OT: Eye floaters and flashes of light

archangle wrote:

squid13 wrote:

archangle wrote:Strokes are in the brain, not the eye.

Well I beg to differ with you but her ophthalmologist and her retina doctor both called it a stroke. Here is some reading http://www.allaboutvision.com/condition ... usions.htm

Thanks, I never heard of blood blockage in the eye being called a "stroke" before. I hate it when they use the same term for an immediate life and death problem and a lesser problem.

I was talking about the immediate life threatening blood blockage or bleeding in the brain kind of "stroke." A cerebrovascular accident (CVA) that kills people or leaves them bedridden wearing diapers for the rest of their life. They're a common complication of apnea, and often show up as a sudden loss of vision.

Check out this warning signs page.

Comment,

archangel, you're full of nonsense. Don't you know that the eyes are part of the brain?

avi123 wrote:
archangel, you're full of nonsense. And the more you post the stupider you look. your knowledge in the medical field is a big zero.

And yours much better? Not by a long shot. He at least knows when he is wrong and is willing to learn, you don't and won't. Grow up.

Pugsy wrote:

I have an appointment with one of the best opthamologists in the state (maybe even the whole country) tomorrow morning.

I'm very glad you succeeded to have your appointment NOW, it looks like you know how to deal with the medical field . Good. It was really non sens what they wanted to do at your PCP office.

Take care and please keep us informed.

Rosie

Pugsy, glad you're having a visit with the ophthalmologist tomorrow. Hope it goes well. A few years ago I learned in a good way that an optometrist is a poor substitute for an ophthalmologist.

Here's the story: I'm diabetic and had not been checked for retinopathy in several years. For diabetics, retinopathy is usually caused by uncontrolled blood glucose levels. Retinopathy occurs when the veins that nourish the retina breakdown and rupture, often leading to partial or total blindness. At the time, my insurance did not cover routine eye examinations with an ophthalmologist, so I went to my local Sam's Club and paid for an optometrist to examine my eyes. She examined my eyes and claimed that I had the beginning of retinopathy. When I asked her what she saw that made her reach that conclusion, she told me that the small web of veins in the back of my retina looked like little sausages instead of a healthy vascular pattern. Of course I was disappointed in the news, but I decided to seek a second opinion from a reputable ophthalmologist.

When I went to the ophthalmologist's office, his tech looked at my eyes and gave me a thorough eye exam. She told me that I had 20/20 vision and had no signs of retinopathy. She suggested that I use OTC reading glasses, but that my vision was fine otherwise . I then waited for the ophthalmologist to give me his blessing. He checked my eyes very closely, and then told that I he sees a lot of pairs of eyes each week and that I had no sign of retinopathy. He was perplexed with the optometrist's diagnosis. Anyway, I was elated with the news that I didn't have retinopathy because I had expected the worst. The icing on the cake was that my insurance company ended up picking up the bill for the ophthalmologist.

Yes do see your dr as soon as you can. I have had the flashes of light
But mine start in the corner of my eyes and builds around until it almost
Closes in a circle after a while it shrinks and goes away. Some times I
Feel sick I did see an eye dr and he said that I am one of the lucky
People who have the migraine. Without the headache to go with the
Flashing lights so I just lay down in a dark room with my eyes closed
Until it goes away I hope everything turns out good for you

BCampbell wrote:Yes do see your dr as soon as you can. I have had the flashes of light
But mine start in the corner of my eyes and builds around until it almost
Closes in a circle after a while it shrinks and goes away. Some times I
Feel sick I did see an eye dr and he said that I am one of the lucky
People who have the migraine. Without the headache to go with the
Flashing lights so I just lay down in a dark room with my eyes closed
Until it goes away I hope everything turns out good for you

Interesting. Mine start as a pinpoint in the centre of my field of vision (very annoying) and grow into a circle which gets bigger until it passes out of my field of vision and then it starts over again. It is millions of times better the regular migraines I used to get. Sometimes I get a bit of a head ache or some disorientation for a while.

