he degrades to 20/40.
I didn't think early Fuch's was such a barrier to surgery, and I suspect
another surgeon might not be so put off.
But waiting for 20/40 seems ill advised.
-MT
Re: CANNOT SEE TO READ
On Mon, 26 May 2008 16:44:30 -0500, "Mike Tyner"
<mtyner@mindspring,com > wrote:
>
><p.clarkii@gmail,com > wrote
>
>> are simple refractive changes, cataracts, and potential retinal
>> problems (diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, etc.) And such
>> an examination is directly in line with the skills and scope of
>> practice of optometrists, as well as ophthalmologists, both groups who
>> have "medical" training regarding the eye.
>
>I think the first doctor (an optometrist) had it right. He described
>yellowing and vacuoles. He blamed the diplopia on vacuoles ("little lenses")
>and while that was hogwash, it was closer than anyone else got.
>
>Our OP (ray) said, early on, that his only symptom was monocular polyopia
>OU. There just aren't that many things that cause monocular polyplopia OU at
>age 67.
>
>Fuch's isn't on the list, short of fresh central erosions. Fuch's is a red
>herring, when it comes to explaining the symptoms.
>
>Ray described one LED looking like six, each in focus. He's got refractile
>wedges and medicare won't pay until he degrades to 20/40.
>
I appreciate your input, and value your opinion. I am still very
confused. The polyopia came on overnight. After about a month it is
not nearly as bad. Now there a bunch of images close together and
seem to be more smeared than in good focus. The vision gets better
and worse. The Muro drops seems to clear it up sometimes. I put up a
home eye chart and my vision goes from 20/20 to about 20/50.
>I didn't think early Fuch's was such a barrier to surgery, and I suspect
>another surgeon might not be so put off.
>
The cataract surgeon measured corneal thickness of 645 and guttata of
3+. He said the Fuchs is fairly well advanced. How is it determined
how far advanced it is? I am going for a cell count next month. Does
that shed any more light on the subject? He said he has seen too many
people with Fuchs that had bad results with cataract surgery that he
does not recommend operating. John Hopkins says that it is usually OK
for corneal thickness below 640. When I get motivated I will shop for
a cornea surgeon. Do you have any recommendation for a good one in
the pacific northwest? Or would you recommend a different cataract
surgeon?
From the John Hopkins site:
http :// www .hopkinsmedicine.org/wilmer/conditions/fuchs/treatment/fuchs_cataracts.html
Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD) and Cataracts
Some people with cataracts also have Fuchs Endothelial Corneal
Dystrophy (FECD). If a Fuchs patient undergoes cataract surgery, the
fragile endothelial cells of the cornea may be damaged. (The
endothelial cells are those cells at the very back of the cornea. The
endothelial cells deteriorate in patients with FECD.) The loss of too
many of these cells can lead to edema (swelling) of the cornea. This
edema can then sometimes lead to painful corneal bullae (blisters),
deterioration of vision, and eventually, the need for a corneal
transplant.
In summary, in a patient with FECD, a cataract surgery may hasten the
need for a corneal transplant. Because of this risk, the corneas of
FECD patients are examined carefully before cataract surgery.
Sometimes, the eye doctor will decide that the patient should have
both cataract surgery and a corneal transplant at the same time. By
doing this, two separate surgeries are combined into one procedure,
and recovery time is greatly reduced.
Recent research has helped doctors figure out when a Fuchs patient can
have simple cataract surgery and when a Fuchs patient should have a
combined surgery (cataract surgery plus corneal transplant). These
researchers showed that many Fuchs patients with corneas thinner than
640 microns can usually have simple cataract surgery. (A micron is a
very tiny unit of measurement. Each micron is 0.00004 inches long.)
Whenever a person with FECD has cataract surgery, the surgeon uses
special jelly-like material called viscoelastic gel. Viscoelastic gel
is put inside the eye to protect the back of the cornea during the
surgery. The viscoelastic gel is then taken out again at the end of
the surgery. This gel has been shown to greatly decrease endothelial
cell loss during cataract surgery.
Ophthalmologic researchers are trying to figure out if there is a
minimum number of endothelial cells that everyone has to have in order
to see properly. Preliminary research, however, indicates that no
absolute number exists for this threshold value. Instead, it seems to
vary from patient to patient.
>But waiting for 20/40 seems ill advised.
