I can’t seem to find much information on this. Everyone told me I was going to be fine but I found out yesterday that I’m partially blind in both eyes. I was not told much more information about this other than it can improve by reading left to right with a finger over a year but is permanent. I’m very sad. I know I should be grateful for not being completely blind but this is too much for me right now as of just discovering this yesterday. Lately I have ringing in my ears when I wake up.
How did you deal with this? Were you able to still drive? I don’t know how to deal with this. Are seizures related to partial blindness caused by the brain? Please share any information you have. Thanks
Chelsea, Since my brain hemorrhage, I lost vision on both the left and right peripheral vision areas. I also have constant ringing in my ears and seizures.
For my vision, I see a Neuro-Opthimologist and for my seizures I see a Neuro-Epilipsy doctor. What I have learned over the years is to see a specialist for both the vision and seizure issues. Your doctor is the person to ask if you can drive.
Hi Chelsea...sorry to hear the bad news but on the plus side they are saying it will get better in time. I wasnt able to drive and seizures are part of the AVM/removal via brain surgery symptoms to be expected...God bless!
Hi Chelsea. Overnight I needed reading glasses which I never needed before, and my depth perception is off a tad, and I have a blind spot in one area of my left eye. I had a baseline performed before my craniotomy, and low and behold i did lose some vision. I didn't notice it right away until I had a test done, so it really didn't bother me too bad. You did well, and here you are asking questions...that's a blessing all it's own. I do drive with no issues, just a bit more cautious at night. As far as the ringing goes, i've had those days as well and they have pretty much stopped all together. The healing process takes a long time as I was told, and I can't disagree as i do have some quirky days at times that I cannot explain. You are doing great. I'm sure your Neurologist can guide you in the proper direction...keep your head up! Prayers....
Hi Chelsea. I'm so sorry to hear about your sight problems. You must be devastated. I'm not sure if your issues are a result of hemorrhage or perhaps treatment. It would be useful to know. In addition to my AVM I suffer with Hydrocephalus for which I need operations to insert/revise a VP Shunt. After each one I lose my driving license for 6 months. Its a right pain but I guess I would rather be safe. I agree with others here and your doctor/neurologist is the best person to advise on how you cope with all this going forward. He/she will be able to advise if you should be on medication and will also know if you are okay to drive. Very best of luck to you.
Hi, Chelsea. After my AVM ruptured and while I was still in the hospital one of the many astute neuro ICU nurses detected a peripheral visual field cut upon assessing me. When I was finally discharged I had an appointment to see the low-vision clinic (it actually took about a few months to get in to see them for an appointment). By the time I was seen at the clinic the field-cut has resolved on it's own (they told me this is common).
Many states (including Maryland where I live) have a self-report law where you are legally obligated to report to the DMV that you've had a stroke. They basically made me re-take the driving test. Prior to taking the test I did some adaptive driving training with an occupational therapist who specialized in this. On my second try I was able to regain the ability to legally drive. If you don't have any information on this I'd suggest talking to your rehab director (likely a neuropsychologist or physiatrist). I hope this helps.
I have a large loss of left peripheral vision in both eyes and my far vision is much worse after my brain bleed 5 years ago. I did go through a year and a half of vision therapy and have prism glasses and did finally get my driving rights back. But my eyes change so often and the prism lenses are so expensive I have just stopped driving altogether, not feeling very safe. I continue to do the vision therapy exercises and brain/vision games every day to try to keep steady or even improve my vision. My left visual deficit has gotten slightly better since I got out of vision therapy but I'm starting to think it might never come all the way back. Especially since a huge chunk of my occipital lobe is no longer there. I'm excited it rerouted as well as it did.
Like you, I'm thankful I can still see at all, but I do miss the left vision and still run into people, things etc even when I'm trying to pay careful attention. Family and friends are used to this but strangers in stores etc don't really understand and think I'm just being rude - or even drunk as I was accused of last week...sigh...
Mine aren't related to seizures though - luckily I've never had one, although I'm on some pretty hefty anti seizure meds for the rest of my life to make sure I don't start getting them.
Be thankful that you did not lose more. What you have is called homonymous hemianopia. I have had this since 1959, as I had a brain hemorrhage when I was 8, in 1959. I had spots missing in my vision prior to the bleed, and after the craniotomy, the loss was severe. No vision to the left from center in both eyes. They said it could improve, but it never changed. It is hard to not trip over things on the left, or I walk into anything on the left that is not normally there. I have walked into people, and they can get mad because you can look at me and think I am fine. Well, I have very little 3D vision. I have no convergence of my eyes. They see things differently. Since I was young at the time this happened, I was told by my eye doctor my brain decided to ignore visual messages from my left eye. I really see in a monocular way. I had to get the muscles that control the left eye tightened around ten years ago because my left eye was wandering all over. I do not drive, and I found the best doctor to see is a neuro optometrist. Good luck, and you will adjust.
