More Prayer Please...

Hi Everyone- I've had a spot in my line of vision since Thursday and went to the eye doctor today. She thinks I have something called Histoplamosis-a disease caused by a fungus that is typically found in places where birds and bats are abundant. The fungus grows in soil contaminated with the animals' droppings. It produces spores that become airborne and are breathed in through the mouth and nose.

The body usually successfully fights histoplasmosis but in a few people it leads to more serious disease including an infection of the eye called presumed ocular histoplasmosis (POHS). Many years after the initial infection, a person begins to notice peculiar changes in his or her vision. POHS is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans ages 20 to 40. Quick treatment by a retinal specialist is important for preserving vision.

The fungus may cause small areas of inflammation and scarring of the retina. These are called “histo spots” and may be found in both eyes. These scars form during childhood or early adulthood and tend to be asymptomatic. Their affect on vision depends on the location of the scars. Scarring in the peripheral area of the retina may have little or no impact on vision, while a central scar affecting the macula may cause a prominent blind spot. Most people with histo spots in the retina are unaware of them unless the central vision is affected. Studies indicate that only about 5% of those with histo spots are at risk of losing vision.

Scientists believe that the spores of the fungus pass from the lungs to the retina where they lodge in a region of capillaries (small blood vessels) called the choroid. An old histo spot that formed during childhood can become active in adulthood. A scar becomes active when a net of abnormal blood vessels grow around the old histo spot and causes swelling of the retina. These new changes around the old scar result in decreased vision or distortion. POHS develops when these capillaries sprout shoots and form a lesion called choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

There are treatments for CNV but, when untreated, scar tissue can form in the retina and interfere with vision—especially central vision—and the sprouted vessels can leak fluid and blood. The sensitive macula, which is responsible for sharp central vision, is most affected. POHS resembles age-related macular degeneration but is distinguished by a characteristic referred to as histo spots.

OK-that's the textbook explanation. Anyway, I'm seeing kind of blurry and it's pretty scary. The testing alone is almost 1000$ and that's pretty scary because of Josh not having a job right now. I have an appointment with a Retina Specialist on August 11. POHS is not curable but is usually treatable with Laser PhotoCoagulation-another long explanation. If you're curious you can read about treatment at http://www.bmgnri.com/eyehealth/PO05.htm

I won't bore you with all of the details. Just pray that this is resolved and we can pay for it and that I don't lose my vision:( More later... Love Anna