Eye Won't Open - 3rd Cranial Nerve Damaged

dublad23

Hi Guys!

I wasn't sure where to post this so I hope it is ok to post here. I am really just hoping that someone might have some experience of it or know anything that might re-assure me or share an experience / story.

About 3 weeks ago I started getting headaches out of the blue which got gradually worse. 2 weeks ago went to A and E and after a CT scan was taken to Beaumont.

That Saturday (13 Days ago) my left eye completely closed and I have been told that my third Cranial Nerve is damaged. This I think is the nerve that allows the simple function to open my left eye.

The Dr's are all a little "it may heal but will be a long time" but the optician who I know is not an eye Dr was more along the lines of "they generally don't heal"

The sight is still there if I hold the eye open.

The reason it happened was due to an aneurism which has since blocked itself and is trapping my optical nerve. That is the Dr diagnosis although nothing definite showed in any of the scans I had and it would be too risky to operate to find out for 100%.

I just want to know if anyone has experienced this as it is getting me a little depressed and I don't even want to go out. I feel really self conscious and wonder how it is going to affect my life. I know people will always stare and wonder etc. Also in work I wonder if I can work with Computers with the one eye for 8 hours a day.

Thanks in advance guys

Lil' Smiler

Hey Dublad,


Very sorry to hear about your problem, I really hope it gets better.

I've actually started learning about the Cranial nerves in college, due to have more lectures this weekend on them.

Yes it can happen that a lesion on the nerve can affect the eyes but sometimes ...and most times it is only temporary paralysis. Take it something like Bell Palsy which is a lesion of the 7th Cranial Nerve, the patient is left with a sometimes dropped eye or side of the mouth which generally fixes itself over time. I remember being in school with a girl who had it and it fixed itself in about 4-5 months.

I suppose the key is to be patient and don't give up hope!

As to going out.. How about you dress it up?? Stick an old eye patch over it, say you've just had laser surgery or get a bit of make up and give youself black eye - just suggestions!!

Really, try to keep your chin up! I know it's hard and can't exactly relate to what you're going to but you really don't want to have to be worried about people staring and maybe becoming clinically depressed with your issues with your eye too!!

There's always someone worse off and it doesn't change the person you are!! People will like you for you and not because of your eye!

If you like I can try to ask my lecturer about it and see if anything can be done?

dublad23

Hi

Thanks for your reply. Any help would be great and if you don't mind asking your lecturer then I would be so grateful.

It is the third craniel nerve and I have tried researching it but not much luck there

Ah I was in Hospital for about 12 days so I seen a lot of people worse, especially with head injuries and tumors and the like.

Everyone is suggesting a Gabrielle like patch I also have thought of taping my eye up lol - Oddest things come to you when you are bored!

I know it's a case of wait and see probably but I guess I wonder if there is things I can do, physio, excercise, diet to heal the nerve.

Stressing out more so really and I know a lot is in my head.

Thanks again for your response - I didn't expect anyone to have experience of it really - just threw it out and hoped!

Lil' Smiler

I;m a holistic therapist training now in Physical Therapy, I can tell you now that stressing really won't help with an injury/ condition, so just take everyday as it comes!!

I'm presuming that Physical Therapy can help, that the nerve can be manipulated to help the deviated nerve. i'll ask tomorrow or whatever day i have the lecture!!

I suppose probably trying to open the eye and massage to the facial muscles could help, to the Temporalis (temple area), Orbicularis Oculi (around the eye), Corrugator (just above the eyebrow)... google image it!!

N8

seek out a good cranial osteopath - not sure how much it will help but worth asking their opinion

DrIndy

N8 wrote: »

seek out a good cranial osteopath - not sure how much it will help but worth asking their opinion

that is the biggest load of rubbish I have ever heard.

Likewise physical therapy will do nothing for the injury unfortunately.

If surgical decompression is possible, then partial or even full restoration is possible - you should be guided by the neurosurgeons in beaumont as they really know their stuff.

dublad23

Thanks Guys...

I am not sure what a Cranial Osteopath does...

@ DrInd - Do Nerves generally heal - is there any homeopathy / alternatives I can use.

I probably should have been more clearer.

I started getting Headaches this day 3 weeks ago now and was admitted to A and E on the Wednesday where I had my CT Scan done. I was originally told they thought it was a meningioma at the Hospital but they had sent my scans over to another hospital where the Neuro Team there requested that I be transferred there straight away as their conclusion was that it was an aneurism.

When I got there I had a Lumber Puncture which showed clear which cast doubt over the aneurism. I then had another CT scan the following morning and also a MRI. Nothing conclusive showed up here either although they did speak about the meningioma again.

That Saturday - 2 weeks ago today - my left eye just closed and the pupil was not responding and had increased in size compared to the right eye.