Okay, I am back from the exam.
Nothing of great excitement to report. Found out I also have a floater in my right eye which I don't remember ever noticing. Have more than one in the left eye.
Found out why I see the light flashes...the floater tugs on the retinal wall and triggers a little nerve response that is seen by the brain as a light flash or sort of spark. Happens with movement sometimes and we don't always see them especially in daylight. Mine are really very minor. I really don't see the floater either. Maybe rarely a little green dot but nothing like it was initially.

So nothing to do but live with the floaters. Over an unknown time frame the floaters can drop to the bottom of the eyeball and be more out of sight. No need to do anything unless something happens where there is a marked change in normal vision. Then of course get back to the doctor ASAP. Follow up in 2 years.

Thanks to everyone who voiced their concern. I know I had some people shaking their heads because I was so stubborn but I have to be me. I don't know any other way to go through life.

So, in review:

If you notice a sudden increase in the number of eye floaters, contact an eye specialist immediately — especially if you also see flashes of light or lose your peripheral vision. These can be symptoms of an emergency that requires prompt attention. -- ©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). -- http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/eye-f ... 01036.html and http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/eye-floaters/DS01036

(color added by me)

I am so relieved your eyes are OK.
Floaters are sometimes amusing.
I have come close to chasing one with a fly swatter.

jnk wrote:

(color added by me)

You won't get me to change the way I do things. I don't do "immediate" if I don't feel the need. I just don't. It is not in my nature. Perhaps from years of working in critical care situations where panic simply was not allowed.
If I had some vision disturbance (like peripheral loss) that would have prodded me to go packing to the ER. I didn't.

I hear you though.

BTW the doctor said that waiting in my situation was no big deal. It would have been more exciting if the vision is disturbed and then of course no waiting. I didn't get a butt chewing for waiting. None at all. I asked him because my husband was being more of a PITA about this than you all were. The floaters and light flashes (which were really very minor) aren't a huge deal unless there is loss/reduction of vision. Things to watch for are sudden changes or marked worsening of the symptoms. Since my symptoms progressively markedly improved after the first 10 minutes of the green seaweed there really wasn't any urgent need.

Glad to hear the good news pugsy

Pugsy wrote: . . . my husband was being more of a PITA about this than you all were. . . .

Then I guess we'll all just have to try harder next time.

Glad yer OK, Pugsy.

Pugsy, I've been reading this thread holding my breath and all I can say is PHEW! What a relief you are alright!!

Suz

Others were doing such a good job at being a collective PITA that I didn't pile on (also don't know word one about it). But REALLY glad to hear that you have nothing to be concerned about!

Pugsy wrote:BTW the doctor said that waiting in my situation was no big deal. It would have been more exciting if the vision is disturbed and then of course no waiting. I didn't get a butt chewing for waiting. None at all. I asked him because my husband was being more of a PITA about this than you all were. The floaters and light flashes (which were really very minor) aren't a huge deal unless there is loss/reduction of vision. Things to watch for are sudden changes or marked worsening of the symptoms. Since my symptoms progressively markedly improved after the first 10 minutes of the green seaweed there really wasn't any urgent need.

Sure glad there was nothing drastic happening. From what my doctors have said through many years of eye exams, floaters and flashes are not related.

Several years ago I experienced several flashes of light for the first time. Very pretty arc shaped purple light! I had had floaters for some time. I called and left a message at the LSU Eye Center in New Orleans where I had been getting my eyes examined for several years. Believe me, the flashes are no small matter. A doctor called me back within about an hour to check up on my situation. The first question he asked was if I was seeing a "black curtain." I wasn't. He explained the flashes occur when the vitreous gel in the eyeball pulls loose from the retina. This pulling process can, but usually does not, cause the retina to become detached. The real danger is if the flashes continue, and especially if they start occurring in close succession. He said if I started to see a "black curtain" to lie down immediately with my head tilted back as much as possible. This was to allow gravity to pull the retina toward the top of the eyeball. And then get to an ER ASAP, even via ambulance if necessary.

I have had very few flashes since then, but I am always mindful that they can occur again. So, keep getting regular eye exams from now on, and be aware, but don't fret. You may or may not experience flashes again.