>
>-MT
>
On Mon, 26 May 2008 16:44:30 -0500, "Mike Tyner"
<mtyner@mindspring,com > wrote:
>
><p.clarkii@gmail,com > wrote
>
>> are simple refractive changes, cataracts, and potential retinal
>> problems (diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, etc.) And such
>> an examination is directly in line with the skills and scope of
>> practice of optometrists, as well as ophthalmologists, both groups who
>> have "medical" training regarding the eye.
>
>I think the first doctor (an optometrist) had it right. He described
>yellowing and vacuoles. He blamed the diplopia on vacuoles ("little lenses")
>and while that was hogwash, it was closer than anyone else got.
>
>Our OP (ray) said, early on, that his only symptom was monocular polyopia
>OU. There just aren't that many things that cause monocular polyplopia OU at
>age 67.
>
>Fuch's isn't on the list, short of fresh central erosions. Fuch's is a red
>herring, when it comes to explaining the symptoms.
>
>Ray described one LED looking like six, each in focus. He's got refractile
>wedges and medicare won't pay until he degrades to 20/40.
>
I appreciate your input, and value your opinion. I am still very
confused. The polyopia came on overnight. After about a month it is
not nearly as bad. Now there a bunch of images close together and
seem to be more smeared than in good focus. The vision gets better
and worse. The Muro drops seems to clear it up sometimes. I put up a
home eye chart and my vision goes from 20/20 to about 20/50.
>I didn't think early Fuch's was such a barrier to surgery, and I suspect
>another surgeon might not be so put off.
>
The cataract surgeon measured corneal thickness of 645 and guttata of
3+. He said the Fuchs is fairly well advanced. How is it determined
how far advanced it is? I am going for a cell count next month. Does
that shed any more light on the subject? He said he has seen too many
people with Fuchs that had bad results with cataract surgery that he
does not recommend operating. John Hopkins says that it is usually OK
for corneal thickness below 640. When I get motivated I will shop for
a cornea surgeon. Do you have any recommendation for a good one in
the pacific northwest? Or would you recommend a different cataract
surgeon?
From the John Hopkins site:
http :// www .hopkinsmedicine.org/wilmer/conditions/fuchs/treatment/fuchs_cataracts.html
Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD) and Cataracts
Some people with cataracts also have Fuchs Endothelial Corneal
Dystrophy (FECD). If a Fuchs patient undergoes cataract surgery, the
fragile endothelial cells of the cornea may be damaged. (The
endothelial cells are those cells at the very back of the cornea. The
endothelial cells deteriorate in patients with FECD.) The loss of too
many of these cells can lead to edema (swelling) of the cornea. This
edema can then sometimes lead to painful corneal bullae (blisters),
deterioration of vision, and eventually, the need for a corneal
transplant.
In summary, in a patient with FECD, a cataract surgery may hasten the
need for a corneal transplant. Because of this risk, the corneas of
FECD patients are examined carefully before cataract surgery.
Sometimes, the eye doctor will decide that the patient should have
both cataract surgery and a corneal transplant at the same time. By
doing this, two separate surgeries are combined into one procedure,
and recovery time is greatly reduced.
Recent research has helped doctors figure out when a Fuchs patient can
have simple cataract surgery and when a Fuchs patient should have a
combined surgery (cataract surgery plus corneal transplant). These
researchers showed that many Fuchs patients with corneas thinner than
640 microns can usually have simple cataract surgery. (A micron is a
very tiny unit of measurement. Each micron is 0.00004 inches long.)
Whenever a person with FECD has cataract surgery, the surgeon uses
special jelly-like material called viscoelastic gel. Viscoelastic gel
is put inside the eye to protect the back of the cornea during the
surgery. The viscoelastic gel is then taken out again at the end of
the surgery. This gel has been shown to greatly decrease endothelial
cell loss during cataract surgery.
Ophthalmologic researchers are trying to figure out if there is a
minimum number of endothelial cells that everyone has to have in order
to see properly. Preliminary research, however, indicates that no
absolute number exists for this threshold value. Instead, it seems to
vary from patient to patient.
>But waiting for 20/40 seems ill advised.
>
>-MT
>
Re: CANNOT SEE TO READ
On May 27, 12:03 pm, ray <spamm...@do.not.reply,com > wrote:
> On Mon, 26 May 2008 16:44:30 -0500, "Mike Tyner"
>
>
>
> <mty...@mindspring,com > wrote:
>
> ><p.clar...@gmail,com > wrote
>
> >> are simple refractive changes, cataracts, and potential retinal
> >> problems (diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, etc.) And such
> >> an examination is directly in line with the skills and scope of
> >> practice of optometrists, as well as ophthalmologists, both groups who
> >> have "medical" training regarding the eye.
