Frustrations with Neuro-Ophthalmologist
 

Let me start by saying that I thought that seeing a neuro-ophthalmologist would be a turning point for me, based on discussions with the brain clinic and OT.

Boy was I wrong. Appointment seemed like the biggest waste of time. Spent 3 hours waiting to be seen by someone before dr, he asked some questions and focused only on the 2 times I lost my vision due to stress. Said it was a type of migraine headache, except my head never hurt when this happened.

Didn't even discuss any of the other problems that I have with tracking, focus, double vision, depth perception, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, aching/tired eyes, etc.

They did less testing than the regular ophthalmologist that referred me did. Told me everything was fine.

Frustrated as both brain clinic and OT said that I would likely need additional glasses (i've always been an eye glass wearer) for working at the computer, driving, nighttime, etc.

Before TBI I would spend 8-12 hours a day at the computer, now I am lucky to spend that over the course of 2-3 weeks. Just sitting here typing this is giving me a horrible headache.

Anyone have any experience or advice? Brain clinic dr didn't seem surprised that they were of no help.

I'm sorry. I had an almost identical experience and I have very debilitating issues with my eyes. After he gave a short check of my eyes he told me to walk. I lose all proprioception (knowing where my body is in space) when my eyes are asked to do much and so I started

falling all over. He told me I was walking "wrong". No **** Sherlock I have no idea where my feet are. I have gone to a chiropractic neurologist and a developmental ophthalmologist who

have diagnosed what is happening but insurance does not cover them of course. Beyond frustrating. I think you just need to find the people who have the knowledge, but you would really expect a neuro ophthalmologist to be that person.

I had a similar experience last year. Really was expecting to get some answers for my eye problems, but all I got was a quick checkup and that my eyes will sort themselves out with time (this was a year after my injury).
I tried asking that maybe prism lenses or different tints might help, but the doc said it's a waste of time and $$.
Now another year passed and although my eyes feel better than last year, I still have issues.

KnockedOutMom,

Your frustrations are understandable but please try to not direct them at the doctors. If other doctors notice your frustration, it could work against you.

There are migraines that do not manifest pain. What the doc said about those vision loss episodes could very likely be correct.

"Brain clinic dr didn't seem surprised that they were of no help. "
This could just mean they considered your symptoms a challenge to diagnose and are not surprised the neuro-ophtho could do no better.

Plenty of us feel your frustration.

My best to you.

Another option to try is a behavioral optometrist. These doctors often have practitioners who do vision therapy that may be able to help address some of the issues you are describing.

You can find referrals at http://www.braininjuries.org or http://www.nora.cc

Thank you for your feedback Mark!

Can you expand on how doctors noticing my frustrations could work against me?

I am going to look into this, thanks!

KOM

I have most of the vision problems that you do

I started vision testing with a behavioral optomotrist while I was waiting to get into orthoptics clinic (referred by my opthomologist) My accident left my left eye knocked out of alignment so I ended up getting prescribed prism lenses for reading. That has allowed me to be able to read comfortably finally.

My orthoptics clinic visits were covered by my provincial health plan, the behavioral optomotrist was not so you might want to check that out.