Hi again
My mum been diagnosed with cortical blindness and we have been told its irreversible. This is a consequence of the aneurysm and also her short term memory has been severely damaged. I honestly don't know what to do other than offer comfort and tell mum all will be well....which i cant guarantee. It pains me knowing mum wont be able to see again. Can anyone offer any words of wisdom to help ease my mums lose of sight . Thank you kindly x
I’m so sorry your mom is going through this. I had two aneurysms and lost my sight in my left eye after my craniotomy for almost two years and it was a nightmare. I slowly got it back but during that time I was mortified that I couldn’t see. I’m sorry hers is irreversible. I suggest to talk with her doctor about support and resources to help your mom. I pray for her comfort. Take care.
I had a double brain aneurysm and lived. Blood from the vitrious of my eyes block my retinas, thus one morning I woke up blind. I was blind for a couple of months before we found a doctor who could perform laser surgery to remove the blood. I can see perfectly again. There is hope. Beaumont
When did you have two aneurysms? Did you have them at the same time? How were they treated? Beaumont
London and Hunter's Momie said:
I'm so sorry your mom is going through this. I had two aneurysms and lost my sight in my left eye after my craniotomy for almost two years and it was a nightmare. I slowly got it back but during that time I was mortified that I couldn't see. I'm sorry hers is irreversible. I suggest to talk with her doctor about support and resources to help your mom. I pray for her comfort. Take care.
Wher did you find a doctor that does laser surgery to remove blood in vitreous. My son has that condition and does not seem to be resolving after 3 months!
This is the surgeon that invented the technique. Homayoun Tabendah, MD, located in Los Angeles, California. 818-754-2090.
Karen PEDERSON said:
Wher did you find a doctor that does laser surgery to remove blood in vitreous. My son has that condition and does not seem to be resolving after 3 months!
I woke up blnd one day after my ruptured aneurysm which happened when I was living in Spain. I wasn't totally blind, but I could just make out very big shapes or very bright colours. I told the hospital staff, a doctor examined my eyes and said blood had been forced into the backs of them by the rupturing of the basal artery, which was like a garden hose going off in my brain. They assured me that this could be cleaned out via operations under local anaesthetic. Unfortunately they then seemed to forget to refer me for this procedure. Eventually, after waiting many months and hearing nothing, I visited the hospital with a Spanish friend who is very posh and sounds like the Queen. She shouted at them about how long I had been waiting, upon which they all jumped about, and I was admitted within a few days to have the first eye done, and about ten days later the second eye. There was an immediate improvement, but the blood had by then been sitting in my eyes for so long that it had damaged the lenses and cataracts were forming. These got worse and worse, and eventually I was sent for two further operations, to replace the lens in each eye with a plastic prescription one - like having contact lenses on the inside of my eyes. After this, my distance sight has been good, but I need glasses for reading. Altogether I was blind for about two years. This probably isn't relevant to the lady in question, though, as the cause was different.
My daughter has vision loss that is different than cortical blindness. She has left sided homonymous hemianopsia (she doesn't see out of the left half of both eyes) after a rupture in 2009. A big issue is that she isn't very aware of the blindness and so I need to assist her in reminding her of her visual difficulties. Things like "do you see...." and walking on her left side to avoid her colliding with things. Hers is also permanent. Her vision specialist says it is important to let her figure out what she can realistically do and then work from there. That takes a lot of support on our part to ensure safety while they figure it out.
My husband has the same thing. We were referred to a special Optometrist who made him glasses that pick up what he is missing and send the image to the right hand side. He no longer walks into walls.
Shawna Rice said:
My daughter has vision loss that is different than cortical blindness. She has left sided homonymous hemianopsia (she doesn't see out of the left half of both eyes) after a rupture in 2009. A big issue is that she isn't very aware of the blindness and so I need to assist her in reminding her of her visual difficulties. Things like "do you see...." and walking on her left side to avoid her colliding with things. Hers is also permanent. Her vision specialist says it is important to let her figure out what she can realistically do and then work from there. That takes a lot of support on our part to ensure safety while they figure it out.
Melanie,
This is very sad news indeed.
One thing I have learned is that the doctors involved in brain aneurysms err on the negative side and do it a lot! Not just in my husband's case either. So maybe things will get better. Always get a second opinion, search out experts, and see if you can get support for your mom from an agency for the blind. It must be a terrible shock and having someone who understands it first hand can really help. Also I'm sure a lot of ways to cope have been worked out over the years. I would feel so much more secure having support from them immediately.
Melanie,
I did a quick search at our NIH. Seems there can be help for your mum with brain injury occupational therapists and what was referred to as sensory disability officers. Ask the doctors about these services.
I lost sight in one eye,too. Doc says it’s permanent. A terrible thing.
In 2012 I had a rupture. I lost my left eye. It took me using large print word find books n straing that eye some but 2 yrs later I see just a blur out of it. Keep trying n praying.
