posted
Today I took my son to an ophthalmologist to be evaluated. He has reported having "massive floater and light shows". These have occurred maybe 5 times since June. He also reports seeing lots of colored lights and things in his vision at random times.
Anyway the doctor said that he could see a few floaters in my son's eyes and that would explain his complaints but that this was unusual in a young teenager (My son will be 15 next month). The good news is that his retinas are fine. My son has chronic Lyme disease-having first been treated following a bulls-eye rash in 2002.
Now the question is whether he should go to a neurologist or just see how things go over the next few months.
Thanks for any thoughts.
--Judy
Posts: 67 | From Maryland | Registered: Jun 2003
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tick battler
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 21113
posted
One of my boys (age 5) had this for about 8 months during treatment. I suspect it is a symptom of babesia but of course it could be lyme or bartonella. He would see colored spots (blue or yellow or orange), often at night and then almost constantly.
They disappeared after the first 8 months of treatment. We took him to a lyme literate neuro-optomologist and his eyes were normal. He told me that spots (visual hallucinations) were coming from the brain.
The combination of Mepron, zith and bactrim got rid of the spots for my son. What is your son taking? What coinfections does he have?
Hope this helps.
tickbattler
Posts: 1763 | From Malvern, PA | Registered: Jul 2009
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posted
When my son was 5 he bagan having visual hallucinations. He described them as fish, dolphins, ufo's. He had EEGs, MRI's, saw a neuro, and eye dr. all were normal.
All knew of his lyme diagnosis, but tried to explain it away by saying it was maybe "anxiey" "a phase" or "silent migraines".
At age 6, visual issues changed to complete visual loss. He described it as "trying to look out a window when it's pouring outside." Vision loss happened sporadically, sometimes every day. Saw a neuro again. He told me he had to "think about it and look some things up" before deciding on what he thought it was. He gave us another appt.
I never went to that appt. Was afraid my son was losing his vision. Found this site who pointed us in the direction of our LLMD.
Dealt with multiple symptoms through out the years, but visual were definitly most scary.
Would go ahead and seek answers for your son's visual issues. As I found out, it can progress...
All visual issues are gone (except occasional eye pain) 2 months after starting treatment. He takes zith & omnicef.
Co-infections are not the cause of sons eye issues, he only tests strongly for lyme.
-------------------- Mom to a 5 year old lymie.... Taking it one day at a time. Posts: 182 | From Ipswich, MA | Registered: Jul 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- First, it may be important to avoid all types of fluorescent lights. I even use regular table lamps in my kitchen - with regular bulbs. "Naked" light bulbs can be very hard, too. And anything that is irritating wears down a lyme patient.
As whether or not to see a specialist, I would say only if Lyme Literate and referred by your son's LLMD. Most neurologists not only know nothing about lyme - their typical demeaning attitude with harsh judgements toward lyme can be very damaging to patients with genuine concerns.
As many lyme patients also have many vestibular symptoms (inner/middle ear), it's important to know the range of things the ears can do to the vision. Be sure to to scroll down for the full list of vestibular symptoms. And remember that, with treatment for lyme, these sorts of symptoms often clear.
Especially in children, they will describe things about their vision, an eye doctor will say nothing is wrong, but the ears are creating the eye problems. When caused by lyme or other TBD (tick-borne disease), treatment for infection, combined with liver support, usually helps.
Along the way, vestibular rehabilitation can be of help. See the home site for VEDA for details.
Tai Chi is also very helpful, more fun and can be done with friends or family. Best to learn from an instructor. Many community centers offer classes.
Lyme patients can be easily irritated by anyone just walking into the same room even though eye contact is never made or words exchanged.
. . .
Dizziness, imbalance and clumsiness can become very frustrating as patients drop objects or knock them over, trip a lot, turn into the wall when rounding corners, and develop sloppy and slower handwriting.
. . .
Neurologic complications in earlier reports were said to occur in 20% of LD cases. In my experience, and as published by Dr. Logigian, 90% of patients have one or more of encephalopathy, cranial neuritis or psychiatric changes.
