I didn't know there was such a thing.
Now I'm upset I've never been sent to one.

I have double vision in each eye, and a blind spot. The blind spot I've always had, but the double vision is thought to be the result of a hit to the head I got when I was a teenager. I wonder if an NO is who I should see.

I'll be interested in reading how your appointment went.

DH saw one after a mini stroke and plaque release into his eye. I don't remember everything they did but I do remember the appt. was very long.

Haven't been to a NO, but I have been to a glaucoma specialist, and have often had to go to Wills Eye Hospital for a day-long battery of tests.

In my case, I was a glaucoma suspect from the age of 29 on.

The tests I had were:

Visual field--I'm sure you've probably already had this, given what you describe are your problems, but I wouldn't be surprised if they repeat the test to see if there's any change. It's the test where you sit in front of a large white bowl-like thing, staring at the black dot in front of you, and when you see a dot of light anywhere in the 'bowl', you click a clicker. It tests for how much vision you have or have lost.

Hourly pressure checks--no big deal, you know what that's like--they give you the anesthetising drops, then touch your eyeball with the 'blue light'. They do like to test over the course of a day, because your pressures can vary at different times of the day.

Extensive color testing--they would give me trays of 25 color chips and I'd have to put them in order. There were 6 trays, I'd have to do one at a time, and there was a time limit. One tray would be just shades of green (yellow-green to blue-green), another would be shades of blue, or yellow, or purple, etc. The reason is that glaucoma can affect color vision.

Corneal thickness measure. Takes only seconds, is painless, but should ALWAYS be done when glaucoma is a possibility (but not all opthalmologists do this very vital test). I'm not sure, though, how having had cataract surgery might affect this. I never had this test until about 10 years ago. What a relief it was! Turns out, my corneas are so thick, they're off the chart--that was why I've had high pressure readings for over 30 years.

Photos--record the exact state of your optic nerve so your drs can share that information with each other, AND so that future photos can be checked for changes. Generally, for photos, they dilate your eyes with several doses of those dilating drops (more than for a regular exam), and then take pictures of the inside of your eye. It's a bit annoying to have a flash going off into your dilated eye, but not painful or really even uncomfortable.

There have been a few other tests they've tossed in over the years, as well.

Again--I don't know if that's especially helpful, not knowing what your specialist has scheduled. But I'd add that generally when you go to something like that, you won't be having tests for the whole time most likely. There's always some downtime between things, while you wait your 'turn' on the next machine. And part of why they scheduled 4 hours may be so they can to pressure checks at intervals. I'd tuck a book or some sewing into your purse.

If you do have questions or need a second opinion, and it's at all possible, I'd highly recommend Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. They're really the best place to go for anything regarding your eyes. I'm so lucky to live in this area--where almost all the eye drs have trained there, and are associated with the hospital. Even if it's too far out of your geographical area to visit, you might want to check out their website--there's a great deal of patient info, and sometimes they even have online chats where you can talk to some of their world-renowned specialists about your own situation.

Best of luck to you--let us know how you do, and what your exam actually included.

Danihoney, I didn't either. Haven't been yet. Not sure I even want to go through more and more tests. I very much dislike the "which is better: the first one or the second one?" Sometimes I can't tell the difference and I feel like I'm giving the wrong answer! Vision Field is similar, I think I miss a lot of those blinks. That's why I am asking around to see what I can learn about a NO. Ask your eye doctor about it. I'd be curious to know what he/she says.

Terilyn, was it helpful for your DH?

Azzalea, I guess what you described is pretty much what I should expect. I would have to go across the mountain (which can be death-defying in itself) to the University of Virginia Health System, which is a teaching hospital, so there would be interns (?) doing some of the testing. Of course the NO would be overseeing and making any decisions/recommendations. My DD would take me, which means she would be using vacation time from work. She is more than willing to do anything for me, but what a drag that would be for her. What were the results of your visits? Did you have to make any drastic changes,in lens' or meds? I hate doing those drops, twice a day. -(

I'll check out the Wills web site.

If I decide to go, my doctor told me it will take two months to get an appointment.

Thanks to each of you.

Sue

I have been continually seeing a NO post brain injury since 2003. He performed eye muscle surgery back in 2004, which motly corrected my double vision, except for up close work. I had a resurgery back in November of 2010. The healing process takes some time, but the outlook is good. I am very happy with my experiences with the NO. I think every experience will be unique depending on your condition. Good Luck!

Ricky, sounds like you have had a rough time of it. Good to hear that you have found a good NO, and that you continue to make progress.

I will be seeing my Ophthalmologist soon and get more information, especially what she expects the NO might be able to do for my situation.

Thanks for replying, and I hope you continue to improve.

Sue

considring the alternative, good or the best eyesight you can achieve would be worth the trip (bet your dd would agree)i do think a second consult with your ophthahmoligist would be helpful...could your dd go with you for that?