Claritan-

When I first started therapies, I honestly thought most of my problems were in relation to my vestibular system, as I was dizzy and disoriented most of the time. Upon starting vestibular therapy after 3 weeks, they were concerned that I was having problems with my vision. When I would look at something close up, to focus, my eyes would go apart, instead of coming together.

After a neurobehavioral opthamologist evaluated me, he sent me to vision therapy. On top of going the wrong way when I was focusing up close, for the most part my eyes were not working together and images to my brain that didn't match up. After some time of trying to fit the two pictures together, my brain would just shut off the input from my left eye. (It was the oddest feeling!) It explained why I was cut and bruised on my legs and hands so much, as this caused me to have a very skewed sense of depth perception!

Also, during the evaluation they found that I have field deficits in my left eye. This has stayed consistent throughout the past two years.

After vision therapy, my eyes began working together. This really helped improve my symptoms as my brain did not have to work so hard to make sense of what my eyes were telling it I was seeing.

I was also given glasses, (I did not ever have vision problems prior to my accident). The left eye has a slight prism in it. They are also coated to lessen the input when I'm in environments with fluorescent lighting.

Recently, upon starting another semester of grad school, (part time and with accommodations), I began to struggle again with eye sensitivity and that feeling that my left eye was shutting off. Due to insurance, I had to see a new neuro-opth.

Apparently the extra computer time and reading, was causing my eyes to dry out to fast and I have a ton of corneal abrasions. Again, my brain couldn't make sense of the input because the abrasions make "little scuff marks" in the image. They have prescribed lubricating eye drops during the day and a gel at night to heal the abrasions and keep my eyes lubricated enough.

I have also had throughout the past two years experiences where I would have what seemed like lightning flashing accross my field of vision. It would last for a couple of minutes and then I would feel really weird aftewards. My new neuro-opth wants an EEG as she thinks I'm having visual seizures.

So, vision therapy and my glasses have fixed most of my vision problems in terms of my eyes working together. I still struggle with sensitivity to light, although this is supposed to get a little better with eye drops. (I also wear sunglasses, at times indoors, to cut the glare.) This is something I"ve learned to live with and I just try to limit my exposure to bright lighting, such as computer time or sitting in an area with harsh fluorescent lighting.

The visual seizure is yet to be determined, but could be fixed with medication. However, it doesn't happen too frequently, so I would probably opt not to get medication (I already on a ton of Rxs) and just know that when I have one, I should rest afterwards.