My daughter is eight years old and she has spots in both eyes that are there all the time. She also has blurry vision on some days. She experiences headaches which can last from a few minutes or long enough that she requests aspirin. She has seen an opthomologist, has had a cat scan and an MRI and they have discovered nothing unusual. Her general practitioner feels that she may grow out of this or it might be migraine headaches (which does not explain the blurry vision or spots when she does not have a headache). It really bothers her that she has these spots all the time. We asked the doctor if a test for Lyme should be done but he says she would have headaches all the time and they would not subside if it were lyme. We also asked if she should have blood work done. They do not feel we should put her through these tests at her young age and they feel they are not warranted. Also, I inquired about a possible detached retina but they said her vision would be impaired on the sides and not from a frontal view if it were a detached retina. She has been getting the headaches and has seen spots for about a year now and the spots seem to have increased in size and the blurry vision is becoming more frequent. Any advise would be appreciated. Thank you.
Answered by Richard E. Gans, M. D. (reg@ofcn.org)
This is obviously a problem specific to your daughter. In a forum such as this, without the benefit of an examination, detailed information would be impossible.
Nevertheless, a few facts may be of assistance to you. First, the visual symptoms from migraine are not always associated with headache. In fact, visual symptoms without headache are commonplace in migraine. Second, visual spots can sometimes result from structural opacities within the eye. Most commonly, these are insignificant vitreous "floaters", but can also be signs of other intraocular problems. These opacities can be visualized by the ophthalmologist during an eye examination. Finally, age 8 is a common age for rapid changes in the focusing mechanisms within the eye. Nearsightedness often starts to develop around this age. She should be checked as to her potential need for glasses. Occasionally, uncorrected refractive errors can cause headaches.
If her symptoms are progressing and worsening (or simply not resolving), she should be thoroughly evaluated by an ophthalmologist as well as a pediatrician to rule out any significant illness.
--
Copyright, 1996. Richard E. Gans, M. D. All rights reserved.
Richard E. Gans, M. D.
Diplomate, American Board of Ophthalmology
Medical Director, The Health and Wellness Center
OFCN Primary Sysop, The Eye Clinic
Email: reg@ofcn.org
WWW: http://www.ofcn.org:80/about.ofcn/whois/reg/
Mail: 26900 Cedar Road Suite #108
Beachwood, OH USA 44122-1148
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.
--
Click here to review previous
Eye Clinic consultations