On the Monday I had an angiogram. This resulted in them not finding one of the blood vessels which I guess would normally appear. This resulted in them telling me that nature had taken it's course and that the aneurism had probably blocked itself - they said if they had seen it sooner they would have put a balloon in to block the aneurism.

They went on to say that the Optic Nerve was probably trapped and the third cranial nerve may be damaged and it is a case of wait and see what happens. I was on steroids but there was no change so I have been taken of them now.

I am waiting to see the Eye Dr again but I do fear that I have complete Third Nerve Palsy. The eye does open though a very slight bit and I still have vison in it although this can be doubled at times.

I know it is a case of getting used to it and I am trying and I know in everyday life people always look at others for no reason but paranoia does set in a little.

KingKenny7

Sorry to hear that lad, hope it gets well......

I;m not sure if you have vhi/buba, but there is a very very Doc in the Bons, Dr Smith and I'd suggest going to see him. He's a friend of the family and has worked wonders with anyone who had issues in the family, not as bad as yours but worth a try.

dublad23 wrote: »

Thanks Guys...

I am not sure what a Cranial Osteopath does...

@ DrInd - Do Nerves generally heal - is there any homeopathy / alternatives I can use.

I probably should have been more clearer.

I started getting Headaches this day 3 weeks ago now and was admitted to A and E on the Wednesday where I had my CT Scan done. I was originally told they thought it was a meningioma at the Hospital but they had sent my scans over to another hospital where the Neuro Team there requested that I be transferred there straight away as their conclusion was that it was an aneurism.

When I got there I had a Lumber Puncture which showed clear which cast doubt over the aneurism. I then had another CT scan the following morning and also a MRI. Nothing conclusive showed up here either although they did speak about the meningioma again.

That Saturday - 2 weeks ago today - my left eye just closed and the pupil was not responding and had increased in size compared to the right eye.

On the Monday I had an angiogram. This resulted in them not finding one of the blood vessels which I guess would normally appear. This resulted in them telling me that nature had taken it's course and that the aneurism had probably blocked itself - they said if they had seen it sooner they would have put a balloon in to block the aneurism.

They went on to say that the Optic Nerve was probably trapped and the third cranial nerve may be damaged and it is a case of wait and see what happens. I was on steroids but there was no change so I have been taken of them now.

I am waiting to see the Eye Dr again but I do fear that I have complete Third Nerve Palsy. The eye does open though a very slight bit and I still have vison in it although this can be doubled at times.

I know it is a case of getting used to it and I am trying and I know in everyday life people always look at others for no reason but paranoia does set in a little.

N8

dublad23 wrote: »

The reason it happened was due to an aneurism which has since blocked itself and is trapping my optical nerve. That is the Dr diagnosis although nothing definite showed in any of the scans I had

hmmm sounds like a guess i.e. no diagnosis.

dublad23 wrote: »

On the Monday I had an angiogram. This resulted in them not finding one of the blood vessels which I guess would normally appear. This resulted in them telling me that nature had taken it's course and that the aneurism had probably blocked itself - they said if they had seen it sooner they would have put a balloon in to block the aneurism.

They went on to say that the Optic Nerve was probably trapped and the third cranial nerve may be damaged and it is a case of wait and see what happens.

Nature taken its course? Probably? May?

My question would be why if as with berry aneurysms that are there for years before coming to attention has this one suddenly done so? If it is blocked what with? Usually this would be the route of anti coagulants. Steroids are generally used for inflammation (however no –one really understands how they work exactly). Sounds like a dead end there medically.

Yes nerves do heal/recover but it generally takes a lot of time and effort through rehabilitation and focused use/training. I am sure it is the same for the optical nerve.

Dr Indy do you know what a cranial osteopath is, does or is capable of?

See a cranial osteopath dublad23. And no I am not one but have seen one. There is a clinic in Walkinstown I think. If you wish to find out what they do I suggest you ask them and not a medical doctor. Respectfully although well versed in medicine they are generally uneducated in any alternatives, ignorant of complementary therapies and dismissive of anything that challenges their opinion.

I had quite a severe head injury once that left my head looking distorted, my face actually looked asymmetrical after the accident and I had a squint where the left six cranial nerve stopped functioning and I couldn’t turn my left eye inward. CTs, MRIs and EEGs were all clear. It did recover somewhat before I left hospital. I was recommended to a cranial osteopath and when I put it to colleagues and friends, most were dismissive. I gave it a try (I had nothing to lose). My head regained its natural shape my face returned to not only what it was before but well more symmetrical and the full range of movement returned to my eye. I also saw a very good chiropractor and made significant changes to my diet. I am in much better shape now than I was before the injury (my posture, health and day to day being) and I still attend both on a regular enough basis

Good Luck dublad23

Tzetze

I did a search for Bell's Palsy (I'm currently experiencing it for the 2nd time in 11 years) and came across this thread.

OP, I would stronly urge you not to tape your eye open. My Bell's palsy (7th cranial nerve) means that I can't close my right eye (or operate anything on the right side of my face).