Melanie...I have spent some recent time researching visual issues...
I personally was blessed with vision therapy...tho, based on the status of any patient...it may not regain all of our usual vision...nor does it after/later protect the involved cranial nerves...
What all did the doctor(s) explain; e.g. which cranial nerves (left and/or right) were / are affected?
You may want to ask specifics about it; the anatomy of it; the name of it...
The cranial nerves involved in vision: cranial nerve II (CN 2): optic re: retina
CN 3: oculomotor
CN 4: trochlear
CN 6: abducens
There three work separately and together for movement / control of our eyes...
You may want to search on-line: cranial nerve anatomy on to: cranial nerve functions ...
There are wonderful sites...and, some so much easier to read...so you may want o browse...and /or you may have different info from your mum's doctors...
Cortical visual impairment... same as cortical blindness (one word newer than the other?)
Other terminology you may want to research:
Homonymous Hemianopia (aka hemianopsia) ...
Bi-lateral Hemianopia
Bi-nasal hemianopia
Bi-temporal hemianopia (one of high interest to me)
Midline Shift ...re: cranial nerves ...
Then, may want to pursue: Cortical Blindness after contrast-enhanced CT
http://www/ajnr.org/content/24/6/1114.full
It notes that transient cortical blindness is an uncommon but well-known complication following cerebral-angiography...As this was written in 2003...there is not a vast list of data on procedural improvements to reduce complications / adverse events...re: visual or auditory ...
You may have the diagnostic data from your mum's doctors that would be easier for you to peruse online...perhaps you can call/ask...IF the term cortical blindness was not explained clearly...
Melanie...I am so yet in the research...re: the cerebral arteries and their connection/interconnection to the cranial nerves...I have no expertise ... just data that is so important to me... (hopefully...to others for their own research and questions to their doctors)...
Many of us will so cherish your sharing whichever results you achieve from your mum's doctors with us...
Pat
X,
I can’t say much Mam other than I am a Believer in the Bible, in God and in Prayer’s ! I will continue saying Prayer’s for you and your Mum to help both of you to get through this ruff period. Take it day by day is the best that you can do. I was told that from my Wife when I went through my ruff period after having a Brain Aneurysm. Ajustments was made eventually on both sides and we survived. Praise the Lord !
Take care,
Pat
I lost sight in one eye,too. Doc says it's permanent. A terrible thing.
I totally can understand how you feel Lily in losing your vision in one eye. I too, lost my field vision in left eye and lost all vision in right eye. The crainomity clipping surgery in 2011 for an unruptured aneurysm injured the right optic nerve and crossed over to the left eye and took the field vision. I have 10-15% vision in left eye. Yes it’s permanent and yes it’s terrible. Lots of adjustments to make in everyday living.
Hello,
I have worked in the field of blindness for almost 40 years. I spent most of that time teaching orientation and mobility skills to children through the school district. The last 6 years I have been a rehabilitation teacher of the blind in a vocational rehabilitation agency. Several students of mine had cortical blindness. I would love to help you with resources for your Mother to help her cope, learn new skills and find others for support. If you would like, please contact me with your location and I can give you some resources. There are many methods for performing daily tasks, reading, playing games, etc. I don't know how old your mother is, but that information would help me to give you appropriate resources. I know this must be devastating for you mother, but she can learn to do most of the things she did before. Finding a good grief counselor is very helpful. You might want to consider that, as well. Hope to hear from you. For a start, look at afb.org. Take care. Liz
Hi Liz
I would love you to help with resources and you sound a fantastic link for support . I live in the North East of England in a little town called Hartlepool My mum is 65. Anything at all would be a help. Thank you for your advice and kind words
Mel x
LG said:
Hello,
I have worked in the field of blindness for almost 40 years. I spent most of that time teaching orientation and mobility skills to children through the school district. The last 6 years I have been a rehabilitation teacher of the blind in a vocational rehabilitation agency. Several students of mine had cortical blindness. I would love to help you with resources for your Mother to help her cope, learn new skills and find others for support. If you would like, please contact me with your location and I can give you some resources. There are many methods for performing daily tasks, reading, playing games, etc. I don't know how old your mother is, but that information would help me to give you appropriate resources. I know this must be devastating for you mother, but she can learn to do most of the things she did before. Finding a good grief counselor is very helpful. You might want to consider that, as well. Hope to hear from you. For a start, look at afb.org. Take care. Liz
Thank you Pat. I do also believe in the Lord . And he has brought us this far and we still have so much faith in him x Thank you for your kind words
Pat M. said:
X,
I can’t say much Mam other than I am a Believer in the Bible, in God and in Prayer’s ! I will continue saying Prayer’s for you and your Mum to help both of you to get through this ruff period. Take it day by day is the best that you can do. I was told that from my Wife when I went through my ruff period after having a Brain Aneurysm. Ajustments was made eventually on both sides and we survived. Praise the Lord !
Take care,
Pat