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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Survey - Optometrists CH info
        
(Message started by: RichardN on Jan 3rd, 2006, 11:01am)
Title: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by RichardN on Jan 3rd, 2006, 11:01am
 Hi all and PF wishes for the new year.

 Last week I saw my optometrist for new exam/prescription.  My last visit (8/14/01) was prompted in an effort to find the cause of my ha pain . . . as the other docs had no diagnosis or working meds and it seemed logical to me (as pain started behind right eye) to consider eye strain/incorrect prescription as possible area to explore.  Didn't help of course, and I was in agony/desperation for another six months til' finding this site . . .  THANK YOU ALL (and especially DJ).

 This time I asked my optometrist if he had ever seen any information on CH in any of his professional journals . . .  reply was negative.  He showed interest in the condition (and some surprise at our use of 02 as abortive) which has prompted me to post this simple survey as I'm thinking many undiagnosed CH sufferers also might turn to the above specialists in their search for an answer . . .  ANY answer.  And who knows . . . . we might be able to prompt a journal article or similar awareness to educate yet another group of professionals who might have early contact with clusterheads.   So . . . .

   1.  Prior to your diagnosis, did you see an optometrist in the hope of discovering a possible cause for your headaches?

   2.  If yes, did your optometrist offer any possible causes for your headaches?  Please list if any.

   3.  Did your optometrist have any knowledge of CH, and if so, what was his advise?

 I pick up my new glasses Friday or Monday.  I would like to send him here to view your responses.  

 Be Safe,   PFDANs

   Richard
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by Racer1_NC on Jan 3rd, 2006, 11:08am

Quote:
1.  Prior to your diagnosis, did you see an optometrist in the hope of discovering a possible cause for your headaches?

Yes


Quote:
2.  If yes, did your optometrist offer any possible causes for your headaches?  Please list if any.

No


Quote:
3.  Did your optometrist have any knowledge of CH, and if so, what was his advise?

No knowledge

Bill
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by marlinsfan on Jan 3rd, 2006, 11:58am
1. yes
2. no
3. no (and neither did I).

BTW: I've had a very stable astigmatism for 30 yrs. I only use my glasses when I'm driving, reading, watching tv/movie/computer screen. I've had CH for 23 yrs +/-.

PF wishes.
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by nani on Jan 3rd, 2006, 12:11pm
1.  Prior to your diagnosis, did you see an optometrist in the hope of discovering a possible cause for your headaches?  
No

   2.  If yes, did your optometrist offer any possible causes for your headaches?  Please list if any.
N/A

   3.  Did your optometrist have any knowledge of CH, and if so, what was his advise?
Don't know

Something interesting (and the reason I replied)
I've been wearing glasses since I was 3 years old. Myopia and an astigmatism. My right eye was always much worse than my left eye (cluster side). Lately I've noticed that the vision in my left eye is much worse. I haven't had an appointment to confirm this, but I found it interesting.

edited for spelling
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by E-Double on Jan 3rd, 2006, 12:22pm

on 01/03/06 at 11:01:24, RichardN wrote:


   1.  Prior to your diagnosis, did you see an optometrist in the hope of discovering a possible cause for your headaches? Yes

   2.  If yes, did your optometrist offer any possible causes for your headaches?  Please list if any. Occular
Hypertension..thus the pressure behind the eye. I have this and guess what ....CH

   3.  Did your optometrist have any knowledge of CH, and if so, what was his advise? Nope but he does now

 I pick up my new glasses Friday or Monday.  I would like to send him here to view your responses.  

 Be Safe,   PFDANs

   Richard
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by Ghost on Jan 3rd, 2006, 12:28pm

on 01/03/06 at 11:01:24, RichardN wrote:
 Hi all and PF wishes for the new year.

 
   1.  Prior to your diagnosis, did you see an optometrist in the hope of discovering a possible cause for your headaches?
Yes!

   2.  If yes, did your optometrist offer any possible causes for your headaches?  Please list if any.
Yes, tested and negative on all.

   3.  Did your optometrist have any knowledge of CH, and if so, what was his advise?
No I didnt either at the time.

Hope this helps thanks.

Mike
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by Melissa on Jan 3rd, 2006, 1:22pm
1. No, because I have had glasses since I was 9 years old, and my CH's began when I was 16.  Also, I had more sinus infections that the docs thought were behind my HA's instead of any eye probs.

2. n/a

3. No.  The subject never came up because we (my mom and I) thought they were some variation of migraines since my mom got severe migraines.


