I was wondering if anyone knew anything about small aneurysms on the ophthalmic artery? Is that a particularly dangerous spot to have one? Mine is (was) 2mm in July 2013 and was not recommended for treatment at that time. My surgeon said that the size and location puts my at approximate 0.02% risk per year. That's obviously low but I've been reading about people having rapid growth for ophthalmic artery aneurysms in a short period. I'm very nervous and just can't find information about this location. Is it general knowledge that there's just no way to predict what any aneurysm will do? Surgery sounds so risky for this location and I just feel like I have no options. I've been trying to pretend it doesn't exist. I cling to anything that says rupture risk is low but I'm constantly finding discouraging info. Thank you kindly!
Yes I’ve had two of them behind my left eye. Was blind in left eye after my craniotomy for a year and a half. Not going to lie it’s very scary but hopefully you have great doctors and the care that you need. Not sure why no treatment yet. My first one was bleeding when I was diagnosed driving home one day. The second wasn’t but was larger than the first. I wish you lots of prayers during this time.
I hope my reply helps you, in some way...I had aneurysm clipping surgery three years ago, for very large aneurysms...I still have 4 aneurysms, 2 on the ophthalmic artery right side... They are 2 and 3 mm.
I recently had my three year angiogram follow-up and the 2 small aneurysms on the ophthalmic artery were unchanged. A big relief!! :) I encourage you to stay positive and know that they will do surgery only when they feel it is less of a risk, than the aneurysms. At least this is the way I was told by the surgeons...the neurosurgeon and the radio-neurosurgeon. I hope you continue forward, living life, fully!. The aneurysms are small, so the risk is less. I wish you peace of mind and heart!
I had 2. One was 8 mm and the other was 4mm. My neurosurgeon said that they were in a spot unprotected by anything and we elected to have them taken care of thru endovascular surgery. In one tues. Out on wed. Hope this helps
Oh wow maya, same here. I had my clipping first then other surgeries were done endovascular. So sorry you still have other aneurysms. It’s crazy that we can walk around with them and not know it. Praying for you also.
Maya said:
Dear Joy,
I hope my reply helps you, in some way...I had aneurysm clipping surgery three years ago, for very large aneurysms...I still have 4 aneurysms, 2 on the ophthalmic artery right side... They are 2 and 3 mm.
I recently had my three year angiogram follow-up and the 2 small aneurysms on the ophthalmic artery were unchanged. A big relief!! :) I encourage you to stay positive and know that they will do surgery only when they feel it is less of a risk, than the aneurysms. At least this is the way I was told by the surgeons...the neurosurgeon and the radio-neurosurgeon. I hope you continue forward, living life, fully!. The aneurysms are small, so the risk is less. I wish you peace of mind and heart!
3mm…ophthalmic Ica junction…higher pressure from blood jets causes aneurysms in this location…had crani and clipping…left with a small field defect in the right eye…lot of postop complications…all resolved…not worried about a catastrophic rupture anymore…
Oh wow maya, same here. I had my clipping first then other surgeries were done endovascular. So sorry you still have other aneurysms. It's crazy that we can walk around with them and not know it. Praying for you also.
Maya said:
Dear Joy,
I hope my reply helps you, in some way...I had aneurysm clipping surgery three years ago, for very large aneurysms...I still have 4 aneurysms, 2 on the ophthalmic artery right side... They are 2 and 3 mm.
I recently had my three year angiogram follow-up and the 2 small aneurysms on the ophthalmic artery were unchanged. A big relief!! :) I encourage you to stay positive and know that they will do surgery only when they feel it is less of a risk, than the aneurysms. At least this is the way I was told by the surgeons...the neurosurgeon and the radio-neurosurgeon. I hope you continue forward, living life, fully!. The aneurysms are small, so the risk is less. I wish you peace of mind and heart!
Dear London and Hunter's Mommie....:) Thank you for your comment! Glad you are doing well!
My craniotomy was a 17 hour surgery as they encountered problems with an aneurysm that was hidden behind the optic nerve...I had a fusifom 15 mm and another 9 mm... The one behind the optic nerve was extremely difficult to clip, but they did what they could...and I am alive and well today!! I lost my vision completely in my left eye and a field of vision affected my right eye...but here I am :)) ... able to type and communicate.. :) Life is such that we reinvent ourselves in ways we could not even imagine!
It was a rough stretch in my life journey...but then...all of us here know that we are lucky... to be part of this forum and champion our cause and cheer each-other on!
