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Seeing an opthamolagist, any hints?

Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 3:46 pm
by CureOrBust
From another thread.
EyeDoc wrote:As an aside: The OCT is a wonderful tool for measuring the thickness of the retinal nerve fibre layer. This is the layer that carries light signals into the optic nerve which allows us to see. OCT is currently covered by insurances and used for diagnosing and following glaucoma patients. There are other disease that can affect this layer, including MS, but medical insurance coverage is not complete. Irregardless, I do baseline OCT measurements on all MS patients whether I can get paid for it or not. ... Aside #2...as great as the OCT is, it costs about $60K. Don't expect all eye doctors to have one.
I currently have no issues with my eyes, apart from some nystagmus when I look hard to my extremities. I have never had O.N. . I have however used oral steroids for quite a few years :( so thought it would be a good idea (after reading EyeDoc's post) to get checked for glaucoma's etc. I got a referral from my GP, and made sure the guy had a machine to perform an OCT, and had it specifically included on my referral.

I am sure he will obviously do a competency check of my vision by default. So, is there anything else people think I should specifically get checked while I am with the ophthalmologist?

I was going to PM EyeDoc, but realised others may benefit also.

Re: Seeing an opthamolagist, any hints?

Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:44 am
by EyeDoc
CureOrBust wrote:From another thread.
EyeDoc wrote:As an aside: The OCT is a wonderful tool for measuring the thickness of the retinal nerve fibre layer. This is the layer that carries light signals into the optic nerve which allows us to see. OCT is currently covered by insurances and used for diagnosing and following glaucoma patients. There are other disease that can affect this layer, including MS, but medical insurance coverage is not complete. Irregardless, I do baseline OCT measurements on all MS patients whether I can get paid for it or not. ... Aside #2...as great as the OCT is, it costs about $60K. Don't expect all eye doctors to have one.
I currently have no issues with my eyes, apart from some nystagmus when I look hard to my extremities. I have never had O.N. . I have however used oral steroids for quite a few years :( so thought it would be a good idea (after reading EyeDoc's post) to get checked for glaucoma's etc. I got a referral from my GP, and made sure the guy had a machine to perform an OCT, and had it specifically included on my referral.

I am sure he will obviously do a competency check of my vision by default. So, is there anything else people think I should specifically get checked while I am with the ophthalmologist?

I was going to PM EyeDoc, but realised others may benefit also.
Well, my reply is a month late, and not at all timely, but.....

I think you have already been proactive in making sure they could do a baseline OCT measurement on you. Since you are not having specific problems, per se, an ophthalmologist will take a careful look at your health to rule out any MS related issues. The nystagmus you describe can be normal and unrelated to MS. If it is, it is called end point nystagmus. We all get nystagmus if we look far enough to the sides.

Otherwise, make sure you describe any odd symptoms you may think of. You never know what can matter!

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 3:06 pm
by peekaboo
I have been to my eye doc in the last few mos. and my field of vision test was too good. my doc prescribed me glaucoma drops. is this a ms symtom eye doc?

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 10:22 pm
by msmything
my eye Dr did the whole diagnistic thing, then the field of vision thing, then took photographs of each optic nerve, which showed inflammation in the right side.
I don't know what the DOC test is , it nmay have been done

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:58 am
by EyeDoc
peekaboo wrote:I have been to my eye doc in the last few mos. and my field of vision test was too good. my doc prescribed me glaucoma drops. is this a ms symtom eye doc?
No, glaucoma is unrelated to MS. It is a dangerous disease, though, and one that can slowly steal your vision. Stick with those drops!