Dr.,
I am a healthy 27 yr old male with no nagging aches and pains except my
sinuses...for about the last 5 years I have gotten some form of sinus
discomfort at least 3-4 times a year.This has not been a concern to me
until now.With my recent sinus flair-up,I felt extreme discomfort behind my
left eye and noticed a tiny dark spot in my field of vision of that eye.
I immediately went to my opthalmologist and had things checked out...she
said my eyes were healthy and other than myopia she could she nothing wrong
with them.I then discussed this problem with my MD over the phone(as
I had just seen him for a checkup before the sinus flair-up),he recommended
I give it some time and start on beconase ,as long as it didn't worse he
thought it would go away.I guess I'm writing you for a second opinion...I
feel that my MD should have referred me to a ENT Doc.
It has been a week and the pain is gone, but I still see the dark spot.
Do you know of any cases of sinusitus that have caused vision annomolies
like I'm discribing and if so,should I be immediately concerned about this
and demand a referral or do as the MD said and let it go away?
I appreciate any feedback you could give.
Thank You.
Reply: ----------------------
Certainly some types of sinus conditions can cause eye problems in general including disturbances in vision. Disturbances in vision however need to be addressed specifically by an ophthalmologist (medical doctor specializing in eye disorders). If you continue to experience visual disturbance it is important to consult again with the ophthalmologist - visual field analysis may be necessary. If visual field abnormalities are identified, the opthalmologist should direct further evaluation as to the cause, but certainly sinus disease, particularly sphenoid sinus disease should be considered as a possible cause which might necessitate a CT scan of the sinuses. It is important to consider that your symptoms that you have described are not suggestive of a chronic sinus condition and furthermore since you no longer are experiencing significant sinus symptoms, it is important to address the visual disturbance directly. I would schedule another visit with the ophthalmologist.
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Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
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