I had a similar experience to yours. In the summer of 1996 (at age 54) I was
sitting in a parking lot waiting for my wife when a fellow several rows away
got out of his car. As he stood up his head disappeared. I immediately
surmised one of us had a problem!

My Ophthalmologist examined me and told me I had many old histo spots in
both my eyes and some looked suspicious. He arranged for me to see Dr. Dean
Burgess, also of the Barnes Retina Institute. Fortunately, I live in St.
Louis.

After an extensive examination (with photographs) he explained that, for
reasons unknown, my immune system had decided to attack some of the old
histo scares in my eyes. He then informed me that the blind spot was because
two of the active sites were on the edge of my retina in my left eye. The
next day he performed laser surgery.

I am most happy to announce that the surgery was a success leaving me with
only a slight “double vision” due to a laser scar pulling on the retina at
one site. I have since been diagnosed with Glaucoma, but repeated exams have
indicated no new activity at the histo sites. I think we can both be
thankful for the Barnes Retina Institute.

I am curious as to the cause of the problem after so many years. The last I
heard the reasons were still not well understood. Do you have any more
current information?

[Keith's note: I attempt to answer H.B.'s question in the "Questions and Answers" section of the main POHS page.]