What type of blindness do I have? Is there a cure yet?

Question

I have been "blind" in my left eye since birth. I believe to have a congenital optic nerve malformation...but I'm not certain.

I have very limited perferial vision in my left eye. I can see light and sometimes tell you what the object is. Everything is very blurry.

I do not have muscular control over my left eye. It mostly follows my right eye...but is lazy.

I'm unable to find anything on the Internet about my type of blindness and whether or not it can be surgically corrected.

Any help would be highly appreciated.

Thanks.

I was treated with an eye patch as a young child. It had no success. Eye doctors in the past told me nothing could be done.

Is there a scientific name for optic nerve damage / underdevelopment?

Answer 1

Sounds like a lazy eye to me
Amblyopia is the loss of vision caused when a clear image of the world is not available on the retina during key periods of development. The visual cortex of the brain develops dramatically in babies and young children. It continues to develop throughout the first decade of life.

Anything that interferes with a normal image on the retina during this time can lead to amblyopia – a loss of vision that continues even if no problem remains in the eye.

Who gets it?
Amblyopia might occur in strabismus, when one eye deviates to the side and isn’t used as much. It might occur if there is unequal vision in the two eyes from astigmatism, or if one eye is more nearsighted or farsighted than the other. It might occur if there is a cataract blocking vision in one eye, or if there has been an injury.

Whatever the cause, if the “lazy” eye relaxes, the vision in that eye gets worse, and a destructive cycle begins. The initial difference between the eyes does not have to be dramatic.

Amblyopia can also occur if there is a severe blurring of vision in both eyes, as in severe nearsightedness or farsightedness.

Amblyopia only begins during the first ten years of life. It is more likely, and often more serious, the younger the child is when the retina is not receiving a clear image.

What are the symptoms?
Most amblyopia is discovered during routine eye screening – without any symptoms having been noticed. The symptom of amblyopia is decreased visual acuity, but this is not usually found unless the child has her vision checked.

An eye that deviates, cloudiness in one eye, or any signs or symptoms of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism might suggest that amblyopia is developing as a result.

Is it contagious?
No

How long does it last?
If normal vision is not restored to the eye by about age 6, some degree of vision loss will probably be permanent. Usually a lazy eye should be diagnosed by age 3 in order to restore normal vision to that eye by age 6.

How is it diagnosed?
A March 2002 policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all babies have vision screening (including screening for strabismus and amblyopia) at the earliest possible age, and at regular intervals throughout childhood. Rather than relying on informal or subjective assessments of vision, the policy discusses photoscreening, a new test that can make checking vision easier and more accurate for even very young babies. A specially equipped camera takes their picture and a computer or a person analyzes the eye data obtained. Ask your pediatrician about having your baby screened.

If there are abnormal results on vision screening, or any reason to suspect amblyopia, the child should have a complete eye exam as soon as possible.

How is it treated?
The key to treating amblyopia is starting early. The first order of business is to identify and plan to treat the underlying cause of the amblyopia if it is still present.

It is also important to temporarily block vision in the better eye so that the child will use and exercise the “lazy” eye. This process may go on for weeks or months or even years.

Eye patches have long been a standard treatment for amblyopia. But children and parents alike sometimes have a tough time following through. Even if the child is initially enthusiastic about looking like a pirate, the patch ordeal can soon get old. It did in my house.

I was pleased to see a study published in the March 2002 issue of Archives of Ophthalmology that tested children with amblyopia at 47 different clinical sites. Half received patching (6 hours a day for 6 months); the other half were treated with blurring eye drops in the good eye (one drop of atropine a day for 6 months).

Treatment was successful (at least 3 lines of vision improvement, or vision brought to at least 20/30) in 79 percent of the patched kids and 74 percent of those receiving drops. Atropine drops appear to be a great treatment choice for some families.

How can it be prevented?
Amblyopia can be prevented by the early detection and treatment of strabismus, astigmatism, cataracts, and other vision problems.

Answer 2

The herb feverfew has been used for headaches since at least the 17th century when Nicolas Culpeper wrote, 'It is very effectual for all pains in the head.' It had fallen into some disuse, except among professional herbalists, but has recently come back into favour - with at least two double blind clinical trials proving its effectiveness for migraines. Feverfew has been found to reduce both the frequency and the severity of migraines even when taken on its own, although most herbalists usually combine it with other herbs to improve overall effects. Sufferers should take the equivalent of 125mg of dried herb daily for at least three months. Tonics for the liver and digestive tract are central to the herbal treatment of migraines. Bitter herbs such as centaury will stimulate the digestion so that less of the offending substances reach the bloodstream. Liver herbs like dandelion root or vervain will promote the work of the liver in removing toxins. Stress is important in most cases of migraine. For these people, the calming herbs such as skullcap, wood betony, and perhaps kava kava will help to ease the tension that is promoting migraines. These should be taken throughout the week, like the feverfew, not just at the time of the headache. Other herbs are useful taken during or at the start of a migraine to reduce the pain and return the bloodvessels to a normal size. Those people who are aware of an aura before the migraine may be able to stop it coming on by using a blend of cramp bark (to quickly release blood vessel constriction), valerian (a muscle relaxant and painkiller) and feverfew. These may be taken as tablets, tinctures or teas, always following the label's instructions on dosage. Lavender essential oil should be massaged into the temples at the first sign of an attack. Once the full-blown migraine begins, valerian on its own may still be helpful, as may feverfew. Jamaican dogwood is a more powerful analgesic, specifically used for pains in the head, but as it can be toxic in large doses, it should only be used under the guidance of a professional herbalist. Peppermint essential oil or tiger balm massaged into the temples at this stage will ease the pain. The different triggers of migraines seem to work together, so it is rare to come across someone with a single cause. Therefore you will need to take a holistic approach to treatment, and if you have severe symptoms seek a consultation with a professional herbalist.

Answer 3

Optic nerve underdevelopment is called Optic dysplasia or atrophy. I'm not sure if that applies to you or not, but it's something you could look up on the internet.