Question for Mrs. D and other experts regarding eyesight and neuropathy
 

As Mrs D. and others here know, I have suffered with small fiber neuropathy since 2005. It first began as a purely crainal (facial) neuropathy, which then faded away over time and was replaced with a distal small fiber neuropathy.

It affects my hands, my feet to a small degree, and the skin over my calves and knees to a small degree as well.

My small fiber neuropathy was officially diognosed via the "Therapath" skin biopsy, which was then followed over several years with repeat biopsies. The biopsies showed an average of a 20% below normal nerve fiber density at the extremities, and normal but steadily decreasing nerve density values proximally.

Since 2008, I have noticed steadily increasing levels of "Veiled Glare" with regards to my eyesight. In other words, I am getting a lot of "wash-out" of contrast sensivity. An example of this would be sitting in a dark room with someone sitting across a table from me. Behind them, in-turn, would be a bright window with sunlight entering through it.

The details of the person sitting in front of me, in-turn, would then be lost to a great degree in light "wash-out".

The reason that this is called "veiled glare" is because when I lower my hand slowly from my forehead down across my eyes, much of the light scatter and glare evenly disappears across both my eyes, and I regain sharp visual contrast.

That said, in September, 2010 my eye doctor did an "OCT" scan of my retinia. This relatively new technology measure the retinal thickness of your eye, and can be a measure of nerve intregity.

My OCT results showed a 22% age-adjusted decrease in my retinal nerve density, which is very close to what my skin biopsy showed.

I should also mention that I was also dignosed with every early-stage cataracts (at age 48). The opinion of my eye doctors is that my "veiled glare" was likely due to internal light scatter from my cataracts, and not due to any nerve issues.

They said that glare issues are usually due more to optics (such a small cateracts within a lens) as opposed to being caused by retinal nerve issues.

Do you have any thoughts on the various data I have thrown out here? Could the glare issues possibly be associated with my underlying neuropathy?

I appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks!

David

My eyes have always been sensitive to bright light. I am severely myoptic too. So I wear Eagle Eyes sun glasses driving (over 10 yrs now). And I have transition lenses for everyday brightness.
BluBlockers and Eagle Eye sun glasses change the blue wavelengths of bright light, and help with focus. The blue in bright light may not focus completely on the retina due to its wavelength and cause a blur result. BluBlockers tend to make things orange, but the Eagle Eyes do not. Both my hubby and I use one or the other driving, and they make it much less tiring. They also work well on foggy overcast situations.
http://www.eagleeyes.com/technology/lens.lasso
They are pricey but very very good. I think you might like them.
(Amazon has them less $$ than the website)

One can have optic neuritis associated with low B12 levels, too.

It might be a good idea to use the special formulas made for vision. Like Preservision vitamins. They contain antioxidants and zinc.

Since you've already been to the doctor about this, all you can do is try the supplements for the retina and sunglasses.

I have severe light sensitivity. I keep my blinds closed and have black out shades for one room.
I have a lot of eye problems so have seen many eye specialists. Then when things were ruled out after many tests I went back to my neurologist who did an mri. Are you under the care of a neuro? Maybe you could talk to him or her about that. Do you get any head aches or pressure in your eyes or near?