If I don't keep my right eye taped shut, the tear-duct becomes overactive (obviously the eye is drying out from no blinking ability), and looking at tv/computer screens leads to an intense headache on the right side, which feels as if it's along the optic nerve (from behind the right eye to the back of my head on the right side.

I realise that your condition is not the same as mine (3rd nerve vs. 7th nerve), but I just wanted to warn you of the danger of keeping one eye perma-open. (even if you did mention it as a joke)

Hope that's of some help.

dublad23

Hi Again!

Well I pretty much have been back in Hospital for the last 2 weeks and after the same scans etc I had surgery.

They were able to remove some of a clot that had developed but they are still not sure whether the eye will re-open and have said it could take up to a year.

Do Clots just vanish generally after time then or will it always be there?

I am still getting headaches but I presume that is from the surgery mainly.

The diagnosis with regards the eye is 3rd nerve palsy.

If anyone has any further knowledge or info I would be grateful again!

Thanks to all who have responded since also.

DrIndy

peripheral nerves do recover and regenerate. However, this is not predictable and it does take months, up to a year before you can see any benefit.

Look on the bright side and be optimistic and trust the surgeons. You may have good recovery, but it is very early days yet and nerve regeneration can be a bit unpredictable unfortunately.

megood

Hi there, I google one of my husband symptoms and came across your post. I would love to know if your eye ever re opened? If so was it thru just waiting or medical intervention?

My husband's left eye closed up about 3 weeks ago and he is suffering in all the ways you described. He has had MRI, CT and Xray's everywhere and they've all come back clear. Dr's have said 'you are a mystery, we don't know what's wrong we can only keep illiminating possibilities'...not much help when you can't drive anymore and worry about if you'll be able to continue in your work. Also they've said as we don't know what's caused it we don't know if your other eye will suddenly close too!!!!

Unlike you my husband has been told he hasn't had an aneurism, tumor, cancer, stroke, bell's palsy, mysthernea gravis....the list of 'no's' goes on....

Really keen to hear if you've recovered.

antiquesgerry

Hi!
I just received the information on how to get up with you. I am actualoly typing in the blind now because both of my eyes are cloosed. I have been like this going on 3 years. I was diagnosed first with what they called Blepharospasm, was treated with shots in my eyelids for a year with BOTOX. I was also ruled out a condition called myasthenia gravis. Then they told me it's all in my mind. That's been since the end of October when I quit going to a Psychologist to prove that it was not in my mind, which I went to her for 4 months. She knows it's not. They don't know what the problem is. I had reactions from the Botox, and I believe I still am. Was told by last neurologist to stay away from Botox. Believe me, I will. I am 56 years old, white female, I live in a little town in North Carolina called Rockingham. I have been trying to sale some stuff on eBay to help me financially because I can no longer work, drive, etc. I have to hold an eye open to see. I sometimes have a little peep eye on the left but I can only see the floor a little. Have to be lead around like a puppu. I am so self concious, depresssed, and don't know what to do. You was wondering about working with 1 eye closed. You will have problems. I would like to give you my email address and talk to you sometimes. I have also talked to some people that have family members or know of other people with the same problem and they haven't gotten the h elp they need either. Some are still taking Botox shots hoping it may eventually help. Got lots to tell you but email me sometimes and we'll talk. GOD BLESS YOU in every way and ME TOO. Hope to hear from you soon. I usually open my left eye with my fingers to check my spelling but I'm not going to do it this time because 've typed so much so I hope I didn't do too bad. By the way, my name is GERRY. EMAIL IS

tbh

sorry Gerry, email addrs not allowed. Use PM.

Jmorg

megood wrote: »

Hi there, I google one of my husband symptoms and came across your post. I would love to know if your eye ever re opened? If so was it thru just waiting or medical intervention?

My husband's left eye closed up about 3 weeks ago and he is suffering in all the ways you described. He has had MRI, CT and Xray's everywhere and they've all come back clear. Dr's have said 'you are a mystery, we don't know what's wrong we can only keep illiminating possibilities'...not much help when you can't drive anymore and worry about if you'll be able to continue in your work. Also they've said as we don't know what's caused it we don't know if your other eye will suddenly close too!!!!

Unlike you my husband has been told he hasn't had an aneurism, tumor, cancer, stroke, bell's palsy, mysthernea gravis....the list of 'no's' goes on....

Really keen to hear if you've recovered.

I know it's a long shot since you posted this over a year ago but I am wondering if your husband was ever able to get any answers for his eye problem. 10 days ago my 13 yr old son woke up unable to open his left eye... It still will not open we've seen several Drs. Has numerous lab tests and multiple MRI's done but we still have no answers it sounds almost exactly like what you and your husband went through. One neurologist even patted me on the back and said " this is such a good learning experience for us doctors" not very comforting to a 13 year old boy who can't open his eye at all


Thanks