Episode Details
Back to EpisodesEye Problems in EDS with Dr. Eric Singman and cohost Dr. Dacre Knight (Ep 189)
Description
In this highly requested follow-up, Dr. Linda Bluestein and recurring co-host Dr. Dacre Knight welcome back neuro-ophthalmologist Dr. Eric Singman to dive deeper into the complex intersection of the eyes, the brain, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Dr. Singman shares a vital triage guide for navigating the world of eye specialists, helping listeners distinguish between routine vision needs and neuro-ophthalmic emergencies. The discussion explores how intracranial pressure fluctuations, cervical spine instability, and mast cell activation can all masquerade as primary eye problems, often leading patients down expensive and ineffective "snake oil" paths.
Whether you struggle with reading endurance, "glitter" vision, or the visual impacts of POTS, this episode provides a roadmap for finding credible care and understanding the "why" behind hypermobile vision symptoms.
Takeaways:
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The Specialty Triage: Learn how to determine if you need a retina specialist, a cornea expert, or a neuro-ophthalmologist for new or chronic symptoms.
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Reading Hygiene and the Neck: Discover why your "bad neck" might be the true culprit behind reading fatigue and eye strain.
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The Pressure Spectrum: Understand how individuals with EDS can experience both high and low intracranial pressure, and why a "normal" spinal tap might be misleading.
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The "Bandaid" of Prisms: Dr. Singman explains why prisms are a temporary measure and why prescribing them without a diagnosis can be dangerous.
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Spotting Snake Oil: Identify the red flags of vision therapies that lack clinical data and primarily target the patient's pocketbook.
Find the episode transcript here.
Want more Dr. Eric Singman?
https://www.umms.org/find-a-doctor/profiles/dr-eric-lowell-singman-md-1881654804
Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center?
For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.org
UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinic
UVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq
UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health
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https://x.com/knidac
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