>
> >I think the first doctor (an optometrist) had it right. He described
> >yellowing and vacuoles. He blamed the diplopia on vacuoles ("little lenses")
> >and while that was hogwash, it was closer than anyone else got.
>
> >Our OP (ray) said, early on, that his only symptom was monocular polyopia
> >OU. There just aren't that many things that cause monocular polyplopia OU at
> >age 67.
>
> >Fuch's isn't on the list, short of fresh central erosions. Fuch's is a red
> >herring, when it comes to explaining the symptoms.
>
> >Ray described one LED looking like six, each in focus. He's got refractile
> >wedges and medicare won't pay until he degrades to 20/40.
>
> I appreciate your input, and value your opinion. I am still very
> confused. The polyopia came on overnight. After about a month it is
> not nearly as bad. Now there a bunch of images close together and
> seem to be more smeared than in good focus. The vision gets better
> and worse. The Muro drops seems to clear it up sometimes. I put up a
> home eye chart and my vision goes from 20/20 to about 20/50.
>
> >I didn't think early Fuch's was such a barrier to surgery, and I suspect
> >another surgeon might not be so put off.
>
> The cataract surgeon measured corneal thickness of 645 and guttata of
> 3+. He said the Fuchs is fairly well advanced. How is it determined
> how far advanced it is? I am going for a cell count next month. Does
> that shed any more light on the subject? He said he has seen too many
> people with Fuchs that had bad results with cataract surgery that he
> does not recommend operating. John Hopkins says that it is usually OK
> for corneal thickness below 640. When I get motivated I will shop for
> a cornea surgeon. Do you have any recommendation for a good one in
> the pacific northwest? Or would you recommend a different cataract
> surgeon?
>
> From the John Hopkins site:
>
> http :// www .hopkinsmedicine.org/wilmer/conditions/fuchs/treatment/fuch...
>
> Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD) and Cataracts
>
> Some people with cataracts also have Fuchs Endothelial Corneal
> Dystrophy (FECD). If a Fuchs patient undergoes cataract surgery, the
> fragile endothelial cells of the cornea may be damaged. (The
> endothelial cells are those cells at the very back of the cornea. The
> endothelial cells deteriorate in patients with FECD.) The loss of too
> many of these cells can lead to edema (swelling) of the cornea. This
> edema can then sometimes lead to painful corneal bullae (blisters),
> deterioration of vision, and eventually, the need for a corneal
> transplant.
>
> In summary, in a patient with FECD, a cataract surgery may hasten the
> need for a corneal transplant. Because of this risk, the corneas of
> FECD patients are examined carefully before cataract surgery.
> Sometimes, the eye doctor will decide that the patient should have
> both cataract surgery and a corneal transplant at the same time. By
> doing this, two separate surgeries are combined into one procedure,
> and recovery time is greatly reduced.
>
> Recent research has helped doctors figure out when a Fuchs patient can
> have simple cataract surgery and when a Fuchs patient should have a
> combined surgery (cataract surgery plus corneal transplant). These
> researchers showed that many Fuchs patients with corneas thinner than
> 640 microns can usually have simple cataract surgery. (A micron is a
> very tiny unit of measurement. Each micron is 0.00004 inches long.)
>
> Whenever a person with FECD has cataract surgery, the surgeon uses
> special jelly-like material called viscoelastic gel. Viscoelastic gel
> is put inside the eye to protect the back of the cornea during the
> surgery. The viscoelastic gel is then taken out again at the end of
> the surgery. This gel has been shown to greatly decrease endothelial
> cell loss during cataract surgery.
>
> Ophthalmologic researchers are trying to figure out if there is a
> minimum number of endothelial cells that everyone has to have in order
> to see properly. Preliminary research, however, indicates that no
> absolute number exists for this threshold value. Instead, it seems to
> vary from patient to patient.
>
> >But waiting for 20/40 seems ill advised.
>
> >-MT
Fuch's is commonplace. 1% of the population is quite a lot of
people. I see people with various stages of Fuch's in my practice on
a weekly basis.
Cataract surgeons are particularly alert to endothelial cell problems
like Fuch's since those patients tend to have a higher rate of
complications than people with healthy endothelial cells.
