Black Spot In Vision That’s Last Seconds To Less Than

Posted on Wed, 3 Apr 2019

Question: Black spot in vision that’s last seconds to less than 5 min. Happens in light and moves with eye and not a floater. MRI is normal and so are eye inspections. Gotten more frequent with retinal repair surgery. Only appears on one eye at a time. Happens multiple times an hour.
What should I do if doctors are stumped?

Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Vascular phenomenon.

Detailed Answer:
My dear,
Thanks for sending your query to us.
Such spots,if not floaters (they have entirely different character,primarily they are not transient) are vascular phenomenon.Do they appear on exertion ? As long as the eye examination is normal,we do not attach too much of importance to these spots,though they are disturbing.
we need to have details of retinal surgery and their association with exertion.
If associated with exertion,high impact activity is to be avoided and take due care of general health.Do get back to me with relevant details and for any further query in this regard.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. N K Mishra (23 hours later)

The laser treatment was used to seal tears and the retina; it occurs in bright light and outside and when I stress. No additional floaters or shadows accompany it.

Thank you for your help let me know of additional details needed

Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
More details needed.

Detailed Answer:
My dear,
Thanks for getting back to me.
As we have constraints of not examining you,more details available will help to offer useful suggestions.
Have these spots come up after laser or were pre existing?Are they visible in one area or sector or all around.Do they have a white shimmering colour?
Do get back to me with these details.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. N K Mishra (16 hours later)

They started after first laser treatment for small tear and have been going on a year since. I was prescribed nadol and sumatriptan but neither work. I usually see it in center vision or slight up from central in peripheral. It flickers as I move my eye.

Thanking in advance

Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Vascular phenomenon

Detailed Answer:
My dear,
Good of you to get back to me.
This is a vascular phenomenon, probably triggered by injury of laser treatment to the eye.
There is a trigger for migraine attacks also but that is a scintillating scotoma and is followed by headache. Controlling BP also helps.
Focus should also be on circulatory system,hemodynamics and serum analysis can also be looked into.Any of these could lead us to a proper direction.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T