Turns out I’ve had some kind of stroke in my eye! What to do..

Went for a regular eye test and was informed that I had a missing bit of my field of vision in my right eye. Was refered to an ophthalmologist who conducted some additional tests and diagnosed that my optical nerve was damaged, probably by a vascular event at some point in the past. He couldn’t tell when. This is not something that has affected the brain apparently

For context I lived a very unhealthy life for about 30 years, smoking, bad diet and for 2 years was pretty much a coke head. For the last 5 years however I’ve been looking after myself, exercise, better diet. I recently quit vaping, but other than that nothing particularly unhealthy. My cholesterol and blood pressure is excellent.

Over the past 5 years I’ve also had a ton of tests done. Last year I went to hospital for a suspected tia, but all the tests pointed to an issue with my spine, ie not a stroke. At the time my arteries were within the normal range of someone my age (48), and i’d think unlikely they’d have changed significantly in that time

As someone who already struggles massively with health anxiety I’m at a bit of a loss as to what to make of it. The consultant thought it very likely this was caused years ago as cocaine can very easily damage the small veins feeding the optic nerve. If that’s the case all good, it doesn’t affect my vision at all and I’ve been a very lucky boy.

But I can’t help but worry it was more recent than that, ie could happen again. My old optician report from 2021 doesn’t have vision field results, but the image of the nerve is apparently very similar to the most recent one, ie it’s likely (but not definite) it happened before then. I’m currently on a low does statin, and the consultant reckoned it may be prudent to take a low does of blood thinner or asprin. Other than that he didn’t seem particularly concerned.

not sure if there is anything else I can do to reassure myself, but didn’t know if anyone clued up on this kind of thing could advise?

Ta

The changes in lifestyle mean the odds are very strongly that this is a once and only event.  No point in having any more tests.  I assume you take statins?  I would I think in your shoes.

Its a bummer. it is what it is and unlikely to have any further ramifications given lifestyle changes

Sounds like you dodged a bullet, probably some time ago but have made lifestyle changes which make a recurrence unlikely.  It sounds like you are otherwise fit and healthy? Lots of people aren’t.  Celebrate the fact you are, try to forget about it and crack on with life.

I was told I’d had a “previous infarction” after a head MRI about 2 years ago. Looking back I think I can actually remember the occasion it happened, at the time I thought my problem walking was just a combination of fatigue and back problems after a very long and tiring day. I was pretty ok the next morning and symptoms just disappeared slowly over the next couple of weeks. There’s nothing I can do about it, it has no effect on my life and it doesn’t worry me in the slightest. The consultant I was seeing didn’t think this isolated past event was indicative of future problems, it was just something they’re picked up that was unrelated to the actual purpose of the scan.

This little anecdote is probably of little use to someone who suffers from genuine health anxiety and I don’t want you to think I’m dismissive of it but if your consultant isn’t unduly bothered neither should you be. Blood thinners as a prophylactic seems a proportionate response so consider that?

We’re all getting older and bit’s breaking – you sort of have to accept that. At least you’ll be going into older age fairly fit but you do get other health issues. Not much you can do about it. At least you know.  On statins here as I’m marginally over ideal, but that’s genetic (both parents) – my only issue is remembering to take them. I now take a packet in my panniers to work, otherwise I’d forget.

BIL, fairly slim, tall, but has a knackered heart at 60. Talks of fitting a defib to him soon. Not even retired yet. I’ve seen lots of people not make it, lost two mates in last few years through heart issues – both fit – one a marathon runner who ended up with a pacemaker, then another blocked artery (regular cyclist). Second heart attack a week after getting repairs after a first heart attack whilst on the bike.

I haven’t had anything like this but i’ve had the optician point out a burst blood vessel in my eye which came after a period of intense stress in my life. The optician said i really should get my blood pressure checked which i did, and it was just about in the alright zone. I’m only 31 so i don’t think they were particularly worried but it does worry me that something like the above could happen.

I was diagnosed with a dvt last feb.

later in 2023, my optician said that the big splash of blood across my eye was a sign that the blood thinners were doing their job (A good thing).

what did I take away from this?

whatever’s triggered the blood clot (air pollution?) is still prevalent.

just ask your gp to prescribe blood thinners. Aspirin is only fractionally as strong and it will mess up your stomach if taken regularly.

it might be worth investing £35 in Ikea’s air quality monitor.

Are you sure you had the correct ice cream test

Long story short-ish

Not quite the same but:

Massive motorcycle accident including knocked out / concussed. 3 months unable to walk, eating poorly (on my own at the time).

Once I was mobile again started having what the doctors called occular migraines with episodes of dizzyness / memory blanks and confusion.

These started with a couple of mild episodes a day but built up to 10 – 15 daily with a couple being so serious I was taken to A&E in an ambulance. Unfortunately by the time arrived they had always passed as very rarely lasted more than about 15 minutes.

Doctors were convinced it was an eye problem and sent me to an ophthalmologist for tests.

Turns out I had lost 50% of my vision on the RHS of both eyes and hadn’t even realised.

The specialist told me that this was usually down to having suffered a stroke and was sent immediately for a brain scan which thankfully showed up no lasting damage.

I was told to surrender my driving licence as fell well outside the acceptable vision limits.

Blood tests were also taken which showed I was pre-diabetic and had high cholesterol.

The conclusion was that poor diet choices combined with the period of immobility and head injury had conspired to cause me to suffer multiple mini strokes causing the vision ( and other associated) issues.

I was told that without some lifestyle changes and good luck I would be unlikely to recover my vision.

This was somewhat surprising to an active 49 year old who did not drink, ate 95 % homemade meals with healthy ingredients, cycled at least 50 miles a week in the Cairngorms and ran 15-20k a week.My only vice was smoking 5-10 cigarettes per day, a habit that I had had for 35 years.

Took the advice, stopped the smoking and cut down on sugar and coffee intake, upped the exercise a bit.

My last vision test 2 months ago (18 months after diagnosis) showed that I had recovered all the field of vision in my left eye and back to 95% in my right eye which has pleased my specialist no end.

It shows you that it can be regained but you will probably have to make some adjustments for it to do so.