Pseudotumor Cerebri Support Group
Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) is a neurological disorder that is characterized by increased intracranial pressure, in the absence of a tumor or other diseases affecting the brain or its lining. Diagnosis requires brain scans and lumbar puncture. Characteristic symptoms are headache, transient visual obscurations or transient visual loss in one or both eyes usually lasting...
Hello Everyone,
I had significant vision loss when I first became ill with pseudotumor cerebri. Ast my worst I was below 60 degrees, but I leveled out at 85 degrees after about 9 months. After getting a second opinion, a low vision specialist sent me to occupational therapy and after about 8 sessions I did a goldmann visual field instead of a humphreys and I was at 111 degrees, that was last year. Recently, I took a humpreys and it had me at 85 degrees where I leveled out in the first place. My lawyer said that the goldmann test is very subjective and that it is why she thinks I scored so high. I have a visual field coming up and I want to take a humphreys. I don't know what to do, right now I am not driving at all and it sucks. I don't know how to tell my doctor that the 111 degree might be a mistake because the goldmann is more subjective than the humphreys. Has anyone else had a vision issue like this?
Thank You So Much!
I had significant vision loss when I first became ill with pseudotumor cerebri. Ast my worst I was below 60 degrees, but I leveled out at 85 degrees after about 9 months. After getting a second opinion, a low vision specialist sent me to occupational therapy and after about 8 sessions I did a goldmann visual field instead of a humphreys and I was at 111 degrees, that was last year. Recently, I took a humpreys and it had me at 85 degrees where I leveled out in the first place. My lawyer said that the goldmann test is very subjective and that it is why she thinks I scored so high. I have a visual field coming up and I want to take a humphreys. I don't know what to do, right now I am not driving at all and it sucks. I don't know how to tell my doctor that the 111 degree might be a mistake because the goldmann is more subjective than the humphreys. Has anyone else had a vision issue like this?
Thank You So Much!
I dont think most of us have had the opportunity to do more then one version of a visual field test.
how well do yo get on with your doctor? many doctors recogonise that one type of test can be more accurate then another, there are advances in medicine all the time and they have to do their own research into new tests and practices to keep up. you could ask for copies of all your test results and take in print outs and show him your results and the evidence may speak for itself and they may see that goldmans is more accurate and let you do that.
If your doc is not that approachable, maybe you need a letter from a medical professional. If your lawyer feels there is some evidence for her statement why the humphreys is subjective or knows of a doctor who dealt with one of the cases where it proved subjective before can she not help you to source a letter to submit to your explaining the findings?
I know it must be so frustrating for you at the moment - i hope that not only you are able to get it sorted out, but that your eye sight continues to improve!
Keren
So sorry to hear what you are going through.
Unfortunately I don't know much about all the visual field testing, but I'm am very interested in learning, it's a passion of mine.
I did want to mention something I had learned recently. My husband is in grad school for occupational therapy, he is specializing in low vision rehabilitation. There's an additional specialization for OTs that involves teaching those with low vision to drive independently. In the US, each state DMV has a limit on the amount of vision you must have to hold a drivers license, but there is wiggle room for those with low vision. I'm not sure of the exact state of your vision currently, but maybe you could find an OT specialized in driving. They would help you learn the necessary skills to drive on the road, focused on maximizing the use of the vision you do have.
I know when I first became sick my vision was significantly impaired and I depended on my husband to drive me everywhere. You truly can feel such a loss of independence and it really does suck!
I'm sending positive vibes and well wishes your way! If you ever need anyone to talk to, please feel free to message me.
Automated Humphrey visual field test - press a button if and when patient see a light in their peripheral visual field. A report is then generated.
Goldmann visual field test - an examiner manually moves a light target of differing sizes and intensities. The patient lets the technician know as soon as its seen in the visual field. In a Goldmann the examiner maps out the visual field, while performing the test.
I've been asked to take a Goldmann. My Humphrey scores show loss but are inconstant. My Dr. believes that I may just be a poor test taker and a slower manual exam will reveal my true loss.