Definitely. No question about it. I would want to pursue all options and get the best recommendations as soon as possible. Burying ones head in the sand only results in suffocation!

Most definitely! I'm of the opinion, don't be afraid of what the doctor will find, be afraid he/she won't find it. More often than not if a health problem is diagnosed early, it can be dealt with. Not finding it at all or finding it too late will only result in disaster.

I am going through a health concern right now that could have some grim times down the road. Yes, it was scary when the doctor spelled it out for us but I guess in the long run I'm ok with knowing what "could" happen. At least I will be prepared if thIngs worsen. Going to another doctor in July so may know more then.

Yes

I not only would want to know but I'd be all over the net looking for all the latest greatest info on symptoms, treatments, outcomes etc.

I'm of the opinion that the optometrist took the right approach; something is wrong and needs to be seen by someone with the skills to make a correct diagnosis. There could be many reasons causing the issue and I don't think it would be appropriate for them to give a "worst case" diagnosis.

We live in a litigious society. I would not be surprised if someone was told by an eye doctor that they "might have a brain tumor" and it later turns out they did not, the eye doctor would be sued for unnecessary anguish/pain/suffering due to an inaccurate diagnosis. Expressing the concern and following up with a documented letter is appropriate (and kind of a CYA move).

If you look at WebMD, they provide "worst case" scenarios and will even go so far to say you could have bone cancer if you search knee pain. I think that's a bit extreme but appropriate for a web site. People use the internet for all kinds of odd research and this is where going broad based makes sense.

This is what should have been said.....our test results were concerning and we need you to see XXX to follow up. iI can understand the concern here but Without proper testing a diagnosis can not be given or even guessed at. because yes it could be something, but it could slso be poor testing equipment or even settings could be wrong on the test equipment....without farther testing no diagnosis can be given.

Every gory detail. Yes, I would want to know.

Yes, I'd want to know.

I just went through this with my 26 year old renter. He had hip and leg pain. A high achiever with two bachelor degrees, a pilot married to a nurse. They gave him the diagnosis of a fast moving cancer, 3 months to live. We discussed taking out a Lloyds of London insurance policy, bucket list to...... "think they got the slides mixed up?". Had the conversation in October, Dec 23, deceased.

Yes, I would want to know so that a course of action could be determined.

Jaykd - Sorry to hear you are facing a health issue. The waiting and not knowing is the worst. (Big Hug)

Yes. I'd want every scrap of information. I'd want to see a specialist. I'd want a second opinion!

I just read today of a two year study by the Mayo Clinic. It found that their second opinions confirmed the original diagnosis only 12% of the time. In 21% of the cases, the second diagnosis was completely different. In 66% of the cases, the second opinion "refined" the original diagnosis.

jkyd -- Glad to read you are getting that second opinion. Hoping the outcome is more positive for your health.

Jkyd, my thoughts are with you. Please keep us posted.

Mama, good point about the testing equipment. But, I can see that the doctor would notsay that their equipment might be defective.

Yes indeed I want to know everything having to do with my body. I also believe in second and even third opinions by specialists.

When I was going through cancer treatment and attending support groups, I noticed that some people want to know as much as possible about their condition and possible treatments and others don't want to know anything but the next step. Different personality types require different approaches.

Optometrists have neither the training nor the education to be able to diagnose brain tumors. Referral of the patient to a medical doctor was the correct thing to do. At best, a "sign" may suggest a possibility but not a certainty and the communication shouldn't include more certainty than is known.

The doctor walks a thin line. He/she wants to be sure the patient goes to the next level of following up.

Elmer, the visual field shows irregularities, it is not simply a "sign". There is something definitely wrong not a possibility.

In the current days of googling, it was easy to find out what the possible case scenarios would be. And let me assure you, the possibility of nothing wrong wasn't one of the choices.

I would rather know - my imagination can take me to some pretty awful places without knowing. I would rather know up front what the possibilities are so I can prepare myself.

I'd rather know.

Me, I'd want all the information. In this case, the Doctor may have withheld his suspected diagnosis although he was probably more than 50% certain it was serious. He referred that patient to specialist to get a confirmed diagnosis. Until those results were in, the primary doctor refrained from disclosing a suspected, but not confirmed, diagnosis.

It would be my preference to get the early information. I hate waiting for a week or more on pins and needles waiting for an answer. That's worse than knowing what I might expect.

An optometrist is not an MD. They cannot diagnose a suspected brain tumor. Does the mammogram technician inform you of breast cancer. No, the radiologist ( who is an MD) makes that decision.

Good point Rather. But in this case, I saw the printout, which was blacked out in a significant portion of one eye. Obvious that there was a problem.

I think the issue the doctor I saw yesterday was struggling with was how to relay enough information so that the person realizes it is serious and needs to get further attention.

Since they are still struggling with this at that office, it makes me think there is not actual protocol in place. Luckily, this is rare to get this finding in their office. But now, in ten years, they have had two cases.

Absolutely Yes.

I have elevated ocular pressure, use eye drops to good effect, and see my ophthalmologist every 6 months. Once a year I have that test. Someone who isn't diligent about having their eyes checked could have a less than normal test result and it would having nothing to do with a brain tumor.

Brain tumors are diagnosed with an MRI and other diagnostics, no? The optometrist should have simply said there was a result of concern that a medical doctor needed to address. I can't see any ethics involved, there was nothing more for him to say.

Elmer, if the printout shows black areas, there is either a brain tumor or a vascular issue. Pick one!!!!

Using the soft approach on the patient brought no results. The woman was in denial and said that she needed to go to her hair appointment. The office then sent a letter urging her to seek further help. They are hoping she did.

My original question was what people here thought. Most would want to know the possibilities. Of course, you can't know for sure which it is without further testing.

The certainty, in this case, is that it will be something.

Yes, Elmer, that is what the doctor did do. But in this women's case, she was in denial. The doctor was upset that the patient did not see the severity of the situation.

I have to know why this doctor would be discussing another patient's case with you?

That being said, I would want to know that the doctor's findings were concerning.

Or an optic nerve issue or......or....or.

A frequent complaint and source of frustration for healthcare professionals is patients who don't follow instructions/advice and those who suffer from lifestyle maladies (overweight, heart problems, diabetes exacerbated by not enough activity and poor diets, etc).

Having said that, I don't hold optometrists in high esteem. Most ripoff their patients with too high eyeglass prices.

They should NOT be discussing, without consent, one patient with another. It is unprofessional, unethical, and a violation of federal law-HIPPA. Would find a new eye doc.

When I was told you have lung cancer I wanted to know everything good or bad. That was my choice. Don't think I would have wanted to wake up & then be told we had to take part of your lung.