'Visual disturbances' is it a Mini Storke?

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nicksb

Hi All,

Its been now 8.5 months I replaced my Mitral valve with a mechnical one. I was going through a thread on a Mini stroke and some one mentioned ''visual disturbances''. So, this set me out with a question.

In the last 8.5 months, I have had 3-4 times some kind of blindness. Its always in one of the eye and there is a small patch kind of the thing which pops up and I cant see through this patch. Its not totally dark but kind of light green. It almost covers about 30-35% of the vision. There is no other affects or changes I sense. Once this happened when I was driving and my judgement and all other senses were normal. This lasts for one or max 2 mnts and then disappears.

I was not worried about this untill today, when I read about 'visual disturbances' and mini strokes. Is it a mini stroke? Please help with information.
Thank you.
 
If you are worried, make an appointment with your PCP. Another route can be to see an Opthomalogist. They will do a screening exam to ensure there's nothing wrong. If there is something going on, they can usually advise the best course. Be prepared to pay for the visit and any tests they do, though, unless your insurance covers vision care.
 
visual disturbances

visual disturbances

I agree with Pamela, but for what it's worth...

I had a TIA or mini stroke due to endocarditis about 6 months before I had my mitral valve replaced. It was right after the stroke I started having ocular migraines. These block my vision as well. My PCP and an optometrist diagnosed it and told me they weren't sure what was causing it and there wasn't much to do about it.
 
Although it may be a TIA or other Eye related disroder, its also quite possible its a result of the surgery. Its somewhat common for people to have occassinal vision distrubances after OHS. Again, though you may to be see by opthmalogist just to be sure. Its typically an issue with brain rather than eyes which may be from pump.
 
I would make a phone call to the PCP's office. When I remarked about my visual disturbances, my surgeon's remark was that if it occurs in the exact same place and same eye....it's more likely to be a TIA than a migraine. That said....I've had this one spot occur over and over and over for decades (pre and post surgery) and I'm sure it's a migraine. That particular one (the black rectangular patch upper right quadrant of left eye) seems to come up with a spike in my blood pressure....like after a too salty meal.

Best to consult with someone over the phone on this. Let the nurse decide (by consulting the doctor) who and whether you need to be seen....save yourself a trip by trying the phone first.

Keep us posted.

Marguerite
 
"One Eye" and "a kind of blindness" certainly have the 'ring' of a mini-stroke or TIA. At the very minimum, your PCP (and maybe an Opthalmologist) should be consulted.

Whenever I get a "visual disturbance" I chew an aspirin (160 or 325 mg depending on how long it has been since I took my daily 81 mg dose). Check with your PCP and / or Cardiologist if you choose to follow this example.

Ocular Migraines are also common amongst our members.

'AL Capshaw'
 
Nick-
I had the exact same thing happen several times, but all within my first year after surgery or so. Once I even had it cover my entire left eye. I mentioned it to my Cardio later, and he didn't seem concerned.
 
As others have said it would not hurt to get it checked out?..I did not see this mentioned but it might be something that people refer to as ?floaters??.I also have a friend that has had these symptoms due to a detached retina problem?.I wish you well?.it sounds bothersome to say the least.
 
I had a detached retina and had symptoms similar to these. The first few weeks I especially noticed it come on after going out in bright light. It was winter and looking at white snow would make it happen. If I were you, I'd definitely get it checked out!

shellyb
 
cooker said:
As others have said it would not hurt to get it checked out…..I did not see this mentioned but it might be something that people refer to as “floaters”….I also have a friend that has had these symptoms due to a detached retina problem….I wish you well….it sounds bothersome to say the least.
Click to expand...

Oh, I completely forgot. I found this really good description of floaters through some odd link.....


