Inflamed optic nerves question

[Borahnatty]

I know there’s been another post on this subject today so seems the day for eyes!

if anyone could advise on this it would really help my stress levels.

Last week I had a routine eye test at Specsavers. I had one of those photos taken that shows the backs of your eyes. Afterwards the optician looked very worried and said my optic nerves were swollen in both eyes and she wanted me to go to hospital straight after the appointment. However, she then finished all the other tests and said they were normal so she would contact the branch where I last had an eye test (18 months ago) and request the results, compare them, and then ring me. She rung a few hours later to say the results were ‘about the same’ and she no longer thinks it’s anything to worry about. She’s referred me to an eye clinic to be on the safe side but non urgently.

I’m really confused by it all! And unfortunately have been Googling and now totally paranoid about brain tumours and bleeds etc etc.

if she was so concerned, why wasn’t it even mentioned at my previous appointment?

My eye sight has got loads worse recently (confirmed at appointment) so I’m quite concerned. Has anyone had anything like this before?

Sorry you’re worrying after the appointment.

optic nerve swelling can just appear so might not have been on the previous tests.

you could always ask for another eye test to see if there is anything to worry about.

Thank you for the reply. The swelling was on both tests, sorry if that wasn’t clear.

You could always phone the eye clinic and ask how long the wait is likely to be. I had swollen discs once and ended up being told I had IIH. Then six months later the discs went back to normal and I was told I didn't have it. I started off at eye clinic who then sent me off for a CT scan and lumbar puncture. I expect you'll hear from the eye clinic fairly soon. Try not to worry. It can be nothing. But when you do get called in, plan for being there all day just in case. The wait for scans can be long.

Thanks for the reply! I’m trying not to worry but can’t stop googling which I know is stupid. I can’t find any info at all about what it might mean if it’s not changed in 18 months but I’m guessing that can only be a good thing? Hopefully the appointment will come through soon! I’m wondering IIH too because I suffer with pulsatile tinnitus which can be another symptom.

I think my optician initially told me I'd have to go straight to the eye hospital but after she phoned them, they said they'd contact me in a few days. They then phoned me to come in. I'm hoping that's the case for you.

Whilst it can be nothing serious, you need to get it checked out quite quickly I'd say, just in case.

IIH tends to affect those of us who are 30 to 40, female and overweight. They are starting to think in the US that there may be a connection to hormonal birth control. There's a good IIH group on Facebook if you do find you have it.

I hope you find out more in the coming week.

Similar to above poster I had this at vision express was sent straight to hospital then in the space of 2 weeks had 3 lumbar punctures prescribed a ton of daily medication and see opthamology for intense tests every 4 weeks since , I was diagnosed with iih and chiari malformation, had been telling the gp for a year prior that I had unbearable headaches dizziness vision disturbances/ eyes blacking out when bending down or lifting, nausea and pain and weakness/tingling in my arms legs and hands they kept saying it was fibromyalgia and it wasn’t that at all I’m now patiently waiting for shunt brain surgery to save my eye sight, if you are concerned I would push it because I’m so glad I went to opticians now I know what’s wrong

If it was present on both tests it’s more likely to be something which makes the discs appear swollen. Did you have an OCT done? Was there any haemorrhaging on the funds photo?

Thank you for all the replies! Really appreciated. Yes I had the OCT and there was no mention of haemorrhaging so I’m assuming not? The optician did say that all the tests were normal aside from whatever is was that showed the inflammation. Once she got my previous results back she said she wasn’t too concerned but that she’d refer me to be seen in about 2 weeks at an eye clinic. I guess I just don’t understand why it wasn’t picked up the last time if it was the same then. Thanks again.

No, I don't understand why you weren't referred before. I think if they don't have a decent explanation find a new optician. An optometrist was recently prosecuted for not urgently referring a DC with swollen optical nerves. You need to know what their reasoning is.