In its final stages, Fuch's can cause reduced vision, fluctuating
vision, and pain. However, according to my training and experience,
moderate Fuch's such as you seem to have is not a significant
contributer to reduced vision. Perhaps you have cataracts, and the
Fuch's has got the attention of your surgeon simply because it could
impact the success of your surgery. If so, then cataracts is the
primary problem and Fuch's is simply an aggravating circumstance that
complicates your surgery.
Why are you planning on seeing a corneal surgeon? A corneal
transplant (aka penetrating keratoplasty) is an appropriate treatment
for end-stage Fuch's where the cornea is becoming opaque and acuity is
significantly compromised. Is that what your doctor is telling you?
Believe me, you don't want a corneal transplant unless its absolutely
necessary because even a successful outcome is generally not very good.
On May 27, 12:03 pm, ray <spamm...@do.not.reply,com > wrote:
> On Mon, 26 May 2008 16:44:30 -0500, "Mike Tyner"
>
>
>
> <mty...@mindspring,com > wrote:
>
> ><p.clar...@gmail,com > wrote
>
> >> are simple refractive changes, cataracts, and potential retinal
> >> problems (diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, etc.) And such
> >> an examination is directly in line with the skills and scope of
> >> practice of optometrists, as well as ophthalmologists, both groups who
> >> have "medical" training regarding the eye.
>
> >I think the first doctor (an optometrist) had it right. He described
> >yellowing and vacuoles. He blamed the diplopia on vacuoles ("little lenses")
> >and while that was hogwash, it was closer than anyone else got.
>
> >Our OP (ray) said, early on, that his only symptom was monocular polyopia
> >OU. There just aren't that many things that cause monocular polyplopia OU at
> >age 67.
>
> >Fuch's isn't on the list, short of fresh central erosions. Fuch's is a red
> >herring, when it comes to explaining the symptoms.
>
> >Ray described one LED looking like six, each in focus. He's got refractile
> >wedges and medicare won't pay until he degrades to 20/40.
>
> I appreciate your input, and value your opinion. I am still very
> confused. The polyopia came on overnight. After about a month it is
> not nearly as bad. Now there a bunch of images close together and
> seem to be more smeared than in good focus. The vision gets better
> and worse. The Muro drops seems to clear it up sometimes. I put up a
> home eye chart and my vision goes from 20/20 to about 20/50.
>
> >I didn't think early Fuch's was such a barrier to surgery, and I suspect
> >another surgeon might not be so put off.
>
> The cataract surgeon measured corneal thickness of 645 and guttata of
> 3+. He said the Fuchs is fairly well advanced. How is it determined
> how far advanced it is? I am going for a cell count next month. Does
> that shed any more light on the subject? He said he has seen too many
> people with Fuchs that had bad results with cataract surgery that he
> does not recommend operating. John Hopkins says that it is usually OK
> for corneal thickness below 640. When I get motivated I will shop for
> a cornea surgeon. Do you have any recommendation for a good one in
> the pacific northwest? Or would you recommend a different cataract
> surgeon?
>
> From the John Hopkins site:
>
> http :// www .hopkinsmedicine.org/wilmer/conditions/fuchs/treatment/fuch...
>
> Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD) and Cataracts
>
> Some people with cataracts also have Fuchs Endothelial Corneal
> Dystrophy (FECD). If a Fuchs patient undergoes cataract surgery, the
> fragile endothelial cells of the cornea may be damaged. (The
> endothelial cells are those cells at the very back of the cornea. The
> endothelial cells deteriorate in patients with FECD.) The loss of too
> many of these cells can lead to edema (swelling) of the cornea. This
> edema can then sometimes lead to painful corneal bullae (blisters),
> deterioration of vision, and eventually, the need for a corneal
> transplant.
>
> In summary, in a patient with FECD, a cataract surgery may hasten the
> need for a corneal transplant. Because of this risk, the corneas of
> FECD patients are examined carefully before cataract surgery.
> Sometimes, the eye doctor will decide that the patient should have
> both cataract surgery and a corneal transplant at the same time. By
> doing this, two separate surgeries are combined into one procedure,
> and recovery time is greatly reduced.
>
> Recent research has helped doctors figure out when a Fuchs patient can
> have simple cataract surgery and when a Fuchs patient should have a
> combined surgery (cataract surgery plus corneal transplant). These
> researchers showed that many Fuchs patients with corneas thinner than
> 640 microns can usually have simple cataract surgery. (A micron is a
> very tiny unit of measurement. Each micron is 0.00004 inches long.)
