OT: Eye floaters and flashes of light

[poppi2]

I would heed the advice given here and get to an ER right now.

[pats]

I don't see the need for emergency visit at this time. Should things change dramatically then I will do what is necessary.

I don't think you are quite getting the message that several of us have been trying to communicate. A small retina tear is easily treated - mine was completely painless and only took about half an hour - and has no symptoms beyond what you already have. A dramatic change in symptoms might mean a small tear turning into a large retina tear or detachment, which is really bad news.

I assume your PCP has a night and weekend contact number. Please at least call that number immediately and describe your symptoms, if only to reassure friends who are worried about you. If we are making an unnecessary fuss, and there is no need for immediate action, they will tell you so, and you will only have wasted a few minutes on the phone.

Patricia

[Pugsy]

I would heed the advice given here and get to an ER right now.

Thanks, but that likely should have been done Thursday night.
I don't see the need right now. Symptoms are much less pronounced to the point of being barely noticeable now.

I am comfortable waiting. I worked in the medical field for over 30 years and I just don't get alarmed very much about things.
Heck, I didn't even look up the floaters and flashes of light thing until this morning.
I already knew what it was and that most of the time they are no big deal. Very small percentage of floaters involve retinal tear.

Now if I wake up blind in my eye tomorrow...you can tell me "I told you so".
This afternoon we are going to Joplin so I will go by one of those no wait eyeglasses place and get an exam from optometrist.
As I suspected...no one working here today locally.
So just shake your heads at my being stubborn but that is the best I can do.
But to ease your minds....I will go get ready to make the trip in just a few minutes. So won't be long..okay?

[avi123]

Go only to an experienced ophthalmologist, MD. If you have a detached retina they can't restore it back but only laser weld it as is.

http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals ... thalmology

The following Ophthalmologist who graduated from John Hopkins, is my choice in STL:

http://health.usnews.com/top-doctors/j- ... 12CC000965

[nanwilson]

Pugsy
i have a vitreous tear in my right eye, when it first happened my doc sent me to an opthomatogist as an emergency right away. Once there, he explained to me that a retina tear would not "float" or move, it would be stationary, not like a vitreous tear which does float. He said if I had a retina tear I was to get in to see him immediately and they would have to do surgery. i have had the vitreaous tear for just over a year and its still there, I have to keep going back to see him every so often to get it evaluated...as a matter of fact I go next month. A vitreous tear is not as serious as a retina tear, and it does not sound like you have that. But it is still serious, I would recommend that you get in to see someone asap. The eye dilation thing is no biggy, you just have to have someone drive you home or wear dark sun glasses. Your eyes are so widely dilated that any light getting into them is kinda blinding
Let us know how you do.
Cheers my friend
Nan

[kaiasgram]

Let us know what happens, dear Pugsy. My floaters have come on gradually as I've gotten older. What happened to you Thursday sounds acute, that is what concerns me and others. We love you and need you around here ( ), so take care of yourself! And do report back.

[Catnapper]

I feel compelled to add my vote that you seek treatment ASAP. I was told to seek help no matter what day or time.

Good luck.

Catnapper - Joanie

[brucifer]

I am comfortable waiting. I worked in the medical field for over 30 years and I just don't get alarmed very much about things.
Heck, I didn't even look up the floaters and flashes of light thing until this morning.
I already knew what it was and that most of the time they are no big deal. Very small percentage of floaters involve retinal tear.

Pugsy, it has often been said that people in the medical field make the worst patients. IMHO, 15% is not a "very small percentage," not when discussing a potentially serious health issue such as retinal damage.

However, I always respect adults who take ownership of their personal health decisions. That way they have no one to blame but themselves if they are not satisfied with the outcomes. Here's hoping your situation has a happy ending. Best of luck.

[rosacer]

I just read this thread. Pugsy I think you should have gone to have your eye examined ASAP. I have a friend whom almost loss his eye because of a retina detachment.

Now it is very late here I imagine you went to Joplin and I wish you was able to be examined and all is well. Please take care of yourself you are stressing us we want you well.

Rosie

[NateS]

Dear Pugsy,

I sent you this as a private message a few hours ago, but note that you have not picked it up, so I am going to let it all hang out here to add further emphasis to the seriousness and concern of others already expressed here:

I lost most of my vision in my left eye because I kept thinking this one-time painless white flash across my line of vision was just a floater.It never happened again. Two weeks later I thought for the first time to cover my right eye and was shocked to see a black curtain 2/3 down my left eye.

They did the retinal re-attachment but it was too late. Too many retinal cells had died from lack of blood supply and the retina went back on twisted and wrinkled, giving me Salvadore Dali vision in my left eye.

If I had gone to an eye specialist within 24 hours they would have saved my vision with a re-attachment.

GO IN TOMORROW WITHOUT FAIL!!!

Nate

PS After the first re-attachment surgery, two more surgical attempts were made to restore the retina sufficiently. It couldn't be done. The surgeries were a piece of cake - just wish they had worked. The vision loss in that eye, on the other hand, has been challenging. I alternate between a blocking lens and an eyepatch. All because I put it off and was sure it was just an age-related floater nuisance lasting a few seconds. And because I was stubborn. Everyone else I know who had a retinal detachment recalled excruciating pain - I had no pain when the flash occurred. I was dumb. Don't you be.

Fondly, Nate

[Marietjie]

Pugsy,
I didn't read everyone's reply BUT LISTEN TO ME - GO TO YOUR OPTHALMOLOGIST IMMEDIATELY ! ! !
That flash of light is a tear in the retina - if not fixed - you will have permanent damage.
I didn't know what the flash of light meant, now I've got permanent damage! You don't want that, believe me!
Hurry up!

[Elle]

I know nothing about this condition but I do trust your judgment and wish you well.

[Appalachian]

Wow, I've never heard of these things, floaters...flashes of light...detatched retena ??

Do these have something to do with sleep apnea or what ??? (Its just that I've never heard of this & am curious)

[avi123]

Wow, I've never heard of these things, floaters...flashes of light...detatched retena ??

Do these have something to do with sleep apnea or what ??? (Its just that I've never heard of this & am curious)

Comment,

As a truck driver you should know this case (look in it for "detached retina"):

http://www.iic.idaho.gov/decisions/2008 ... bailey.pdf

[archangle]

Floaters aren't that much of a concern in most cases.

Changes in the number of floater ARE a big concern.

By the way, if you ever temporarily lose vision in one or both eyes or in part of the visual field, there's a good chance it's a stroke. Google up on how to check for a stroke.