Newly diagnosed

I went to the doctor for blurred vision and was referred to a cataract doc. I have diabetes 2 and have to keep on top of the eyes. I had first cataract surgery April 2015. My vision did not improve and I had a line across my left eye and it was still blurry. I saw the doctor repeatedly, but he didn't see anything. Finally saw the surgeon after looking up what was wrong on the internet. He saw it right away. I had to wait a few weeks to have a YAG surgery to correct the Posterior capsule opacification. Next had the second surgery on the right eye. Despite the YAG surgery on the first eye, I still had blurry vision. Then I had YAG surgery on the second eye. So in addition to surgeries on the eyes, i had pronounced disorientation and then sensitivity to bright lights. When I go out to the store, I find it extremely difficult to see where I'm going and to see where things are. I have reading glasses for close up vision, but now that my far away vision is a mess, I can't find things. It is very depressing.

The last time I went to see the eye doc, we all decided that I could get Lasix. This doesn't impact the other issues. Plus by this time, I'm dizzy, headachy, have balance issues, keep falling and tripping over things. (Fell over the short hedge the other day when I was gardening. SO I went to see my family doctor and complained heavily and told them I can't see well enough to drive, with the result that I now am not supposed to drive!!!! I told my doctor (actually a resident as my regular doc is never there) that I needed an MRI because there is something WRONG with my brain!!!! Sooooooo, after waiting a few weeks for the approval, I went to get the MRI. My doctor contacted me the next day to let me know I have Chiari Malformation.

I am really unhappy not only with this diagnosis, but with the stupid, inept, ophthalmologist who doesn't take the time to look at all of a patient's symptoms and look at what else could be wrong.

Hi, Lindy! Sadly, but this is the world we live in- some doctors for different reasons don't pay enough attention to their patients. If you don't feel confident in your doctors, go for 2nd opinions or just change those doctors.

I think, if you had those problems for which you had surgeries in addition to Chiari, then getting to Chiari diagnosis could be really hard. Chiari is rare and doctors aren't fimiliar with it. Most chiarians get diagnosed only after years of suffering. I'm just glad you figured out that they had to look at your brain. Now you can move on and see a neurologist, maybe a neurosurgeon and see what can be done for you.

Best wishes,

Kristine