Eyes, blurring, and "color blind hotspots"

[Corinne - GOC]

This is something that has been building up over a few weeks, I need to go see the doctor, but as she won't likely have dealt with much in the way of lampworkers, I thought I'd ask here too.

I have bad eyes, I mean really bad eyes. Have had a retinal detatchment, and both lenses replaced due to cataracts and complications from the detatchment. (only 36 and I wear bifocals beyond most 80 year olds!)

So I use Mikes Aura 92's in the visor shield, I got them in around 2002 or so ... could the coating be wearing out or aging?

After I torch for awhile, nothing crazy, just melting a little glass, roll in frit and round off. I can't see very well in my center of vision (like I've stared at a bright light/bulb/sun) and when I pull the bead out to see the progression of colors, I can't focus on it and it is like my color vision is gone ... it comes back over the course of an hour or so off of the torch.

This is a relatively new thing (maybe a few weeks) and it is kind of freaking me out ... are their better lenses to get? should I replace the lenses I am using or should I be running screaming to the Doctors ...?

I realize non of you are "professional" I am just looking to see if others have had this problem or anything else I can say to the Doctor to help her understand what is happening....

[BillBrach]

No, this is NOT normal as I never heard of the symptoms before !! I would discontinue lampworking UNTIL you have consulted a professional.

As an aside, if the lenses are plastic, they might be worn out. If they are glass, then I'd suspect they are OK.

[Dale M.]

I have to agree with Bill, any sudden changes in vision should be looked at by a professional....... By the symptoms you describe something is going on and its not normal vision deterioration... Seek professional care!

Dale

[MikeAurelius]

AUR-92 does not wear out, fade, or anything. The materials that do the filtering are mineral based and part of the glass.

I suspect that given your past medical history, you are continuing with some additional or new problems. I strongly recommend that you head for your ophthamalogist as soon as you possibly can.

One additional note: there is nothing hazardous to the eye when working soft glass - no harmful radiation, no visible light hazards.


This is something that has been building up over a few weeks, I need to go see the doctor, but as she won't likely have dealt with much in the way of lampworkers, I thought I'd ask here too.

I have bad eyes, I mean really bad eyes. Have had a retinal detatchment, and both lenses replaced due to cataracts and complications from the detatchment. (only 36 and I wear bifocals beyond most 80 year olds!)

So I use Mikes Aura 92's in the visor shield, I got them in around 2002 or so ... could the coating be wearing out or aging?

After I torch for awhile, nothing crazy, just melting a little glass, roll in frit and round off. I can't see very well in my center of vision (like I've stared at a bright light/bulb/sun) and when I pull the bead out to see the progression of colors, I can't focus on it and it is like my color vision is gone ... it comes back over the course of an hour or so off of the torch.

This is a relatively new thing (maybe a few weeks) and it is kind of freaking me out ... are their better lenses to get? should I replace the lenses I am using or should I be running screaming to the Doctors ...?

I realize non of you are "professional" I am just looking to see if others have had this problem or anything else I can say to the Doctor to help her understand what is happening....

[Corinne - GOC]

Thank-you all for your responses, you are the three I was hoping would see my note!

I have just come back from the doctor's and she is sending me on to a retinal specialist (as soon as possible, but not emergency yet) I was also apparently having some "waves" in my field of vision that she wanted them to look at. I also talked to the pharmasist and I am on two drugs that can screw with your vision ... Provigial and Trileptal, the Provigial is new within the last two months, so that is also a prime candidate.

I am glad to hear that my auralenses aren't "wearing out" or anything ... I'll just have to suspend my torchwork until I find out a little more....


Again thanks for your feedback

[MikeAurelius]

You are very welcome Corinne - best wishes, good luck, and a speedy return to the torch!