>
> Whenever a person with FECD has cataract surgery, the surgeon uses
> special jelly-like material called viscoelastic gel. Viscoelastic gel
> is put inside the eye to protect the back of the cornea during the
> surgery. The viscoelastic gel is then taken out again at the end of
> the surgery. This gel has been shown to greatly decrease endothelial
> cell loss during cataract surgery.
>
> Ophthalmologic researchers are trying to figure out if there is a
> minimum number of endothelial cells that everyone has to have in order
> to see properly. Preliminary research, however, indicates that no
> absolute number exists for this threshold value. Instead, it seems to
> vary from patient to patient.
>
> >But waiting for 20/40 seems ill advised.
>
> >-MT
Fuch's is commonplace. 1% of the population is quite a lot of
people. I see people with various stages of Fuch's in my practice on
a weekly basis.
Cataract surgeons are particularly alert to endothelial cell problems
like Fuch's since those patients tend to have a higher rate of
complications than people with healthy endothelial cells.
In its final stages, Fuch's can cause reduced vision, fluctuating
vision, and pain. However, according to my training and experience,
moderate Fuch's such as you seem to have is not a significant
contributer to reduced vision. Perhaps you have cataracts, and the
Fuch's has got the attention of your surgeon simply because it could
impact the success of your surgery. If so, then cataracts is the
primary problem and Fuch's is simply an aggravating circumstance that
complicates your surgery.
Why are you planning on seeing a corneal surgeon? A corneal
transplant (aka penetrating keratoplasty) is an appropriate treatment
for end-stage Fuch's where the cornea is becoming opaque and acuity is
significantly compromised. Is that what your doctor is telling you?
Believe me, you don't want a corneal transplant unless its absolutely
necessary because even a successful outcome is generally not very good.
Re: CANNOT SEE TO READ
On Tue, 27 May 2008 20:26:03 -0700 (PDT), p.clarkii@gmail,com wrote:
>
>In its final stages, Fuch's can cause reduced vision, fluctuating
>vision, and pain. However, according to my training and experience,
>moderate Fuch's such as you seem to have is not a significant
>contributer to reduced vision. Perhaps you have cataracts, and the
>Fuch's has got the attention of your surgeon simply because it could
>impact the success of your surgery. If so, then cataracts is the
>primary problem and Fuch's is simply an aggravating circumstance that
>complicates your surgery.
>
>Why are you planning on seeing a corneal surgeon? A corneal
>transplant (aka penetrating keratoplasty) is an appropriate treatment
>for end-stage Fuch's where the cornea is becoming opaque and acuity is
>significantly compromised. Is that what your doctor is telling you?
>Believe me, you don't want a corneal transplant unless its absolutely
>necessary because even a successful outcome is generally not very good.
I will see the corneal surgeon on the recommendation of the cataract
surgeon that I am currently seeing. Also with 3 different opinions so
far I am looking for another expert opinion. Now that I know what
condition I have I can ask better questions. Based on visual
inspection the cataract guy is saying the Fuchs' is more than
moderate. I am in no hurry whatsoever. My current vision fluctuates
between 20/20 and 20/50. When reading for a couple hours the lines of
print appear to be double and are hard to read. I can live with it. I
thought the latest in Fuchs' was to just replace the endothelium
layer.
On Tue, 27 May 2008 20:26:03 -0700 (PDT), p.clarkii@gmail,com wrote:
>
>In its final stages, Fuch's can cause reduced vision, fluctuating
>vision, and pain. However, according to my training and experience,
>moderate Fuch's such as you seem to have is not a significant
>contributer to reduced vision. Perhaps you have cataracts, and the
>Fuch's has got the attention of your surgeon simply because it could
>impact the success of your surgery. If so, then cataracts is the
>primary problem and Fuch's is simply an aggravating circumstance that
>complicates your surgery.
>
>Why are you planning on seeing a corneal surgeon? A corneal
>transplant (aka penetrating keratoplasty) is an appropriate treatment
>for end-stage Fuch's where the cornea is becoming opaque and acuity is
>significantly compromised. Is that what your doctor is telling you?
>Believe me, you don't want a corneal transplant unless its absolutely
>necessary because even a successful outcome is generally not very good.
