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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Black Dot In Right Eye. Test Negative For Carotid Artery. Reason? How To Prevent From Blindness?

My dad is 83 years old and today he began seeing black dots in his right eye, we took him to the emergency room and so far all of his test are coming back negative (carotid artery, catscan). We are concerned because last year he instantly went blind in his left eye due to plaque coming from the carotid artery--so now he only has vision in his right eye. So I have two questions: (1) What else should they be looking for? and (2) How can we prevent him from going blind in the other eye?
Mon, 16 Sep 2013
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Ophthalmologist 's  Response
Hello,
One of the cause for sudden loss of vision in elderly individuals is arteritic ischemic optic neruropathy affecting the optic nerves.
He needs to undergo evaluation to rule out temporal arteritis or giant cell arteritis, one of the commonest condition seen in association with arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy. If found to have the above problem he needs to be on prophylactic drugs to prevent loss of vision.
Thank you
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Ophthalmologist Dr. Sushama Suram's  Response
Hi..
Thanks for the query..
Sorry for the vision loss in left eye..
Now in right eye if he is seeing black dots which are moving without any change in vision are not be worried about. These are due to some degenerative changes in the gel inside the eye..
But if the vision is less a complete evaluation has to be done both systemically and ocular also..
Because there is history of loss if vision due to a block in the artery ( most probably a central retinal artery occlusion) in the left eye a carotid doppler which shows any narrowing of the artery should be done.. As it is done already done you don't have to worry about that..
His blood sugars, cholesterol also need to be checked..
If every thing comes normal just don't worry..
Take medicines to reduce cholesterol and give him healthy diet less in oils etc.,
A dilated retinal examination and if required a OCT or a FFA help to diagnose any problem..
Get his eyes checked up at regular intervals as your doctor suggests..
Hope this information helps.. Take care..
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Black Dot In Right Eye. Test Negative For Carotid Artery. Reason? How To Prevent From Blindness?

Hello, One of the cause for sudden loss of vision in elderly individuals is arteritic ischemic optic neruropathy affecting the optic nerves. He needs to undergo evaluation to rule out temporal arteritis or giant cell arteritis, one of the commonest condition seen in association with arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy. If found to have the above problem he needs to be on prophylactic drugs to prevent loss of vision. Thank you