daystar1952
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posted
I had an eye appt today with a Lyme literate ophthalmologist. He took pictures of my eye and for the second time he saw a halo of light around the optic nerve.
He says he only sees this halo in those who have Lyme disease. In fact he is doing research in this area. When he sees patients who are NOT diagnosed with Lyme and he sees this halo he sends them for Lyme testing or treatment.This may be a new diagnostic tool.
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Keebler
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posted
- Glad to hear you found a LL ophthalmologist - that is very rare.
In trying to find maybe something he has written or more detail, Google comes up empty with a search for:
"Halo of Light" "Optic Nerve" Lyme
I can't think of better terms for a cross-search
Do you have some detail to share where we might learn more? -
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Keebler
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posted
- Though, there are some credible article links with just asking Google:
Borrelia, eyes -
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daystar1952
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posted
This optometrist, who is world renowned... has not published on this yet altho from what he said he has mentioned it at conferences.
He is in the process of researching it and learning more about the nerves shown in the images with the halo.
A couple years ago he saw the same halo with me and wanted to work with Alan Macdonald to see if the patients with this halo were also positive in the blood for Lyme.
However, I couldn't find anyone to draw my blood to send to AM.Nothing was really organized at that point.
He is taking further images of me in a couple weeks so if I learn any more I will let you folks know.
Keebler
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posted
- Thanks, daystar.
I have to break up your post with some white space to read it. But, I'm curious as to how you can read that when I can't. Maybe you have different things going on with your eyes, though.
For what it's worth, since the inner / middle are are so affected for many with lyme that can also make vision very difficult with various spasms / nystagmus, etc.
Magnesium can sometimes help reduce the eye spasms / nystagmus if the vestibular condition is not too severe. Liver health also can affect vision. As when the toxins are too high, the vestibular system goes kaput and then vision does, too.
(daystar writes)
This optometrist, who is world renowned... has not published on this yet altho from what he said he has mentioned it at conferences.
He is in the process of researching it and learning more about the nerves shown in the images with the halo.
A couple years ago he saw the same halo with me and wanted to work with Alan Macdonald to see if the patients with this halo were also positive in the blood for Lyme.
However, I couldn't find anyone to draw my blood to send to AM.Nothing was really organized at that point. He is taking further images of me in a couple weeks so if I learn any more I will let you folks know.
(end daystar quote) -
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Keebler
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- Thanks, too, for the link to the Padula Institute of Vision Rehabilitation. I recall that he had an ILADS annual conference presentation several years ago. There should be a DVD of his presentation. I'm thinking 4 - 7 years ago, perhaps
Is the eye specialist to which you were referring above - or a different one? -
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posted
I may have the same thing going on. I have had many problems with my eyes since Lyme, including inflamed cornea, uveitis (which doc said was different), irregular cells, some weird stuff with retina, and chronic dryness (knocked way back by LDN).
Many years ago my eye doc noticed a cupping on my optic nerve, and set up an appointment with a bigshot neuro-ophthalmologist up at Yale.
But I never went.
Now you make me wonder.
Posts: 845 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2006
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Keebler
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- Rule #1: be sure that lyme and any other coinfection is being directly and assertively addressed.
If this does not happen the eyes (or the inner/middle ear) won't have a chance of getting better. The infection must be addressed.
#2. Support is essential for liver, adrenals, vascular issues, too.
INFLAMMATION is addressed with such supports as key herbs and MAGNESIUM.
Antioxidants that are particularly good for heart and eyes matter, too. A good LL ND is often the best to consult for these areas.
Beyond that, then come the other support / training efforts.
Still, sometimes what is going on in the eyes or any other body part / function / system might not have to do with lyme / TBD. Still, they have to be considered.
Very often, for those with lyme / TBD and the characteristic vision issues - well, when lyme / TBD are fully addressed with key support, the vision issues usually improve. Same with many symptoms.
As eyes are so very tender and damage can happen so easily, though, it's so good that you hve an eye doctor who understands the ways lyme / TBD can affect eyes - and what can help along the way.
But some kinds of "retraining" can be a waste of time and add stress. For instance, in my case, other than learning some safety tips for walking, vestibular therapy was a failure - mostly as the PT had no clue about lyme and thought my symptoms too bizarre.
Neurofeedback, too, only worked to an extent because I had not then had access to actual treatment for lyme / TBD.
"re-training" cannot replace treating lyme / TBD.
As both vision and balance are also in the brain -- uh, i can't finish this now.
I hope he also knows about the key nutrients like Gotu Kola, the best fruits to have you consume, etc.
Vitamin A is key for eyes, too, and the best natural source I've found has been in Spirulina - with also covers other bases. -
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Keebler
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posted
- There is an Rx medicine eye drop for dry eye that, once started, has to be continued for life. It's also a steroid. That is best avoided. There are many ways to address dry eye that are safer. Adrenal support, key oils.
