Arnold-Chiari Malformation Support Group
Arnold-Chiari malformation, sometimes referred to as 'Chiari malformation' or ACM, is a congenital anomaly of the brain. Arnold-Chiari Malformation II occurs in almost all children born with both spina bifida and hydrocephalus, but ACM I is typically seen in children and adults without spina bifida.
I am curious what others experience. I have a hard time describing my visual symptoms. Things don't "look right" in a dimensional kind of way, I think. It is not blurred or double. I have visual sensitivity and don't do well in busy environments, such as walking into a big box store. That is visually overwhelming for me. Florescent lighting really bothers me, if I am in it for very long I feel kind of disconnected and my vision get a bit dim.
My NO diagnosed me with ambient focal disorder, which is apparently associated with brain injury, vestibular disorders, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
I am not certain why I have it but I do have chronic fatigue and intracranial hypertension. Lately I have been wondering if I may have an undiagnosed CM contributing to my symptoms and am looking into that and wondered if anyone with CM could relate to these visual complaints.
Thank you!!!
My NO diagnosed me with ambient focal disorder, which is apparently associated with brain injury, vestibular disorders, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
I am not certain why I have it but I do have chronic fatigue and intracranial hypertension. Lately I have been wondering if I may have an undiagnosed CM contributing to my symptoms and am looking into that and wondered if anyone with CM could relate to these visual complaints.
Thank you!!!
ROZIA
what is a NO ??? you need to go to a eye dr and have him check you over real good . to rule out stuff and peace of mind
strizzlow20
That's a neuro ophthalmologist, it is an eye doc :).
deleted_user
Hi I have Chiari Maformation....and I have a lot of visual problems...but I also have cataracts so I am not sure which my problems are from...but interestingly...I am totally allergic to fluoescncent sorry can't spell it....ligthing.....I can't be around any of it.....I get very sick when shopping in big stores or any store that has overheading Flor..lights...I also can not use the CFL light bulbs in my home etc.....I am not sure what that is caused from...but I do not think Floriec...lights are good for anyone......I think they should be outlawed....they are far more dangerous than people realize....my symptoms are this...blurred vision, fuzzy vision....etc....seems to take my eyes quite a while to wake up in the morning.....I hope that helps some....I do wear bi focal glasses and my doctor wanted me to have tri focal....but it was hard enough to do the bi focal.....my vision is 20/100 not good....
deleted_user
OOOOOPS ...I meant to say Florescent lights are NOT GOOD FOR ANYONE>>>>>
rrodgers
I remember when I was young, my mother would embarrass me by wearing her sunglasses into the store. She would always make us turn off lights in the house at night. Now, I understand. I can't stand bright lights. The sun is overwhelming. I have visual disturbances that appear as lightening bolts in my field of vision. I started taking 2000 mg of fish oil each night. I noticed a difference within a week of visual acuity increasing and being able to notice details without suffering exhaustion and pain. I also can't stand loud sounds. I can't filter out background noises. Too much stimulation from the environment.
deleted_user
Well, my vision is only affected when I am going to or having a severe headache. I have 20/20 or better vision but when my headaches come on I have problems. I am very sensitive to light and it makes it even worse or brings on the headaches even faster. My eyes have problems making out letters, they blur especially if I am looking at the TV or anything that is illuminated. I feel a lot of pressure behind my eyes but my eye doctor has ruled out Glaucoma or any type of growth in my eyes. When I am symptom free so are my eyes. I hope that makes sense.
megsmom8816
I think you might be having ocular migraines. I get the lightning bolts when I am getting one, and quite often they are brought on by bright lights and fluorescent lighting in my classroom where I teach. I also have Chiari Malformation, and was decompressed in July of 2008.
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