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Original poster

What could this be? Problem with mum's eyesight

13 replies

catwithflowers · 29/10/2011 15:10

Hi, does anyone have any idea what the problem could be? My mum, aged 71, has been having quite a few episodes (becoming more common) where she suddenly loses vision in her left eye. She says the other eye is fine but she is completely blind in the left one for about 30 seconds then gradually, the vision is restored. She says it is as if someone is raising a roller blind from bottom to top as each episode ends and her vision is back to normal. Dad and I have finally persuaded her to see the GP on Monday as we are all worried.

Does anyone have any idea what this could be? Just saw something about mini-strokes which states blurred vision and temporary blindness as warning signs which has scared me a lot Sad

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
ScaredyDog · 29/10/2011 23:45

Don't wish to panic you, but get her to an eye hospital tomorrow.

I don't think a detached retina comes and goes, but symptoms do involve losing your field of vision like a curtain being drawn across.

My mum had something similar (but she went to the eye hospital when it first happened) and was told it was probably a very small arterial blockage that caused part of her vision to be lost. However, it came back straight away and she hasn't had any further problems - she went straight to A&E because I was worried about retinal detachment.

She really does need to see someone asap and if she were my mum, I'd get her somewhere tomorrow and wouldn't wait until Monday. A GP would refer her to eye hospital anyway to be examined as there is nothing a GP can really do to properly examine her eyes, so just get her there yourself if you can.

It could turn out to be a ocular migraine, which would be nothing to worry about, but a GP can't really help with anything to do with what's going on in the eye and you need an ophthalmologist.

NK346f2849X127d8bca260 · 30/10/2011 00:19

I was told to look out for this by optician as it can be a sign of a detached retina. She needs to go to the hospital asap and not wait for a doctors appointment.

concretefeet · 30/10/2011 01:20

I would be worried about the scenerio you said called amaurosis fugax There are several other differential diagnosis and she needs someone to look at her eyes asap as that is the only way to tell.
GP should refer her immediately to the hospital eye clinic on Monday for further investigation . Most hospitals have access to an on call/emergency ophthalmology clinic and if anything worsens before Monday she should go to A and E immediately.

chipmonkey · 30/10/2011 01:38

Agree with concretefeet.

Original poster
catwithflowers · 30/10/2011 07:21

Thank you all. Will do as suggested (although she will argue like mad). Perhaps if I call NHS Direct they will give the same advice as here but she will feel the urgency more as it is given by 'professionals'.

OP posts:
Original poster
catwithflowers · 30/10/2011 10:03

Phoned NHS Direct who recommended A&E so dad is taking her there now. Thanks so much. Will let you know the outcome Smile

OP posts:
chipmonkey · 30/10/2011 19:09

Hope she's OK.

SazZaVoom · 30/10/2011 19:11

Hope all went ok today and it wasn't too serious/treatable.

Original poster
catwithflowers · 30/10/2011 21:09

My mum waited 4 hours in A&E but in the end, she was very glad she went. The doctor said that the temporary blindness was not, in his opinion, to do with the retina but caused by small blood clots in front of the eye which are one of the early symptoms of a possible stroke Shock

He gave her asprin immediately and made an appointment with an eye specialist at the same hospital which should be within a week. Thank you all so much for your advice.

OP posts:
Original poster
catwithflowers · 01/11/2011 13:49

Thanks Thanks Thanks to everyone who posted on this thread. My mum just got back from hospital where she had scans, ECGs, blood tests etc - she has to be admitted within a few days for an operation to clean the very narrow artery in her neck which is preventing blood flow and would probably have led to her having a stroke if untreated Sad

She is being v positive and SO pleased that she went to A&E when she did. She is in Mark and Sparks now buying some new hospital pyjamas and slippers - its her first time in hospital in 67 years!

Bless you all for taking the trouble to post your advice

OP posts:
SazZandASparkler · 01/11/2011 13:51

Oh Cat, i am so pleased she has been seen so quickly and there is a positive step to be taken. The NHS can be brilliant sometimes.

Might i suggest whilst in M&S she picks up some hot smoked salmon, new potatoes & salad to munch on - i sent DH for some whilst i was in hospital as so fed up with the stodge Grin

Good luck to her for the op. x

Original poster
catwithflowers · 01/11/2011 13:55

Thank you Saz Smile

OP posts:
chipmonkey · 01/11/2011 14:03

cat, glad she is being looked after.

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