Visual Field Test Fail (Humphrey Visual Field Screener)

[stansted_dan]

Afternoon all,

I went for my Class 1 initial this week and after passing everything absolutely fine (including the normal eye exam, not a hint of anything wrong) I had to do the Humphrey Visual Field Test. On my right eye I got 100/100 as expected, however on my left eye I got 95/100, with 5 dots missing in a relatively small group. They then asked me to re-take the test, and second time round I only missed 2 dots but again they were roughly in the same area (bottom left corner very close to edge).

The physician said that he couldn't do any further testing himself and that I'd have to arrange to see a Retina Specialist, who only visits the CAA about once a month. He said that if the problem is something static, then seeing as it was right in the very corner of my vision he'd probably be able to sign me off for the Class 1. However, if the specialist decides that it is something progressive then obviously I won't be able to hold a Class 1.

As you can imagine, I'm pretty scared of what it could be, and am now in complete limbo waiting for when I might be able to see this specialist (looks like I could have to wait til mid-June for an appointment with him at the CAA - unless I go to his private clinic and pay vast sums of money that I don't have).

Now for you opinions...would the physician have invited me back if he didn't think I stood a chance at gaining a Class 1? I've done a bit of research and there are several nasty illnesses associated with blind spots on the retina, but I'd rather not think about these too much (I have a habit of scaring myself about these things and making my life in the meantime a misery) until I have an official answer. Despite maybe being rare, is it possible to be born with or naturally have a static blind spot on the retina, without it being associated with something more sinister? For what it's worth I have never noticed anything wrong with this eye, never felt anything unusual and having worn glasses for 11 years I've always attended my annual check-ups at the opticians where again, nothing unusual has been spotted.

I appreciate your help and sensitivity on this subject.

Dan

[AnthonyGA]

Now for you opinions...would the physician have invited me back if he didn't think I stood a chance at gaining a Class 1?

Since there are many benign, non-progressive conditions that can cause scotomata, there's no reason why he shouldn't invite you back. As long as it's nothing serious and it isn't progressive, he can certainly sign you off for a Class 1, and chances are excellent that it's nothing bad.

I've done a bit of research and there are several nasty illnesses associated with blind spots on the retina, but I'd rather not think about these too much (I have a habit of scaring myself about these things and making my life in the meantime a misery) until I have an official answer.

Sounds like you missed all the harmless conditions that can cause blind spots during your research. It could just be a floater near the retina, and that is typically harmless and not progressive. You won't know until an ophthalmologist looks at it carefully, but panic is premature.

One of my relatives had a spot on his macula that looks an awful lot like macular degeneration to his regular doctor, but careful evaluation by an ophthalmologist revealed that it wasn't that at all—probably just an anomaly that had been present for years, or even since birth.

Despite maybe being rare, is it possible to be born with or naturally have a static blind spot on the retina, without it being associated with something more sinister?

Yes, although it would have shown up in visual field tests before (unless this is the first time you've had such a test).

For example, everyone has a rather large blind spot in both eyes where the optic nerve enters the eye, but most people are totally unaware of it unless they do a specific experiment that reveals its presence. So you could have some anomaly for ages if you are never in a situation that makes it apparent.

For what it's worth I have never noticed anything wrong with this eye, never felt anything unusual and having worn glasses for 11 years I've always attended my annual check-ups at the opticians where again, nothing unusual has been spotted.

At least in the U.S., an optician is not an ophthalmologist; many people go only to opticians without realizing that they don't know how to look for everything. A good examination by an ophthalmologist is a wise idea now and again, and it sounds like it would be a good time for you to get such an exam right now.

If you haven't seen anything before, either there was nothing there, or it was something so non-progressive and minor that you just never noticed.

In any case, see an ophthalmologist; it's unlikely to be anything serious, but since serious things can be really serious, you should not delay. In the meantime, don't panic!

[stansted_dan]

Anthony, many thanks for your detailed and re-assuring response. I've been on the case with this all day...I remembered that the AME for my Class 2 that I took a couple of years ago was actually an ophthalmologist and respected eye surgeon so I dug out his contact details and spoke with him. To cut a long story short, he made a few phone calls and is able to see me in approx 10 days time (instead of mid-June for the CAA specialist at Gatwick!) and the CAA have said that they will accept his recommendation whatever it may be. He also mentioned on the phone the things you've said above, such that it is most likely something non-progressive that I was born with and will not affect my eye sight in any significant way.

He also accused me of 'cyber-phobia' and that I shouldn't be looking things up on the net....why is it that google only seems to bring up the worst possible conclusions (brain tumours, gluocoma, diabetes, etc)?! It seems that there is still a pretty good chance I have nothing to worry about, a much better chance than the original impression I was given anyway.

Thanks again, much appreciated. I might sleep better tonight :)