VANITY: medical help requested

[fzx12345]

I took a series of photos a few days ago, and noticed that in one picture, instead of a red-eye effect, the eye appeared yellowish-white. All other photos were normal. To reassure myself, I took more today, but were also normal. I had been to the eye doctor about two months ago (I wear glasses), and no abnormality was detected. I am concerned because I am reading several alarming websites that say that a yellow eye effect, called "Leukocoria", is a sign of serious eye disease, including cancer. I don't mean to sound like a hypochondriac, but I'm trying to be more careful with my health (I had a large benign endocrine tumor removed last year after years of ignoring warning signs).

So, does anybody have any experience with this? Should I be worried if this just popped up in one photo? It seems that in the cases when this was caused by disease, the abnormality shows up consistently, and is almost always in children younger than five. It's probable that I just got "lucky" enough to get a photo of the optic nerve (which produces an effect that can be identical to the abnormality). What do you think? Pictures will follow.

[wastedyears]

I had a test done when I went to my local optometrist; they take a picture of the retina I think it was.

Also, where was the endocrine tumor located? And what were the hormone levels for that gland?

[NRA2BFree]

I wouldn’t worry about it unless you start having problems. It could have been the lighting on the picture.

[fzx12345]

The photo in question.

Normal red eye, taken immediately after.

Normal red eye, taken immediately before.

Reference image for Leukocoria.

[piytar]

NOT AN EXPERT, and the yellow is most likely a digital artifact and/or lighting issue. However, it could be a focus issue picking up (actually concentrating) a slight yellowing of the scalera. That would be a sign of a liver issue. A simple blood test to check liver function would tell for sure. DON’T PANIC, this is a LONG shot.

[txroadkill]

I'm no doctor...but I do take a lot of pictures and I've seen some strange stuff show up on digital pictures... I wouldn't stress over it right now because there is nothing that you can do about it tonight. I would drink a glass of wine (or in my case a beer or two or 4), get some sleep and make an appointment with your eye doctor tomorrow.

[neverdem]

I am concerned because I am reading several alarming websites that say that a yellow eye effect, called "Leukocoria", is a sign of serious eye disease, including cancer.

Don't believe everything about medicine on the internet. Here's a good site for reference.

http://medlineplus.gov/

[LukeL]

Was the tumor a pheochromocytoma? In any case if you do have this eye condition it could be from any number of things. Remembera cough can mean lung cancer or you just got some dust in your throat.

[Pontiac]

Any comments?

[piytar]

IGNORE MY LAST POST. Not the kind of artifact that I thought you meant.

Do note that the axis of your eye’s lens and the camera’s lens must be aligned for this general type of effect. They illumination from the flash is imaging through the two lenses off the back of your retina. Also note that the flash itself is yellow - that could be the source of the yellow. (The image of the flash, which is the bright point, is not in the center of your pupil because it is not exactly on the same axis.)

If you are worried, get it checked out, but I have several pictures like this, some from over 20 years ago, and I’m obviously still here.

[Diver Dave]

I’m guessing lighting is an issue.

Try taking more pix outside in natural sunlight w/o flash and see what happens.

Not a dr, nor do I play one, but you might want to schedule another exam. print the pix and take ‘em with you to the doc

[fzx12345]

Thanks for your help all of you—I’ll bring in the three photos to the eye dr. on the way to the office tomorrow. I’m pretty sure it’s nothing, but, well, my vision might be at stake. Once again, thank you.

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

It is very important that you see a board-licensed Ophthalmologist [Ophthalmic Surgeon].

You should NOT see an "Optometrist" about this problem - Optometrists are NOT medical doctors.

It is of vital importance that you get to see the smartest, most competent medical doctor, with the most experience, and the best training, that you can find in your area, and that will almost certainly be an Ophthalmologist [Ophthalmic Surgeon].

And be very up-front with him [or her] about your condition: Ask him [or her] whether he [or she] has much experience with Leukocoria, and, if not, whether he [or she] can recommend the best person in the area for dealing with Leukocoria. Some Ophthalmologists may be so busy doing 10 or more Lasik surgeries every day [5 days a week, 50 weeks a year] that they haven't seen an oncological case in years - so search for an "Oncological Ophthalmologist" or an "Ophthalmological Oncologist".

Do not worry about whether your insurance will pay for it beforehand - just schedule the visit, and if worst comes to worst, just pay the couple of hundred dollars out of pocket.

To sum up:

1) Do not go to an optometrist.

2) Do not go to a doctor who is a "general practitioner" [especially, do not waste any time going to your family doctor].

3) Go straight to the best specialist you can find in your area [Ophthalmologist/Ophthalmic Surgeon with a subspecialty in Oncology, or vice-versa for an Oncologist].

4) Don't worry about the insurance - that can all be handled later.

Especially: If your insurance company tries to tell you that you have to go to a general practitioner first, THEN JUST IGNORE THEM AND GO STRAIGHT TO THE SPECIALIST.

[piytar]

I cannot emphasize enough the accuracy and importance of the information in the post to which I am replying. Most people do not know how vast the gulf is between optometrists (NOT MDs) and opthalmologists (MDs).

PS “Ophthalmological Oncologist”? Wow, talk about a specialized field! Gee, think anyone under nationalized healthcare would take the time, effort, and expense to become one of those?!

[Kirkwood]

You can relax. It means nothing. The yellowish reflection came directly off of your optic nerve head because that eye’s macula was not oriented directly at the camera lens.

[Kirkwood]

Please stop overreacting to a normal phenomenon that you don’t understand. By the way, optometrists understand the optics of the eye far better than most ophthalmologists.

[fzx12345]

Now this is ONE photo out of DOZENS that are normal. I have not had any vision loss.

Here's another taken that shows the red eye.

I'd post more that I took today, but the battery in the camera died. I'll recharge overnight.

[sinanju]

You should really be worrying about the alien visage peeping over your windowsill in the background...

[ccmay]

Looks to me like you need to catch up on your sleep, or put down the bong.

-ccm

[Ronin]

Stop being a cheapo looking for medical advice online and go see a doctor.