Question:

Three years ago I developed large blind spots on either side of my center of vision and in both eyes.I have been to eye doc`s,retina doc`s opti-neuro doc`s and a migraine doc.They developed after a 2 week flu that included terrible pain in my forehead and dizziness that made me fall down.All test results (except my field) come back normal.One doc has labeled my condition Big Blind Spot Syndrome? I think he made it up and he doesnt know what it really is? Have you ever heard of this or have any ideas.CAT & MRI are normal as well.I need to know if it will get worse.

Answer:

Your question is very timely for me, since I recently published a paper on this topic in the journal Optometry and Vision Science (Volume 77, Number 4, April, 2000, pages 178-187).

The Big Blindspot Syndrome, also known as Acute, Idiopathic Blind Spot Enlargement Syndrome, is a rare and poorly-understood eye disease which is probably caused by a viral infection. This infection causes swelling in the back of the eye (retina, choroid, and/or optic nerve) which results in enlargement of the patient`s normal blindspot. The course of this disease is unpredictable; but most patients experience a gradual return to normal after several months. (NOTE: The patient I reported on regained his normal visual fields after 15 months). There is no known treatment, although some doctors have experimented with oral corticosteroids.

For more information about this mysterious eye disease, go to your local library and request a copy of my paper, which contains sixteen references on this interesting topic.

For more information:

Go to the Eye and Vision Care health topic.