"Floaters

Older people often notice occasional spots, amoeba-like, or opaque flecks drifting across their line of vision, particularly when they are looking at a page of a book, a computer screen, or a solid, light background. These floaters are tiny clusters of cells or gel in the vitreous cavity, where the clear jelly-like substance called vitreous humor fills your eyeball. What you actually see is the shadow these little clumps cast on the retina. In some cases, the vitreous gel may detach from the retina, causing more floaters, an event called posterior vitreous detachment.
About 25% of people have these vitreous detachments and floaters by their 60s, and 65% by their 80s. Floaters also appear more often in people who are nearsighted or have had cataract surgery. These phenomena are usually nothing more than an annoyance and often dissipate on their own. If they occur suddenly, however, consult an ophthalmologist. Certain eye diseases or injuries can cause them. Floaters can also be small drops of blood from a torn retinal vessel. Less commonly, new floaters are the sign of a retinal tear, which should be evaluated (see "Retinal detachment").
Once floaters have been checked and declared harmless, one of three things may happen. The floater may disappear as the body reabsorbs it; the floater may become less noticeable with time; or it may stay and become bothersome. Floaters can be removed, but the surgical risk is greater than the floater itself. If floaters become a nuisance to central vision, moving the eye around in its socket may shift the floaters and provide temporary relief."


My floaters are constant and just seem to be getting more prevalent. They are not what was described above. That was a true blackout patch. Floaters are more like a veil. My opthalmologist says it is posterior vitreous detachemnt and totally benign. Again. Not like what was discussed above.


Marguerite
 
Do you or have you in the past suffered from migraines? I had OHS in Jan of this year, but I have had visual disturbances from spots of blindness in one eye to total loss of vision while driving. I have had these "disturbances" after my surgery as well as before. Actually it was after the blacking out spell that they found my heart problems in 2005, they also did an MRI of my brain and I also have 2 cyst in my brain, one arachnoid in middle cranial fossa, and a thornwaldt cyst. I have always suffered with migraines, and can only think my are contected with the cysts in my brain that are not suspose to be there. I would tell you to get it checked out; like everyone else here. It could be leading up to something more serious. I know this wasn't much help. I just wanted you to know I know what you have described and it's not a good feeling. I hope you find out what's going on.

Good Luck,
Lisa
 
Visual Disturbance

Visual Disturbance

I used to have miagraines all my life until the last few tears when I began to supplement with magnesium. What you describe is very much like one of the visual disturbances I used to have when in the midst of a miagraine. Perhaps it's a miagraine but take care there are other conditions that share the same symptons.

Regards Butterfly
 
I think all of us who have and/or had these strange optical symptoms would do well to have ourselves checked out by an Opthamologist. I have recently been ordered to have a series of interesting and complex visual tests where they will check my eyes for damage including loss of vision in any areas. I had an episode of acute glaucoma 6 years ago and they like to keep a close watch on my vision incase it returns..Its quite a specialised test and not available at a regular Optometrists (the glasses dispensing people).

I wonder if this is an area where we (heart patients) are guilty of being too quick to put symptoms down to being heart-related whereas regular non-heart-patients would consult an eye specialist first?.
 
aussigal said:
I think all of us who have and/or had these strange optical symptoms would do well to have ourselves checked out by an Opthamologist. I have recently been ordered to have a series of interesting and complex visual tests where they will check my eyes for damage including loss of vision in any areas. I had an episode of acute glaucoma 6 years ago and they like to keep a close watch on my vision incase it returns..Its quite a specialised test and not available at a regular Optometrists (the glasses dispensing people).

I wonder if this is an area where we (heart patients) are guilty of being too quick to put symptoms down to being heart-related whereas regular non-heart-patients would consult an eye specialist first?.
Click to expand...
The other thing we tend to relegate to the sidelines is the relationship of connective tissue disease to the eyes. Marfans lists glaucoma, detatched retina and actual occular tendon displacement as signs of the disease. The other connective tissue disorders talk about myopia, astigmatism and cataracts. Vision care is just another concern to add to the long list of something we need to watch throughout our lives. ;)
 
nicksb said:
Hi All,

Its been now 8.5 months I replaced my Mitral valve with a mechnical one. I was going through a thread on a Mini stroke and some one mentioned ''visual disturbances''. So, this set me out with a question.

In the last 8.5 months, I have had 3-4 times some kind of blindness. Its always in one of the eye and there is a small patch kind of the thing which pops up and I cant see through this patch. Its not totally dark but kind of light green. It almost covers about 30-35% of the vision. There is no other affects or changes I sense. Once this happened when I was driving and my judgement and all other senses were normal. This lasts for one or max 2 mnts and then disappears.

