Please login to post a response.

• 2 different diagnosis
• Posted: 2012-10-16 14:30:01 By Fiona M
• Hi
  My husband a former marine and current cancer patient was recently told by the drs at the VA Hospital that he has retinoschisis that is very bad and urgent for him to have some laser surgery. We then went to Mass Eye and Ear and they said he was fine. I don't know what to do - 2 such different diagnosis. I feel like he needs a 3rd opinion - any suggestions?
  thanks

• laser surgery
• Posted: 2012-10-27 13:36:47 By Michael P
• Hi Fiona M,
  
  No one here can give you the answer you seek but you can help yourself make a decision. What problems is he experiencing that will be corrected by the laser surgery?
  
  Does he have floaters? Does he see blood? Has his vision declined rapidly? Does he see light flashes? Does he feel pain? Are there new symptoms or is everything as it has been?
  
  Why laser surgery, are the VA doctors worried about a detachment, are there unstable blood vesicles; why?
  
  Just because they diagnosed XLRS does not mean they need to do something? If his vision is stable you may want to ask the Doctor to prescribe Dorzolamide 2% eye drops and have an OCT eye scan to measure the cysts (every retina specialist has one these days). After 3-months redo the eye scan and measure the difference. In many cases the drops eliminate the cysts on the retina that may be the cause of damage. This is my case. He may or may not have an improvement in his acuity.
  
  Your husband should see a Retina Specialist not an ophthalmologist. You also want to talk with the doctor and make sure s/he has seen and treated XLRS in the past (I have found that Retina Specialist and not familiar with the condition as it is rare). Honestly, most of the time there is nothing they will or can do accept monitor. That is to say with the exception of Dorzolamide.
  
  MikeP