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"Consultant Ophthalmologist an embarrassment"

About: Royal Preston Hospital

Since 2014 I have had health problems associated with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (csf leak spinal) and a subarachnoid hemorrhage. I have also recently been diagnosed with moderate right carotid artery stenosis of 59% at the bulb. Previously suffered months of diplopia (double vision) due to 6th nerve palsy. For the last three years I have had some difficulty opening my right eye after prolonged overnight sleep (not short day time naps). Since my thoracic blood patch last October I have suffered several episodes of my vision dimming, episodes of right eye twitching and one episode of total vision loss in my left eye and most of my right eye for a very short period. Recently my left eye has also become difficult to open on waking up. I visited the eye assessment unit today and had all the tests done and all came back clear. Meaning that I have suffered no lasting damage to the eyes and current blood supply adequate. The attitude of the consultant was bizzarre to say the least when she started quoting that my symptoms according to the neurologist could not be due to carotid artery stenosis and that no treatment would be offered by the neurologist in the form of any operation or blood thinning medication. I asked her if my eye problems are not blood circulation related what other possible reason could it be. Her reply was "I cannot think of any condition that would explain your symptoms at all". I reminded her of my past medical history and ongoing medical conditions and it became clear that she had no understanding of csf leaks at all causing low pressure and the affect it can have on vision. Totally oblivious to blood patches and csf leak symptoms. The registrar seemed genuinely embarrassed by the consultant being caught out waffling utter nonsense. Basically no explanation or diagnosis offered whatsoever for any of my eye problems. Whether my problems are csf related or carotid artery related remains to be seen. Should I lose my vision or have a stroke because of the lack of medical care/treatment it has all been documented.

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