Sorry for the length, but here's a full chronology of things:
18 months ago--lightheaded dizziness (not vertigo) where my eyes did not seem to focus right away occurred when I lay down to sleep or got up from a lying position. This occurred for about two weeks.
1 year ago--the same thing for about two weeks
5 months ago--Went for an MRI due to memory issues combined with the two incidents; results came back with a 1.5 cm area of enhancement that radiologist believes is a veinous angioma that would not affect memory or balance.
3 months ago--After being at work for five minutes and trying to scan a document very quickly, one eye involuntarily turned inwards causing double vision for about two minutes. I felt off-balance for a few days afterwards. So,...
2 months ago--had another MRI--possibly a new area of enhancement but it may have just been missed previously because the earlier MRI pictures were not as extensive
MRA and carotid artery doppler--all came out normal.
Echocardiogram--seemed normal
ENT--all normal (other than a preexisting deviated septum that has led to a lot of sinus pressure)
Blood tests (lots)--all normal
Eye exams--all normal (as corrected), but eyes are not aligned.
One month ago--Neuro-ophthalmologist said my problem is exophoria and that I'll need bifocals soon (I'm 40). He said summarily that was my problem. I agree that my eyes definitely do not seem to be working together as they have in the past.
Several times in the past few months, including currently: (1) It is hard to focus on some things. Example: My overall view of an object is messed up/cross-eyed/non-binocular if one eye has an unobstructed view of the object while the other eye's view of the same object is blocked because of something that is both near and in front of the object. (2) My balance feels off; I have to take shorter steps and move more slowly than in the past. (3) It bothers my vision less for me to look down and walk than to look ahead (in the distance) and walk. (4) When I read a book or from a computer about two feet away, I catch myself closing one eye or another at times.
If you've bothered to read this whole mess, the bottom line question: COULD THIS ALL BE FROM EXOPHORIA?
Thanks for your thoughts. I'm thinking of talking with my primary care physician again or seeing another neurologist. The problems seem ongoing and if possible, I'd like to find out if this is something that will get better, worse, or stay the same.
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