Not about lyme yet about issues such as inflammation and nutrition that affect those with lyme:
This holistic doctor's site and his book are excellent:
Book & website: THE EYE CARE REVOLUTION - by Robert Abel, Jr. M.D. (Ophthalmologist)
While you don't mention floaters, some of the nystagmus detail & magnesium as eye spasm help is here, I think. My eyes are jumpy now due to vertigo so much stop.
posted
Interesting because I got grave disease 35 years ago and had minor bulging of the eyes, had radio active iodine treatment then and never had a problem until last year when my anxiety started and my eyes got much worse. Saw a grave disease eye doctor who said my graves was acting up and eyes were totally dry, the retina was dry and said to put in moisture eye drops which as done absolutely nothing. I am very light sensitive now as well as dry. llmd said it has nothing to do with lyme or babs yet it all came at once. any thoughts
Posts: 468 | From boston, ma | Registered: Feb 2018
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Keebler
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posted
- lindadanis
breaking up your post to be able to read it. Further posts are best with some white space. Thanks.
lindadanis writes:
Interesting because I got grave disease 35 years ago and had minor bulging of the eyes,
had radio active iodine treatment then and never had a problem until last year when my anxiety started and my eyes got much worse.
Saw a grave disease eye doctor who said my graves was acting up and eyes were totally dry, the retina was dry and said to put in moisture eye drops which as done absolutely nothing.
I am very light sensitive now as well as dry. llmd said it has nothing to do with lyme or babs yet it all came at once. any thoughts
(end post by lindadanis ) -
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Keebler
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posted
- lindadanis,
First, I would check to be sure that doctor is really a LLMD. Does not sound like it.
However - his eye statement - or your interpretation of it - might be out of context. Communication can be so hard. And it may not quite be as I interpret your statement either.
Looking over your posting history, I see you are on mepron for babesia. Therefore, your doctor is more likely than not to be a real LLMD.
Normally, when there's a question as to if one's doctor knows all they should about lyme, here are the things to consider. Hopefully, it will point to "yes" all is good even if some signals get lost in translation so to speak.
Still, there is always so much we have to learn on own own, too.
First, true that not all symptoms are due to lyme. But these eye symptoms that you describe most certainly can frequently be part of the lyme / TBD package.
Light sensitivity is one of the most classic symtpoms of lyme. Dry eye can be, too. As for Graves . . . thyroid matters also often related / or at least affected by lyme.
Every real LLMD knows that lyme / TBD can greatly affect the eyes in various ways for many specific reasons.
Babesia, too, can be critical for eyes for various reasons, especially due to the red blood cells being so targeted and that affecting vascular health.
Are you certain of this doctor you are seeing? Have they come highly recommended by those who really know about lyme / TBD?
Are they ILADS educated and do they keep up with ILADS conference materials? This is key, even if they are not a member of ILADS, they must know all the detail in the writings and presentations of this group. Even if they practice in their own way, they must possess this foundation knowledge.
I'd be exploring all your options with the best true LLMD you can find.
[ 03-14-2018, 03:59 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
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Keebler
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posted
- lindadanis
you write: " . . . to put in moisture eye drops which as done absolutely nothing.
I am very light sensitive now as well as dry. . . ." (end quote).
Has this been just since the drops? Are they an Rx medication or meant as a support? Some Rx can have side effects. Be sure to read about that first on the Rx printed insert / website . . . and also find other user reviews. -
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daystar1952
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posted
Sorry about the post being condensed.
Looks like people only can read well with one sentence at a time.
I thought short paragraphs were ok. The prisms that Padula put in my glasses helps me to focus better.
Also he uses binasal occlusion which you can do yourself with tape on your glasses.
Look on google images for binasal occlusion.
The width of the tape needed for each individual takes some experimentation.
posted
daystar1952 - please write 2-3 sentences at a time. That will help the people who have problems reading large blocks of text due to neurological problems from Lyme. Thanks.
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daystar1952
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Member # 3255
posted
Keebler...that's good to hear that vision issues often improve with Lyme treatment.
I wonder if demylenation of the 6th cranial nerve can improve if it is from Lyme and the Lyme is treated ?
My son was diagnosed with an irregularity of the 6th cranial nerve (from an MRI) and has double vision.His leg was also weak so they were testing for MS and said a glioma could be a possibility.
Not glioblastoma but a glioma.... Anyway I made him get tested for Lyme by an LLMD and he has Lyme so I am hoping that treatment will help his double vision.
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posted
Keebler, I am so sorry that I just saw your post regarding my eyes.
First my doctor is a lyme literate doctor, I used her when my daughter back 15 years ago had lyme and bart and I liked her very much.
However,I am not certain of all your questions regarding her. I believe she attends the meetings, is up to date on conferences, etc., but how would I know this? Should I ask you the next time I see her?
As far as my eyes are concerned, I am seeing a regular eye specialist who specializes in Graves Disease. The first thing I noticed when I got sick last year was my eyes and I mentioned this to my lyme doctor and she said make sure I follow up with eye doctor, not related to any of my eye issues which I thought was weird because I did, in fact, explain to her, that it was one of the first symptoms I noticed.
I am not on any medications for the dry eye except over the counter moisture drops. He did not give me anything to take. I do see him in a few weeks.
My brain fog/memory issues are terrible Keebler, I have to write everything down all the time because I forget a lot of stuff, so please I apologize if I repeat myself.
I am very light sensitive but my eye doctor said it is because the retina is so dried out.
Posts: 468 | From boston, ma | Registered: Feb 2018
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posted
All of my eye symptoms and thyroid problems went away with Babesia treatment for babesia or babesia like organism. After the babesia treatment, I did rotating of anti-parasitics. Also biofilm buster like heparin. Get a top notch LLMD.
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posted
Same experience here. Major eye problems for years and it finally went away with babesia treatment.
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