Additional comments: My lastest eye doc actually has heard of CH's, and said that is probably the reason for the slight nerve damage behind my right eye.  I think that may be why my prescrip. for my right eye needs changing almost every year. :-/
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jan 3rd, 2006, 1:44pm
This abstract does not speak to cluster but it does suggest that careful diagnosis is needed. One other article said that cluster is not usually associated with underlying disorders.
---------
Med Clin North Am. 1991 May;75(3):693-706. Related Articles, Links  


Ophthalmologic aspects of headache.

Tomsak RL.

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio.

Pain around the eye can be caused by local ophthalmic disorders or by disease of other structures sharing trigeminal nerve sensory innervation. In general, most ocular causes for pain also cause the eye to be red, thus alerting the examiner to the focality of the problem. However, conditions like eyestrain, intermittent angleclosure glaucoma or neovascular glaucoma, and low-grade intraocular inflammation can be painful and not be associated with obvious redness. Ocular signs and symptoms also occur with numerous other causes of headache. Double vision in association with periocular pain can result from orbital lesions, isolated cranial neuropathies, and cavernous sinus lesions. Pupillary abnormalities like Horner's syndrome may result from a variety of painful conditions, including cluster headache, parasellar neoplasms or aneurysms, internal carotid dissection or occlusion, and Tolosa-Hunt syndrome. Pain with a dilated and unreactive pupil may reflect a benign condition like Adie's syndrome or ophthalmoplegic migraine, or it may herald the presence of a life-threatening posterior communicating artery aneurysm. Headache and transient visual loss can be manifestations of classic migraine, or be symptoms of ocular hypoperfusion from ipsilateral internal carotid occlusion or increased intracranial pressure from pseudotumor cerebri. In a young patient, head pain with a fixed visual deficit may result from optic neuritis, in an older adult, temporal arteritis may be the culprit. Ophthalmologic aspects of headache thus encompass problems that range from simple and benign to complex and formidable.

Publication Types:
Review

PMID: 2020223 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by BobG on Jan 3rd, 2006, 1:58pm
1. yes

2. no

3. no
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by Sean_C on Jan 3rd, 2006, 2:10pm
1. Y

2. N

3. N

Sean..........................
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by Kevin_M on Jan 3rd, 2006, 3:19pm

on 01/03/06 at 11:01:24, RichardN wrote:
1.  Prior to your diagnosis, did you see an optometrist in the hope of discovering a possible cause for your headaches? No.

   2.  If yes, did your optometrist offer any possible causes for your headaches?  Please list if any.  No.

   3.  Did your optometrist have any knowledge of CH, and if so, what was his advise?  Once I had a doc that was aware, but no advise.


Richard, I had started a thread two years ago because I came back from an eye exam and the doc asked if I got headaches, bad ones that wake you up at night, after he looked into my CH eye.  
 I actually do not know how to move a thread here but it is in archives year 2004, page 149.  You may find something you can ask your doc before going if you read it, or if someone could move/link it here...

Eye exam sees something
« Pages 1 2 » Jan 9th, 2004, 8:32pm
by Kevin_M

Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by Sean_C on Jan 3rd, 2006, 3:46pm
http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=2004posts;action=display;num=1073597685
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by chewy on Jan 3rd, 2006, 3:52pm
If an optometrist can cure your clusters then you didn't have clusters to begin with.
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by Kevin_M on Jan 3rd, 2006, 3:55pm
Thanks Sean,

I knew this place was techno-handicap approved.   ;)



Just a lot of eye stuff was already discussed in the thread.
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by BobG on Jan 3rd, 2006, 4:21pm
Forgot to mention in my response above..........

substitute Ear-Nose-Throat Doctor and/or Dentist for Optometrist and get the same answers. Yes, No. No.
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by Ueli on Jan 3rd, 2006, 5:28pm
1. No
2. N/A
3. Yes, but he knew there is no connectiom between CH with any eye anomaly.
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by BarbaraD on Jan 3rd, 2006, 5:51pm
Y
N
N

Still doesn't have a clue. Great with cateracts, but knows nothing about CH and really doesn't care....

Hugs BD
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by Jonny on Jan 3rd, 2006, 7:28pm

on 01/03/06 at 11:58:40, marlinsfan wrote:
3. no (and neither did I).