I will see the corneal surgeon on the recommendation of the cataract
surgeon that I am currently seeing. Also with 3 different opinions so
far I am looking for another expert opinion. Now that I know what
condition I have I can ask better questions. Based on visual
inspection the cataract guy is saying the Fuchs' is more than
moderate. I am in no hurry whatsoever. My current vision fluctuates
between 20/20 and 20/50. When reading for a couple hours the lines of
print appear to be double and are hard to read. I can live with it. I
thought the latest in Fuchs' was to just replace the endothelium
layer.
Re: CANNOT SEE TO READ
On May 28, 9:09 am, ray <spamm...@do.not.reply,com > wrote:
> I
> thought the latest in Fuchs' was to just replace the endothelium
> layer.
indeed. the procedure is called DSEK. there is not yet exhaustive
clinical experience with this procedure versus penetrating
keratoplasty but it appears to be significantly better. the biggest
problem you may have is finding a surgeon who has a lot of experience
with it. but this is something you need to discuss with your doctor.
On May 28, 9:09 am, ray <spamm...@do.not.reply,com > wrote:
> I
> thought the latest in Fuchs' was to just replace the endothelium
> layer.
indeed. the procedure is called DSEK. there is not yet exhaustive
clinical experience with this procedure versus penetrating
keratoplasty but it appears to be significantly better. the biggest
problem you may have is finding a surgeon who has a lot of experience
with it. but this is something you need to discuss with your doctor.
Re: CANNOT SEE TO READ
On Sun, 25 May 2008 22:33:01 -0500, "Mike Tyner" <mtyner@mindspring,com >
wrote:
>> Does Fuchs's appear to be similar to a mass of blood (or similar material)
>> in that when the eye is not very active it spreads across the vision to
>> simulate a very thin covering and when the eye is active it coalesces into
>> a
>> blob that may cover 50 percent of the field of view (sitting in the
>> center)?
>
>Fuch's makes the back side of the cornea look a little like frosted glass,
>the texture of an orange peel.
>
>There is no blood, and no "blob" to form any image.
>
>The central cornea is usually worst, and the hazy vision isn't usually
>concentrated in any particular field or direction.
>
>Fuch's is not rare, and it's difficult to miss if you're paying attention.
>
>-MT, OD
>
====================
Thanks for the info.
On Sun, 25 May 2008 22:33:01 -0500, "Mike Tyner" <mtyner@mindspring,com >
wrote:
>> Does Fuchs's appear to be similar to a mass of blood (or similar material)
>> in that when the eye is not very active it spreads across the vision to
>> simulate a very thin covering and when the eye is active it coalesces into
>> a
>> blob that may cover 50 percent of the field of view (sitting in the
>> center)?
>
>Fuch's makes the back side of the cornea look a little like frosted glass,
>the texture of an orange peel.
>
>There is no blood, and no "blob" to form any image.
>
>The central cornea is usually worst, and the hazy vision isn't usually
>concentrated in any particular field or direction.
>
>Fuch's is not rare, and it's difficult to miss if you're paying attention.
>
>-MT, OD
>
====================
Thanks for the info.
Re: CANNOT SEE TO READ
You are quite right that there are many different possible reasons for
your vision difficulties, but your age and symptoms would indicate
that cataracts are a likely source of the problem. Cataracts are when
the natural lens within the eye becomes cloudy.
Cataract surgery involves removing the old cloudy lens and replacing
it with an artificial lens.
A comprehensive evaluation by a medical eye doctor does seem to be in
order.
Glenn Hagele
Executive Director
USAEyes (R)
Patient Advocacy Surgeon Certification
"Consider and Choose With Confidence" (TM)
Email to glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org
http :// www .USAEyes.org
Lasik Bulletin Board
http :// www .USAEyes.org/Ask-Lasik-Expert/
I am not a doctor.
Copyright 2008
All Rights Reserved
You are quite right that there are many different possible reasons for
your vision difficulties, but your age and symptoms would indicate
that cataracts are a likely source of the problem. Cataracts are when
the natural lens within the eye becomes cloudy.
Cataract surgery involves removing the old cloudy lens and replacing
it with an artificial lens.
A comprehensive evaluation by a medical eye doctor does seem to be in
order.
Glenn Hagele
Executive Director
USAEyes (R)
Patient Advocacy Surgeon Certification
"Consider and Choose With Confidence" (TM)
Email to glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org
http :// www .USAEyes.org
Lasik Bulletin Board
http :// www .USAEyes.org/Ask-Lasik-Expert/
I am not a doctor.
Copyright 2008
All Rights Reserved
