There is a recent post about joint pain/damage, self treatment, and oh yeah, hollowing. I didn't want to hijack that, but did want to pass on a warning. Last Tuesday night, I thought someone was turning around on our street because I saw a flash of light out the side of my eye. Maybe saw a couple, but didn't pay attention. Next afternoon, saw a couple floaters in my eye. Didn't pay attention. Next morning, my vision looks like the inside of a snow globe, but instead of snow, it's clear bubbles. By that early afternoon, I was having laser surgery in my eye. I had a horseshoe shaped retinal tear going on. Untreated, and I could have a retinal detachment and possible loss of sight. Scared me to the core! So the word of caution, see any flashes out the corners of your eye, and especially if you are getting close to 60 years old, haul butt to the eye doctor! I have good vision in it, but a bunch of debris floating around. Maybe that settles out, maybe not.
-
January Turning Challenge: Thin-Stemmed Something! (click here for details) -
Conversations are now Direct Messages (click here for details) -
Congratulations to Scott Gordon for "Orb Ligneus" being selected as Turning of the Week for January 20, 2025 (click here for details) -
Welcome new registering member. Your username must be your real First and Last name (for example: John Doe). "Screen names" and "handles" are not allowed and your registration will be deleted if you don't use your real name. Also, do not use all caps nor all lower case.
OT On the subject of ignoring symptoms
- Thread starter Richard Coers
- Start date
Things sneak up on us. Glad you caught it in time. Hope you have a full recovery!
Richard,
You are a lot smarter than I was.I let my quick,lack of vision go for three days until it was like blinds closing both from top and bottom completely going black until I saw a doctor to find a complete tetached retina.
I got back to about half my vision in that eye and the doctor said I was darn lucky to get that.
Going to a doctor does not show weakness, it shows strength and smarts.
Don't let your pride get in the way of good sense. I did and I will pay for it as long as I am around. Stupid Gary
You are a lot smarter than I was.I let my quick,lack of vision go for three days until it was like blinds closing both from top and bottom completely going black until I saw a doctor to find a complete tetached retina.
I got back to about half my vision in that eye and the doctor said I was darn lucky to get that.
Going to a doctor does not show weakness, it shows strength and smarts.
Don't let your pride get in the way of good sense. I did and I will pay for it as long as I am around. Stupid Gary
eyes
In the last ? 6 months I have seen lightening flashes in the corners of my eyes while driving at night and mving my eyes. Optometrist looked -everything ok. Said with aging (me???couldn't be me) there is some drying of the vitreous and pulling away from the retina-not to worry unless there "is a shower" (per Richard) and get to her ASAP, Gretch
In the last ? 6 months I have seen lightening flashes in the corners of my eyes while driving at night and mving my eyes. Optometrist looked -everything ok. Said with aging (me???couldn't be me) there is some drying of the vitreous and pulling away from the retina-not to worry unless there "is a shower" (per Richard) and get to her ASAP, Gretch
Sympathies Richard. Had detachments in both eyes. Waited too long on the first one, but a scleral band saved it. Second one was treated quickly. I am grateful for my sight.
Gretch,
I am exceedingly reluctant to stick my big nose in, but I would recommend an evaluation by an ophthalmologist (a medical doctor who specializes in eyes). Optometrists are very capable people, but the experiences noted above highlight the possible seriousness of the symptoms and they're just not in the optometrist field. I, too, have had similar experiences as described and have been told I may need a surgery on my retina to remove some 'saran wrap' but if the flashes come back, I'm supposed to call right away.
Good comment Dean. This Optometrist I have used for ? 20 years and is extremely competent. She has all the new toys which they have used to thoroughly evaluate the retina, lens etc. (history of mac deg in my family ) so she suggested an extra test, which was neg. Keeping an eye on my eyes!!! Gretch
Gretch, I'm with Dean on this one. (Of course I'm still shaking in my boots from the experience) I'd go to a top knotch eye center and get a second opinion. My doctors were really specific about seeing any flashes. They described flashes as tension on the optic nerve, setting off electrical signals to the brain. Of course I'm sure you know there really isn't any light involved, just those electrical pulses. Your decision of course, but I'm more relaxed this week since I went in for an early look at the work. My regular doc was not there when I had trouble. He let me come in for an evaluation, and I'm sleeping better since he went in for a look.
Very good advice! My father had glaucoma (well advanced before discovery) and my Uncle (fathers brother) was went blind in his early twentys. Knowing first hand how sight can change your like makes me more aware of "little" things with my eye sight.
+++1
I hav been seeing an ophthalmologist for over a decade now, have had several laser surgeries in both eyes, had a detached retina in one, but except for a cataract I see pretty good as long as there is about 10 twin flouresecnt bulbs in the shop. Not worth a hoot at night however, and thats a bummer, cause going to the local AAW chapter meetings is difficult. The eye glass doc can see stuff, but at times they are not sure what it is they see.