This is key!, if you have not been diagnosed (Which most aint when searching) then how can an eye doc even guess what you have?
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by Barry_T_Coles on Jan 4th, 2006, 2:28am
1 No
2 N/A
3 N/A

Been wearing glasses for the last 25 years for screen work & reading close work but only had CH for the last 6 years.
My only problem is my arms got to short. ;;D
Barry
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by Jasmyn on Jan 5th, 2006, 2:48am
1. Yes
2. No
3. No
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by Spike_Inmyeye on Jan 5th, 2006, 4:30pm
I have a friend who is a neuro-opthamologist.  There is a specialty!  He said the optic nerve, and associated "sight" nerves, have nothing to do with CH.  He said the physical response to a cluster, swelling, runny nose, watering eye, etc.  may affect your eye but  these symptoms occur as a result of a histamine reaction brought on by vascular response to an errant hypothalmus.  If you have vision problems it is because your eye is screwed up and not because you have CH.  He also said that anyone who has CH should have them diagnosed by a neurologist or internist with a background in headaches.  All other specialists will think it is in your head (so to speak!) and claim credit when your cycle ends and blame you for being too "anxious" when your cycle starts again!  I think he nailed that one!
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by StressFree on Jan 5th, 2006, 5:23pm
   1.  Prior to your diagnosis, did you see an optometrist in the hope of discovering a possible cause for your headaches?

Yes.

   2.  If yes, did your optometrist offer any possible causes for your headaches?  Please list if any.

Eye strain, tension headache, TMJ, allergies

   3.  Did your optometrist have any knowledge of CH, and if so, what was his advise?

No. Eyes were good, go see a dentist or family practice doctor.

I did the whole gammut of misdiagnosis before seeing a neurologist who specialized in headaches. I had never thought that a headache specialist might exist. The family doctor (allergies), dentist (wisdom teeth - all 4 extracted), orthodontist (bite plate and TENS treatment), optomitrist (vision check), and chiropractor (spine and neck adjustments and TENS treatment) all seemed to think their specialties could help my condition, but gave no accurate diagnosis and little to no help at all. They were happy to run lots of tests and take my money though! Thank God for Clusterheadaches.Com and the occasional decent family doctor or neurologist that have a clue! Rich
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by Guiseppi on Jan 5th, 2006, 5:44pm
That was my first thought too, I was about 17, and since the pain was a stabbing pain in the eye my pediatrician said I must need glasses. My optometrist couldn't find anything wrong, but thought the eye on the headache side looked droopy and lazy and thought that might be causing the pain. He gave me a prescription for glasses that would help out my "droopy" eye! (well my eye still droops about 8 weeks at a time!)

Nuff to say it didn't work. It was 25 more years before I actually needed glasses. It was 4 years till I found the doctor whose brother had CH's. I never re visited the optometrist to see if he had learned anything about CH's.

Guiseppi
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by yikes-another-one on Jan 7th, 2006, 6:02pm
yes,
yes - but cannot remember
no

(vision changes, the one eye is red and teary-
and the pupil locks as the lights are too painful
so when asked to read the chart, i cannot, even
  with my normal glasses on ...because the tears....
Most seem surprised that i cannot make out any letters
but  it only happens when in the midst of t he headache.  Once pain disappears, "normal" vision returns.)
Tamara
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by Karla on Jan 7th, 2006, 6:23pm
1.  Prior to your diagnosis, did you see an optometrist in the hope of discovering a possible cause for your headaches?  
Yes with the pain behind my right eye and reduced vision I assummed it was an eye condition.
 
   2.  If yes, did your optometrist offer any possible causes for your headaches?  Thought I needed a perscription.  I was examed and my perscription was not correctable.  No matter what lense he put up there it wouldn't correct my vision.  He had me come back a week latter same thing.  We went through 4 visits.  Every time not able to correct my vision but guess what I was getting hit with a ch.  By this time I had been diagnosed by a neuro.  The eye dr was dumb founded and had never seen such a thing before.
 
   3.  Did your optometrist have any knowledge of CH, and if so, what was his advise?  
No he didn't and I explained it to him.
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by RichardN on Jan 9th, 2006, 2:20am
Thanks to all for your responses and comments.

So far:  Twelve did . . " see an optometrist in the hope of finding a possible cause . . . ."

            Five did not.

            Of the twelve that did see an eye doc, five did offer "possible causes" . . . . and thank you for listing same.   And seven did not.

            One of the twelve did have "knowledge of CH", but had no advise.


 note to Nani:  My right (CH) side is also the worse.

 Thanks to Bob J. for your post. I'm sure the doc will appreciate the resourses of this board.

 Kevin, thanks for your post . . .  and to Sean for posting the link . . . . good information there and should be interesting reading for my optometrist.

 Bob G. - I know a practicing Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose, Throat doc) who I happened to see several months back.  I asked him if he had any cluster patients.  His immediate reply, "for that, you need a neurologist".  And, he was aware of CH symptoms . . . . point being, had you seen him you would have at least been guided in the right direction . . . . . and that's the whole point of this simple exercise . . . . awareness.

