double vision
For dealing with MY Ptosis based, or caused, double vision, I initially found the closing of one eye gave me clear vision in the other eye. The problem with this option is having to keep the eye closed. This led to the wearing of glasses with a darkened lens to replace having the eye kept closed. While not a perfect solution … I am now aware that a single contact lens can be bought where the contact lens is darkened on the inside of the lens and a matching (to the color of my eyes) color on the outside.
This option is not cheap yet very attractive. Not to discount no need for special glasses (driving, reading, etc)
Has anyone gone down this path … trying the darkened contact lens?
Thanks
I have not heard of the darkened single contact, but that is something I might try on days when my double vision is otherwise uncontrollable. I had recently had a period that lasted several months and included a vacation with the family and lots of photos/selfies with me in an eye patch. I would have been happy to use the contact under my glasses, rather than looking like a pirate in all those photos.
That said, I can see that using a contact to restrict vision in one eye would have its own set of issues. The eye patch I use just slides over a lens of my glasses and can be easily moved on and off in a few seconds. Since my double vision some times starts unexpectedly on an otherwise "good" day, I can just slide on the patch on either lens my glasses and go on with my activities. It also makes it easy to move from left to right to help keep one eye from doing all the work, all the time. It can also be slid out of the way to test my vision after taking medication to see if it helped then either removed or put back, depending on how my eyesight was during the test. The eye patches are cheap, take up no room in a shirt pocket or any where else. Just a piece of fabric about the size of a credit card.
I am definitely going to look into the contacts though. No pun intended!Thanks for sharing ... after joining M-G.com has introduced me a wide variety of MG'rs. I too started with closing one eye and / or covering one eye, either of which led me to putting black electrition tape on the inside of one side (black paint should work yet I wasn't sure it I wanted it to be permanent) which led me to think the blackened contact (a prosthentic) and this method does work well and thus I am still not sure as to the total value of the prosthentic contact, which I will not know until I give it a try. I guess I see the use o a darkened eye (closed, or patch, or darkened lens) said eye is taken out of the way which brings up the concern for any damage I might create via non-use. Being that I have not found anyone actually having a darkened eye I must challenge its option enen thought some of the web sites I have found do reference a prosthentic lens as an answer for double vision. Be wel, and rolling with the MG 'punches'. 😀 I forgot to share: I am taking my time on the contact while waiting to see (pardon the pun) in my added Azathioprine is working on re-remission which I am allowing for 4-months or until May / June without any guarantee the remission will clear my double vvision again. I have also read (not yet confirmed) that a DMV department allows for single vision applicants so I have bought any eye chart for practice ... I am noting when my vision is not double which seems to be clear for a brief time after wearing my darkened glasses ... yet maybe all is just large moments of hope ... yet I do know the DMV does test single vision--one eye at a time--and my eyes are ok that way. Not to discount that I am not too far away from not driving so all is not the end of th world ... just speed bumps (pun intended). ... OK, that's all.
Thank you ... while I know I am not the only one with this challenge just hearing from someone else is conforting. What has surprised me the most is the lack of suggested options from the medical community--including my own doctors--and thus having to effectively start at the bottom of learning, and trying varried options.
@TurningStones Good question … thanks for asking.
Living with Diplopia (double vision and / or blurred vision)--for me–became easier after I found M-G.com and learning how lucky I am that MY MG is not worse; not yet! as well as having a couple of doctors (a Neurologist and a Optometrist) both of which demonstrated not only how little they knew about MG, past the general understanding, and how they seemed to not care to learn much more.
So now I am forced to learn, including the finding of REAL MG doctors, for learning but mostly for the reasons we go to doctors: They have the drugs.
I was first diagnosed with MG about 12-years ago by a REAL MG doctor who (then) knew what he was doing; a doctor that I am planning to change insurance companies so I can go to him again … which is a key option for all of us: if you do not like, or trust, your doctor you can always find someone else. No matter how many changes you need to make.
A challenge I still have (at least with MG) is when my MG came out of remission this time, after 12-years, the first symptom was a “falling head” (not the medical term).which, for me, only falls forward when I want to do something like shopping, or even putting gas in my car. Doing two or more things at the same time my energy is shattered as I work on keeping my head up so I can do the other elements. Lucky me, that driving is not an issue.although walking can be. Soooooo, double vision added to my head falling is a real treat!!! (note three exclamations) More times than not it turns my balance upside down, and for someone who spent most of life in sports losing my balance is not fair; although I am able to catch myself, yet just the extra care (dealing with minor vertigo) is not only more effort and work, it is something that was never an issue.
With the learning (reading stories on M-G.com) about others, and how easy it is to change doctors, not relying on doctors for what I can research is very relieving plus it sets up a different relationship with a doctor when I can call their bluff.
The Internet is also a pivotal tool in feeling better about yourself via research.
When you turn 70 the (CA) DMV requires you take the written test, AND VISION TEST) every 5-years so with my second renewal coming up in 1-year I was really stressed; to be polite. So, you can imagine my relief … by going to the DMV site and reading their posture on vision requirements. They do have an allowance for single vision (one eye) assuming one meets their requirements and thus my stress level dropped by 80% … remembering nothing is over until it is over and life changes which leaves me wondering how I will do. Afterall, I am still working on a remission plan which should eliminate my double vision … or, if not remission (or remission is not enough) my plan is not to appear to have single vision by either a contact or ??? … I have yet to figure this out. I know I can pass the test by closing one eye or darkening one lens yet one never knows how the DMV person is going to be. ):
Wow, I have written a pamphlet that I can publish on Amazon. 🙂
I hope the above helps. I might be able to go on and will add if something seems important, yet I think I hear you’re snoring which is understandable. My step-mother was a highly successful law office manager and infused it is better to put too many words into a sentence for clarity vs. too little which only leads to confusion (and legal issues).
BTW: I do not have double vision when wearing glasses with one side darkened. A minor inconvenience, especially when driving yet taking my time lets it all work out.
I was in the same boat when my symptoms first appeared as diplopia. I would notice it worse when driving and also had to close an eye to see. It reduced it from what seemed like triple vision to double. Best of luck that you can make this option feasible!
- Jodi, Team MemberI am still gathering info yet this link helps https://www.youreyesinfocus.com/contacts-for-double-vision
