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Suggest Treatment For Temporary Loss Of Vision In An Elderly Person
Question: My husband(87) is in good health, takes no prescription drugs. Only curcumin for arthritis occasionally.
Last Wednesday night(Dec. 28th) he had an episode with his left eye. It was like a curtain lowering, with vision loss, and slowly the curtain raised up again within 1 to 2 minutes, and full eyesight renewed. He hasn't had any further episodes and no stroke symptoms or heart issues. We had his SED rate analyzed and this resulted in a score of 6, normal. He had an ultrasound of the carotid arteries, and, again, no symptoms evident of blockage of the arteries with plaque buildup.
What was this left eyesight loss about and what other tests can we have done for XXXXXXX to solve this mystery?
Last Wednesday night(Dec. 28th) he had an episode with his left eye. It was like a curtain lowering, with vision loss, and slowly the curtain raised up again within 1 to 2 minutes, and full eyesight renewed. He hasn't had any further episodes and no stroke symptoms or heart issues. We had his SED rate analyzed and this resulted in a score of 6, normal. He had an ultrasound of the carotid arteries, and, again, no symptoms evident of blockage of the arteries with plaque buildup.
What was this left eyesight loss about and what other tests can we have done for XXXXXXX to solve this mystery?
Brief Answer:
Amaurosis fugax.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,
Thank you for posting your query on HCM.
Well looking into your query I will like to tell you that , there can be multiple causes for this condition known as amaurosis fugax . Considering age of your husband , it could be a TIA rather than a problem with the eye itself , so thats why the ophthalmic examination is normal . Can you tell me whether he had any such issue earlier also or family history of stroke . Any other information you think is relevant for us please let us know so that we can help you out in better way .
Take care.
Dr. Shruti
Amaurosis fugax.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,
Thank you for posting your query on HCM.
Well looking into your query I will like to tell you that , there can be multiple causes for this condition known as amaurosis fugax . Considering age of your husband , it could be a TIA rather than a problem with the eye itself , so thats why the ophthalmic examination is normal . Can you tell me whether he had any such issue earlier also or family history of stroke . Any other information you think is relevant for us please let us know so that we can help you out in better way .
Take care.
Dr. Shruti
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you, Dr. XXXXXXX for your valuable information and analysis of my husbands condition.
He has had no past issues concerning loss of eyesight in one eye(or both!). He does have CLL but his bloodwork has been unchanged for over 10 years!! We see an oncologist twice a year. XXXXXXX has no history of stroke symptoms and no relatives have had strokes or any such symptoms of stroke.
Could you please explain what amaurosis fugax is? And could this be caused by an aneurism, an ocular migraine, or was it a vaso-spasm? Could he have a heart valve issue? The TIA seems most likely from your comment and from my recent research.
Finally, who should he see for further tests, and would they show up anything now that this episode has passed for several days now, with no reoccurrence?
Thank you, again, for your valuable help. XXXXXXX XXXX
He has had no past issues concerning loss of eyesight in one eye(or both!). He does have CLL but his bloodwork has been unchanged for over 10 years!! We see an oncologist twice a year. XXXXXXX has no history of stroke symptoms and no relatives have had strokes or any such symptoms of stroke.
Could you please explain what amaurosis fugax is? And could this be caused by an aneurism, an ocular migraine, or was it a vaso-spasm? Could he have a heart valve issue? The TIA seems most likely from your comment and from my recent research.
Finally, who should he see for further tests, and would they show up anything now that this episode has passed for several days now, with no reoccurrence?
Thank you, again, for your valuable help. XXXXXXX XXXX
Brief Answer:
Follows.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,
Thank you for reverting back.
Amaurosis fugax is the medical term used for such episodes . It will be difficult to say but yes it could be ocular migraine but not aneurysm and vasospasm . I think carotid ultrasound has been done . A complete lipid profile and echocardiography of heart should be done although valvular lesion is unlikely . Rest I dont thonk any other test will show anything positive now that the episode has passed off .
Dr. Shruti
Follows.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,
Thank you for reverting back.
Amaurosis fugax is the medical term used for such episodes . It will be difficult to say but yes it could be ocular migraine but not aneurysm and vasospasm . I think carotid ultrasound has been done . A complete lipid profile and echocardiography of heart should be done although valvular lesion is unlikely . Rest I dont thonk any other test will show anything positive now that the episode has passed off .
Dr. Shruti
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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