 I of course in no way meant to suggest that proper and accurate diagnosis of CH can/should be sought at the optometrist, but I am suggesting that, due to the nature of CH (pain behind eye, tearing, etc.), that un-diagnosed sufferers tend to explore that avenue more often than not (better than two thirds DID see an optometrist prior to diagnosis) that any effort to educate another group, or individual likely to have contact with clusterheads . . . . is worth the effort.

 Just tryin' to "dip an oar" folks.

   Be Safe   PFDANs

     Richard
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by BobG on Jan 9th, 2006, 3:04am
Richard, your Otolaryngologist is much more knowledgeable than the one I went to. At least he had heard of clusters and knew it was neurologist that had to be seen. I saw mine about 1980, back in the dark ages of clusters.
You’re right in your statement that since the pain is in the eye an optometrist is the one we would naturally think of seeing. And in the same way since the pain can be behind the eye in the sinus area an Ear, Nose, Throat doc is the one to see. Then there is the pain in the teeth so off you go to the dentist. Vicious circle.
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by cynjeep89 on Jan 13th, 2006, 3:13pm
1) yes
2) no
3) no

My poor right eye has taken a beating from the CHs and now Grave's Disease has decided to play games with the same eye.  Always wondering if the problems are somehow related.  Saw the endocrilologist yesterday and he said they weren't but I don't believe it....too much of a coincidence.
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by CHTom on Mar 9th, 2006, 3:17am
During my last visit to my optomotrist, a new one as my regular guy had retired, he asked me if I had CH because of something (forgot what, it was in May and I have drain bamage) that he noticed in my left (CH) eye that was different from my right.  He first asked me if I had CH because my right eyelid was drooping (that part I do remember) and after I confirmed it, he stood back when he shined that little flashlight into my CH eye-I've a tendency to jump up when any bright light is shined into my CH eye.  Smart doc!
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by ABarham on Mar 9th, 2006, 9:42am
For Adam --
No
N/A
Don't Know

Mama Weezer
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by suziq on Mar 12th, 2006, 3:45pm
1. Yes
2. No
3. No

In my late teens, my left eye would get extremely red and hurt. When I went to the eye doctor, I was diagnosed with episcleritis and given an anti-inflammatory eye drop. My red eye would come and go over the years. Now I know it's not episcleritis, but Horner's syndrome.  A year ago, the redness returned  with the excrutiating pain - the eye doctors had no idea I had CH.

I'm so sorry we all have this - Suziq
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by jesbri on Mar 16th, 2006, 2:31pm
Richard,

Your story sounds so much like mine.  I went three years in a row to my optomitrist looking to see if I had a problem with my perscription or my eyes.

He was the one who told me he thought I might have CH, and he eventually diagnosed me.  I have had further diagnoses from other doctor's but he was the first.

He did not have any advice on how to handle them, all he told me was that it was (as far as he knew-at that time) unusual for them to effect 20 year old women (now I know it's not true).  His suggestion was to follow up with my MD.
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by Mr.YL on Mar 23rd, 2006, 2:42pm
1- Yes over 20 years ago; that was my first stop as I was refered to one...
2-No...vision was perfect
3-No
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by owk on Mar 27th, 2006, 6:54pm

on 01/03/06 at 11:01:24, RichardN wrote:
1.  Prior to your diagnosis, did you see an optometrist in the hope of discovering a possible cause for your headaches?


Yes!


Quote:
2.  If yes, did your optometrist offer any possible causes for your headaches?  Please list if any.


Told me to wait. "Those come and go on some people", he said. Little did he know he was partially right. They come and go, true. But they keep coming and going. :(


Quote:
3.  Did your optometrist have any knowledge of CH, and if so, what was his advise?


None.
Title: Re: Survey - Optometrists CH info
Post by blessedmomof5 on Mar 28th, 2006, 8:36am
   1.  Prior to your diagnosis, did you see an optometrist in the hope of discovering a possible cause for your headaches?
          YES

   2.  If yes, did your optometrist offer any possible causes for your headaches?  Please list if any.
         NO ..except to guess at TMJ since his wife went through headaches due to TMJ..didn't make sense to me that TMJ would cause these symptoms.

   3.  Did your optometrist have any knowledge of CH, and if so, what was his advise?
              NO he didn't seem to.

I did start wearing glasses for an astigmatism but the doc was certain that wasn't what was causing the HA. SO i wear them for reading or when i feel i need to ...but they in NO way help my HA


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