Eye Problems Archives

Retinal contusion/Optic neuritis

Hi Walt,
I am a 40 year old male. I had a accident on my dirt bike 3 weeks ago and suffered multiple injuries that are all healing except my right eye.
I was wearing full motocross protection (helmet, goggles, gloves, pants, boots, & body armor) That Saturday evening when I went to the emergency room, my right eye was completely fuzzy. The ER doctor put a dye in and examined it with a UV light. He said he didn't see anythig in there and referred me to a eye doctor that following Monday. The next morning following the ER visit, I could see ok and read with my right eye. Later that day I developed a blind spot in my focal point (right where I would normaly read) It is a blob shaped area with a tiny hole that I can see through. The hole is big enough to see one letter from a word. Everything around it is blurred out. My periphial vision is good. I have an existing ambliopic (lazy eye) condition in my left eye with 20/200 that is incorrectable. At this point I am on medical leave from wok as I cannot read or drive. My job requires me to read and use computers.

The first doctor's diagnosis was central scatoma/optic neuritis and referred me to a neuro opthomologist and a retina specialist. The last two doctors diagnosis was a commotio, contusion caused by blunt trauma to retina and/or optic nerve. Both said I should start gaining my sight back in 2 to 3 weeks. It has been right at 3 weeks now and I have no improvement. The shape hasn't changed. When I blink, I can see the shape like a negative image. Sometimes the area strobes and pulsates, other times I see flashes of bright colors.

Do you think the diagnosis are correct? What are my chances of gaining 100% of my vision back? What is the time frame for recovery? I am trying to be positive about things but admit I'm worried. Any advise you can offer would be appreciated. One thing that baffles me is that the front of my eye showed no sign of blunt trauna after the accident. Is it possible to get this sort of injury without blunt trauma to the front of the eye? Thanks. John K.

Follow Ups:

• Re: Retinal contusion/Optic neuritis (traumatic retinal damage) Archive. Walt Stoll [9.8] 16:26:33 2/27/04 (0)

In Reply to: Retinal contusion/Optic neuritis posted by John Kennedy [1748.4] on February 27, 2004 at 00:23:11:

Hi, John.

Not good! What? Do you think you are a kid again :o)? I hope this warning does not cost the sight in this eye and you stop doing risky stuff like this. Leave it to the kids.

I had to fracture my pelvis to learn this at the age of 55 when my eldest son and I decided to try sky diving. SO, you do not have a monopoly in doing stupid things like this :o(.

It is pretty late to do much about this other than laser "tacking" of the retina you have left. You have to be in very close contact with your ophthalmologist during this time.

I wish you had been started on at least 200 milligrams of CoEnzyme Q10 twice a day immediately upon having your first symptoms along with at least 3000 milligrams of omega 3s, 50 milligrams of zinc, 2000 milligrams of esterified vitamin C and 500 units of mixed tocopherols (vitamin E) twice a day. Even now, this could not hurt you but just might stop the progression of this damage.

Let us know how you do.

Walt