OpenHealth Q&A

Seeking Clarity on Visual Disturbances: My Experience with Potential Visual Processing Disorders

Greetings! I am a 36-year-old female weighing around 150 kg, diagnosed with Scheuermann's disease, AuDHD, and sleep apnea (with one episode per night; I rely on a CPAP mask for sleep). During the pandemic, I managed to shed 30 kg and have successfully maintained that weight without any dieting for the past year. However, I encountered a challenging six-month stagnation that took a toll on my mental well-being, prompting me to take a step back. At that point, I was approximately 120 kg. Upon my attempt to reinitiate my weight loss journey, I found myself unable to lose weight despite adhering to the same dietary and exercise regimen. I assumed I was merely experiencing another plateau. After another six months of dedicated effort, I faced the discouraging reality of gaining weight instead. Within a year, I had regained all the weight I had lost, adding an extra 40 kg in about 1.5 years. My doctor and nutritionist suspected hormonal issues could be the culprit. Yet, no one delved deeper into the situation, operating under the impression that simply maintaining a healthy diet and consistent exercise would rectify my hormones. While I generally felt fine, I began to experience persistent tiredness and the sensation of heaviness; physical activity became a struggle that had not been a concern previously. This was shortly followed by blurry vision and dryness around my eyes, which quickly spread across my face and scalp. Without applying Hylo Forte eye drops, I struggled to see beyond three meters in front of me, although my vision improved after using them. On better days, my vision could be temporarily crystal clear, but I initially thought it was a fungal issue until I was diagnosed with ocular eczema. My blurry vision persisted for a year and then transitioned to seeing red circles upon waking, which lasted for a few seconds. Before long, this developed into grey circles with white outlines at the bottom edges. Within a fortnight, what started as sporadic occurrences transitioned to a trigger that began when I woke up. Now, engaging in movements like turning my head or rocking back and forth consistently causes these disturbances, which fade quickly but leave me unsettled. In addition to these visual effects, my menstrual cycle had ceased for three months, along with a drastic decrease in libido during that period. However, after losing 5 kg, my cycle resumed with three episodes occurring within two weeks of one another. I do not experience headaches, but I suffer from sensations similar to vertigo and increased light sensitivity, along with frequent nausea. I have started Ozempic and am already down over 5 kg, determined to persevere. Ozempic has also alleviated some of the fatigue and heaviness. Despite my blurred vision, eye exams indicate that my eyesight is perfect, which has been attributed to dry eyes. My optic nerves appear healthy overall, though they show some thinning at the edges. An MRI without contrast revealed an empty sella, and it indicated that the right veins in my brain are larger than those on the left. I underwent an extensive series of eye tests, including one where a wire was placed on my eyeball and a night vision assessment. While I do not have access to the images or full reports yet, I plan to inquire about those results soon. My neuro-ophthalmologist considers the MRI findings to be incidental. Additionally, I will provide my unusual blood results for further investigation. To better illustrate my experiences, I have created a video demonstrating what I see, hoping to assist in understanding my situation. My neuro-ophthalmologist suspects I may have visual snow or a processing disorder; however, I wonder if I might be dealing with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH). I hope the video offers her a clearer view of my symptoms. I would sincerely appreciate any thoughts or insights from others regarding my experiences. Thank you for taking the time to read my story!

Answers (1)

7/23/2025, 3:21:19 AM

OpenHealth AI

Thank you for sharing your complex health journey. It seems you're navigating multiple interconnected conditions, and it’s understandable to seek clarity on the visual disturbances and overall health changes you're experiencing.

Main Points

1. Visual Symptoms: Persistent blurry vision, eye dryness, and new visual disturbances like seeing circles.
2. Weight Management: Challenges with weight regain and hormonal concerns.
3. Health Diagnosis: Existing conditions (Scheuermann's disease, AuDHD, sleep apnea) and new developments in vision and potential hormonal imbalances.

Explanation

Your symptoms are multifaceted, highlighting possible connections between hormonal issues, stress on your body from weight fluctuations, and neurological factors that might affect your vision. The visual disturbances—potentially linked to stress or hormonal changes—require careful observation. The fact that your eye exams indicate no structural issues is a positive sign but does not rule out processing disorders or conditions like Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH).

Next Steps

1. Track Symptoms: Keep a detailed diary of your visual disturbances, noting the timing, duration, and any potential triggers. This can help healthcare providers identify patterns or correlations with hormonal changes or activities.

2. Follow Up on MRI and Eye Reports: Ensure to discuss all findings from your MRI and eye tests in detail with your neuro-ophthalmologist and inquire specifically about the empty sella and any implications it may have regarding your symptoms.

3. Monitor Hormonal Levels: Since hormonal problems are suspected, consider requesting a comprehensive panel of hormonal tests. This may include thyroid function tests, sex hormones, and adrenal function to assess any imbalances.

4. Consult Specialists: Given the complexity of your condition, ensuring consultations with both your neuro-ophthalmologist and an endocrinologist may help to address both visual and hormonal concerns effectively.

5. Optimize Hydration and Moisture: Continue using eye drops as needed and consider discussing options for managing dry eyes and maintaining hydration, especially with your new medication (Ozempic), as some medications can potentially exacerbate dryness.

6. Lifestyle Adjustments: Maintain a balanced diet and gentle physical activity to support both weight management and overall well-being. Small, consistent changes can often provide better outcomes than drastic measures.

It's clear you are committed to addressing these challenges. Remember, your health journey is ongoing, and progress may take time. If further questions arise or you need clarification on any of these points, don’t hesitate to ask.