HELP! Needed RE: RETINAL DETACHMENT or TEAR

[Dreambirdie]

Help! I have suddenly developed a bunch of big floaters and flashing in my right eye. I am afraid that I might have a tear in my retina or some retinal detachment. Does anyone here have any experience with this? I am so afraid of having to have surgery on my eye... YIKES!

I am going to the eye doctor today, but would like to be prepared for the worst. If you have personal experience, please share. THANKS.

 

[Carola]

Hi Dreambirdie,

I had something similar happen to me last year, and, although I was quite alarmed when it occurred, it turned out not to be serious: rather than a retinal detachment or tear, it was a vitreous detachment.

My symptoms were a sudden appearance of new floaters and flashing white lights, like little lightening bolts or a strobe light, at the edge of my visual field.

The doctor explained that as people age, the vitreous humor shrinks and may pull away from the retina. The retina itself isn't damaged.

He said that symptoms that would indicate a retinal problem would be if the visual field were to fill with "champagne bubble" floaters and the flashing lights were multicolored.

Even if you do have a retinal problem, by seeing to it within 24 hours you are likely to be just fine (based on what the doctor told me about how soon one needs to seek help).

 

[Dreambirdie]

Thanks Carola. Very grateful for your telling about your experience.

I do not see champagne bubbles or multicolored lights. Hallelujah for that. But I do see a lot of very weird spider like floaters in the upper right of my visual field and flashing in that upper right area too.... and the flashing happens even when my eye is closed. ?

I am going to see my eye doctor at noon. I am keeping my right eye mostly closed until then.
Fingers Crossssssed....

 

[health_seeker]

Hi Dreambirdie:

I just came across this thread right now and wanted to say that I really hope that the visit with the eye doctor went well and that you got good news. But if it didn't go well and you need someone to talk to, feel free to contact me on or off the forum. I have been blind since birth and have seen a lot of people deal with eye problems. I know how scary it can be.

Sending lots of good thoughts your way.

Thanks Carola. Very grateful for your telling about your experience.

I do not see champagne bubbles or multicolored lights. Hallelujah for that. But I do see a lot of very weird spider like floaters in the upper right of my visual field and flashing in that upper right area too.... and the flashing happens even when my eye is closed. ?

I am going to see my eye doctor at noon. I am keeping my right eye mostly closed until then.
Fingers Crossssssed....

 

[Sallysblooms]

My mom had laser surgery and has been fine for years!!!!

 

[BellasMom]

What did you find out when you went to your eye dr.? I started having White flashes & a large amount of new floaters in my left eye on Christmas eve. I had to wait until the 26th to get into the Optometrist. My vision was a bit cloudy along with some kind of black floating thread. My brother had had his retina's detach in both eyes the year before, so I knew I had to have it checked out. I had a tear, which the Retina specialist I was sent to lasered on the spot. That whole visit took 2 hours. I havent had really any pain, just a headache from worrying about what was going on, and from having my eye's dilated for 2 days in a row, and maybe the pressure from the eye exam. I had no restrictions except not to hit my head. My vision is still cloudy, with the floaters & the flashing lights, which aren't as bad, but still there. My Dr. said my floaters may lessen with time, but nothing was promised. I was just happy not to have had a detachment.

 

[Mya Symons]

I have a bunch of floaters. The opthamologist said it had something to do with the hardening of the gel in the back of the eye. He said that it usually happens to people who are older than I was. I was in my 20's at the time. But, he also said it was nothing to worry about. Mine developed suddenly while I was pregnant. Do you see flashes of light. That also has something to do with the hardening of the gel.