Seeing spots ( a little long)

Before I was first diagnosed, I had so much trouble with seeing black spots that I mentioned them to my optometrist. She dismissed them as "floaters." I wasn't so sure. Unlike typical floaters they didn't float accross or up and down in my field of vision. They seemed to be stationary black dots on top of whatever direction I was looking in.They might appear and disappear in tenths of a second, or linger, but never for more than a second or two. Then different ones would appear in different spots.

About a week after I got my pacemaker, I realized the spots were gone.

In about 12 months they started to come back. For about a year, as my PMT got worse (but went undiagnosed) the spots got worse. Then the PMT was diagnosed, the pacemaker settings corrected, and the spots went away. Since then, I've seen the correlation between spots and heart issues several times.

I mentioned the spots once to a cardiologist and just got what I call the "hairy eyeball."

I'm seeing spots again and in the last two weeks, more frequently. I've also noticed more frequent and longer lasting arrhymia episodes--not enought to concern me if not for the black spots.

My experience with PVC induced PMT was pretty traumatic. My attempts to tell the cardiologist that something was wrong and getting worse were dismissed as "attention seeking." I'm reluctant to go to the EP with no more hard data than black spots.

What do you think? Is seeing black spots a symptom of heart issues for you?

Thanks for your patience.

 

5 Comments

that's a new one

by Tracey_E - 2018-04-25 18:30:38

I get spots and floaters sometimes, my opthalmalogist calls them painless migraines. I've never noticed them related to anything, they're completely random best I can tell.

Maybe keep a log so you have some facts to take with you?  Track sleep, diet, symptoms both eye and heart. Give them lots of data so they have something to look at and have to take you seriously. 

Ophthalmologist - MD

by Grateful Heart - 2018-04-25 19:43:22

I sometimes have white spots when going from a lighted area to a darker room.  My Ophtalmologist told me if I see black spots....he wants to know immediately.

I would go for a 2nd opinion with an Ophthalmologist.  A retina tear is possible and needs to be diagnosed  or ruled out ASAP.

Grateful Heart

 

Possible

by The real Patch - 2018-04-25 23:07:58

Could be diabetic retinopathy...see your doctor

Thanks all

by Gotrhythm - 2018-04-26 13:21:30

Thanks, everyone, for the comments. You certainly gave me food for thought and some avenues to explore.

My eyes were thoroughly examined in Feb in preparation for catarac surgery. No retinal pathology was found at that time. I have had a Comprehensive Metabolic Blood panel several times in the last year--no signs of diabetes.

But Tracey, I do have "silent" migraines. I experience the aura, which for me is oftern odd smells, but have no pain. It never crossed my mind that I should "connect the dots."  [ pun intended. I couldn't help myself ] I will explore this avenue further.

Could very well be related

by Jane S - 2018-04-26 15:34:02

When I was getting PMT along with other symptoms, headaches and really sore eyes, maybe due to lack of sleep. However  you could be getting the spots instead, take the advice you usually give to folk ...if in doubt get checked, you may well need another wee tweek .

Any thoughts on pulsitile tinitus, getting it bad at the mo, no sleep. Like you I dont want to go back as it could be hormonal.

Good luck, and I bet you will be correct in your diagnosis.

Jane

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