Early in the course of LD, these problems may be absent or muted, but eventually intrude and can become dominant aspects of LD.
. . .
Neurologic complications in earlier reports were said to occur in 20% of LD cases. In my experience, and as published by Dr. Logigian, 90% of patients have one or more of encephalopathy, cranial neuritis or psychiatric changes.
Early in the course of LD, these problems may be absent or muted, but eventually intrude and can become dominant aspects of LD.
. . .
Eye related problems in LD are commonplace and can include conjunctivitis, ocular myalgias, keratitis, episcleritis, optic neuritis, pars planitis, uveitis, iritis, transient or permanent blindness, temporal arteritis, vitritis and periorbital edema (Jacqueline MS; Ibid).
Horner's syndrome, ocular myasthenia gravis, and an Argyll-Robertson pupil are also reported.
Optic neuritis has been observed to become recurrent or intractable after treatment with steroids. Given the earlier remarks about the detrimental effects of steroids on LD, recidivous optic neuritis may be due to occult LD.
. . . .
- Full article at link above.
==========================
You might do a search here for past posts by EYE BOB:
Vision: Natural Ways to Maintain Eye Health - By Jim English
===================
Liver support during treatment is also vital as porphyria can cause problems with the eyes. Many lyme patients have a sort of secondary porphyria that causes excess porphyrins which can damage cells.
It's very complex but the basic thing to remember is to ALWAYS support the liver and never push it too much. More details here:
SECONDARY PORPHYRIA: what you should know before starting a CAP (combined antibiotic protocol)
=================
KPU (Kryptopyrroluria) is just ONE type of porphryia that seems to have importance regarding patients with lyme, autism and those who have issues with heavy metals:
A New Breakthrough In Helping Chronically Ill Patients - by Randy S. Baker, MD
================
I would normally not post a link that leads to no abstract. However, the significance of this is the use of the term "chronic porphryria" even back in 1966 - something that many doctors discount.
"Chronic porphyria" - as we are seeing now - can go hand in hand with toxic infections when the liver is overwhelmed, etc. Addressing liver support, etc. helps.
IckyTicky
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 21466
posted
I had the flashing lights, color explosions, nystagmus (eyes vibrating" as my first real neuro Lyme symptoms. Didn't start though until after a traumatic tooth extraction.
-------------------- IGM: 18+, 23+, 30+, 31+++, 34+, 39IND, 41++, 58+++, 66+, 83-93IND IGG: 31+, 39IND, 41+ Also positive for Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and RMSF. Whole family of 5 dx with Lyme. Posts: 1014 | From Texas | Registered: Jul 2009
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savebabe
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9847
posted
Has your son seen a neuropathologist? I had many problems with my eyes, including; floaters, pain, dryness and optical neuritis and saw a speciality doc to make sure there wasn't severe damage.
I found that treating bart aggressively helped alleviate the eye pain and other complications with my eyes.
Posts: 1603 | From ny | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
Thanks for all of the responses. My son see's his LLMD on Monday so I will be pursuing this further. He is currently treating with Samento and Cumanda (alternating 2 week cycles). He also takes a lot of supplements as recommended by his doc.
The good news is that this year he pretty much has sufficient energy to go to high school and extracurricular activities. He is so much better than in the past.
--Judy
Posts: 67 | From Maryland | Registered: Jun 2003
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
My son has told me he has less eye floaters now that he takes OmegaBrite.
I personally notice that I have fewer floaters when I have taken selenium.
Just ideas to throw out.
Selenium is an anti-oxidant and OmegaBrite is very high in one of the Omega3s and is an anti-inflammatory.
Posts: 9424 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Just a couple Brazil nuts have the daily supply of selenium. A great way to begin the day - or as a snack. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I get rid of my eye symptoms by drinking mangosteen juice - it's an anti-inflammatory antioxidant juice.
There are lots of brands. I drink the Ultra one with 70 minerals added. If your son would like to try it, go slowly, and drink a lot of water with it also. I have Lyme, no co's.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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