David is a longtime patient of mine, and a very nice chap. Due to the pandemic, it had been a while since Dave’s last check-up, but he wasn’t worried and just felt things weren’t as sharp as they used to be, especially after celebrating couple more birthdays!
During the examination, I discovered some early signs of cataracts, which could definitely explain why his vision wasn’t quite as clear as his last visit. Thankfully, we had years of previous OCT scans to compare, and they helped me spot some subtle changes in his optic nerves.
I also checked his field of vision and found early signs of sensitivity loss in the outer edges of his peripheral vision.
I referred David straight to Mr Ressiniotis at the Midland Eye, who quickly ruled out glaucoma and made a further referral to neurology, as he also felt there could be issues with his pituitary gland.
Unfortunately, MRI scans at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital revealed a large pituitary tumour which was the cause of those visual changes, and also some health issues David was having.
The pituitary gland sits right at the base of your brain, and it’s very close to the optic nerves, which are like the highways for visual information from your eyes to your brain. When a tumour starts to grow, it can put pressure on these nerves. Imagine it like a traffic jam—everything gets a bit backed up! This pressure can lead to problems like blurred vision or even loss of your side vision.
One common issue is something called bitemporal hemianopia, which basically means you might lose vision on the outer edges of both eyes. It’s like trying to look at a picture but only seeing the middle part.
Also, the pituitary gland is like the body’s control centre for hormones, which regulate lots of processes in our bodies. If a tumour affects those hormones, it can also lead to several health problems.
Although far from ideal and a significant shock, a plan could now be made to treat the problem.
David underwent some complex endoscopic brain surgery to remove the tumour and relieve the pressure on his optic nerves. Thankfully, the operation was a resounding success! Thanks to the skill and care of the surgical team at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, David has made an amazing recovery.
Fast forward two years, and I’m pleased to report that David’s general health is excellent, and even those areas of vision loss have improved significantly. It’s a fantastic outcome!
While conditions like this are relatively rare, David’s experience serves as a great reminder: even if you think your vision is fine, it’s very important to see your optometrist for regular check-ups—at least every couple of years. You never know; it might just save your life!