I was not worried about this untill today, when I read about 'visual disturbances' and mini strokes. Is it a mini stroke? Please help with information.
Thank you.
Click to expand...

This could be due to Hollenhorst plaque. These are little particles of plaque that originate in carotid arteries, break off, and go to brain and eyes. They usually occur in one eye only. They usually cause no serious problems. You need to see an ophthamologist and get a carotid ultrasound.
 
I get a flying-saucer shaped blob in my right eye most often when I'm having a visual migraine (aka "atypical" migraine). It's sort of red and green and a little shimmery or sparkly - very much like that red-green blobby thing you get for a minute when you accidentally get an eyeful of the sun and look away. It's shaped kind of like a 1950's era flying saucer, with the hub in the middle, not like the sleek saucer models that people see today.

Some people see "sheets" of blind spot that cover part or most of one eye's vision. Some people have activity in both eyes, but it's rarely the same shapes/weirdness in both.

Atypicals often happen without the usual migraine pain, a stange but useful blessing. I noted in one period of recent deep stress, I did get a "the real thing," intensely painful migraine for a couple of hours, two days in a row after lunch. It's the only time that ever happened. It's gone now, and don't expect it to happen again anytime soon.

I never experienced anything like that until shortly before my valve surgery. I was 50 when I first saw it. It happens now mostly during stessful periods, maybe two or three times a year. I'm oddly comforted by the fact that it looks the same each time.

A few years ago, I had to shop in a CVS for about a half hour one day, when I had only intended a fly-by, because there's no way I can drive when that UVO (Unidentified Visual Object) is taking up that much of the vision in that eye. Too distracting.

Try an ophthalmologist before going to a neurologist. It can be a whole lot cheaper, and you usually get an answer in one visit.

Best wishes,
 
Earlier this month (2/6), I spent the evening of my birthday in the ER, and it did become an overnight stay due to an episode of right eye partial blindness. Unlike my first issue (6/07) whereas I went totally blind in the right eye, this time it was as if I were looking over a wall....I lost the bottom half of my field of vision. A few weeks previous to this last episode, I was weaned off my beta-blocker and taken off Plavix. Within days of being off the meds, I began to experience vision issues as floaters and focusing. I called my cardio to ask if being off these drugs might be contributing to the eye issue, namely the Plavix. He said that he doubted very much that this was the case, but should I have a repeat episode, get to doctor. GETTING TO THE POINT!!......I'm back on Plavix, and my vision (KNOCK ON WOOD) is perfect again.....no floaters, no focusing issues, NO NUTTIN'!
One interesting thing did happened during my hospital stay. I was administered a TEE. The reason for this test was to better see if everything done surgically was in tiptop shape...no irregular scarring and/or surfaces. The Dr. also wanted to check for a hole between the chambers of my heart. He stated that over 20% of everyone has this condition. It's called PFO (patent foramen ovalae). Those with PFO have a higher incident of blindness because small particles are often sent through this hole causing TIA's etc. I didn't have PFO, the new Bovine Valve and Aortic Graph looked perfect..I probably be on Plavix the rest of my life (no big deal), and so far, the vision is great......KNOCK ON WOOD???!!!!
 
Sounds like a migraine onset to me. I get em about once a month but since I've had surgery I've gotten them much more often. They start with a visual disturbance similar to what you describe. Almost like someone lit off a camera flash in you face. About 30 minutes after the disturbance starts, it goes away and the pain starts, usually behind the opposite eye that you had your disturbance in. That's how it is for me anyway. Luckily, now that I'm on beta blockers (Toporol), the severity of the pain is minimal. Otherwise I get screwed up pretty bad.

Good Luck!
-Brian
 
migraine related

migraine related

I get the same thing. It's related to migaines which is common for me. I have a BAV. I've had migraines starting at 30yrs old, and am now 56.

After my heart surgery, the migraine auras have changed, but the scariest for me is what you describe. They come and go now, and I'm getting used to it. It doesn't freak me out anymore.:eek:

Lilly
 
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