My situation differs slightly as I was treated with a craniotomy for AVM resection last year. There are some studies saying that aneurysms can be caused by AVM's. This would mean that there's a small chance of aneurysm regression or involution or stability at the very least now that the AVM is gone. That sounded so awesome to me but it's not well studied. You guessed it--having both at once is rare. There's a big part of me that can't handle another craniotomy which is my only treatment option at present because my doc doesn't want to do surgery now. It just keeps my head spinning. Thank you for your stories. I'm glad you are well okay.
Maya - sound like two peas in a pod with our similar story of these aneurysms. I got my vision back a year or so later but still lots of issues with eyesight. The doctors were baffled when I told them I couldn’t see after craniotomy I was like whaaatt??? You just opened my brain and drilled a hole in my skull. It’s just crazy but nice to hear you are doing ok in your new life. Yes it’s been something else.
Maya said:
Dear London and Hunter’s Mommie… Thank you for your comment! Glad you are doing well!
My craniotomy was a 17 hour surgery as they encountered problems with an aneurysm that was hidden behind the optic nerve…I had a fusifom 15 mm and another 9 mm… The one behind the optic nerve was extremely difficult to clip, but they did what they could…and I am alive and well today!! I lost my vision completely in my left eye and a field of vision affected my right eye…but here I am :)) … able to type and communicate… Life is such that we reinvent ourselves in ways we could not even imagine!
It was a rough stretch in my life journey…but then…all of us here know that we are lucky… to be part of this forum and champion our cause and cheer each-other on!
I had a small aneurysm in the ica which had three lumps on it. It was treated with a pipeline embollization device. The dr said mine needed to be taken care of, and that it would be very difficult to treat any other way. I was in the ICU overnight after the pipeline was placed, and I am fine now. Where are you getting treatment?
Joy - if you can tell me what the closest large city is that you live near, I will tell you where to go for a second opinion. Don’t live in fear, but DO get the very best medical opinions you can from the most experienced neurosurgeons. A doctor once told me that if you need surgery you want to find a surgeon who’s done hundreds and hundreds of them before yours (with good outcomes). LMK and I will get back to you.
Mahoneybirdie… I find it odd so few of these posts discuss the PED. My wide neck behind my eye was treated without any other options after many years at John Hopkins…and many wonderful hospitals have followed with this treatment.
Maya - sound like two peas in a pod with our similar story of these aneurysms. I got my vision back a year or so later but still lots of issues with eyesight. The doctors were baffled when I told them I couldn't see after craniotomy I was like whaaatt??? You just opened my brain and drilled a hole in my skull. It's just crazy but nice to hear you are doing ok in your new life. Yes it's been something else. :)
Maya said:
Dear London and Hunter's Mommie....:) Thank you for your comment! Glad you are doing well!
My craniotomy was a 17 hour surgery as they encountered problems with an aneurysm that was hidden behind the optic nerve...I had a fusifom 15 mm and another 9 mm... The one behind the optic nerve was extremely difficult to clip, but they did what they could...and I am alive and well today!! I lost my vision completely in my left eye and a field of vision affected my right eye...but here I am :)) ... able to type and communicate.. :) Life is such that we reinvent ourselves in ways we could not even imagine!
It was a rough stretch in my life journey...but then...all of us here know that we are lucky... to be part of this forum and champion our cause and cheer each-other on!
Be well and happy and stay very very healthy!
Love and blessings,
Maya
Wow Maya,
How do you do it with the vision problems? I no longer drive and it's been an inconvience to my family to say the least. I got my license reinstated after they suspended them do to my surgery, but I don't feel comfortable at all getting behind the wheel of a car. I also feel uncomfortable in a large store (maybe the lighting?) Left perifrial vision loss. Glad you're doing well!
That is were mine was located. I was fortunate that my neurosurgeon (who has now moved to Ohio State from Tampa General Hospital) did both clipping and coiling so after doing the angiogram, I was given the options and risks etc. I decided to go with the coiling. I was warned that I could lose sight in my left eye either way but I considered that minor. I was concerned about this thing rupturing. There have been 7 in our family history with aneurysms and 3 didn't survive.
The first thing I remember upon waking is them asking me how many fingers they were holding in front of my left eye. I could see perfectly. I spent 1 night in ICU and went home the next day. I was 54 and this was in 2010. I had good followup angios and have early MRA's.
Hi. I have an ophthalmic aneurysm. It was 7mm before I had a pipeline stent placed. It’s now 2-3 MM for the past 2 years. It hasn’t changed. My doctor seems pleased with it. It hasn’t extended! I don’t think yours is something to worry about. Mine was found incidentally. No idea how long it was there before it was found. Good luck. I would just keep an eye on it!
