Eye problem . Floaters -or something more?

[yougetme]

I recently became aware of dark floaters that stay in one position all of the time. Previously I had see through little ones but this dark one -although small- is hard to ignore although I know they are quite common so wasnt too concerned. Today however there is quite another thing going on that is disturbing me.
If I look to one side I get a weird arc like a lightening flash .Sometimes seems like a hair is dangling over my eyelashes.Depends which way Im looking but theres always something in my field of vision. No pain or blurring of vision .

Any idea if this needs to be seen by someone.I dont have an optician or any idea who to see about this. Do doctors do eyes?

[Athrawes]

Detaching or already partial detached retina. Go to opticians immediately!

[proudmummyoftwo]

Book in at an optician. I saw one at tesco opticians for vision issue. They found something in back of my eye and now being referred to hospital. Best to get checked. Could be blood pressure related, or glaucoma, cataracts, scratch on eye etc. Basically could be anything but doctors not much help, need an optician who will refer if needed

[yougetme]

Eeek! Detached retina ? That sounds serious.

I have no experience of opticians. Can you just turn up at one?

[proudmummyoftwo]

No you need an appointment usually. Try ringing around and see who can see you soonest. Explain that you having visual disturbances and need seeing asap. Try tesco/asda/spec savers/vision express/boots to name a few plus any local ones for you. Could be many things but really needs assessing by a professional

[Lupinlady5]

You need to go to A&E or emergency eye hospital and see duty ophthalmologist. You can lose your sight if it is a detached retina and they don't act quickly.

[Footle]

Ring NHS whatsit straight away and ask them what to do. I was told to go straight to a&e with these symptoms.

[yougetme]

What about a walk in centre? Would they be able to check? We have one close by that I can get to in the morning

[hippydippybaloney]

I wouldn't think they would have the correct equipment.

You can't mess around with eye stuff, this needs looking at asap

[Lupinlady5]

You need a proper ophthalmologist who can look at the back of your eye

[JedRambosteen]

An optician would be better than a walk in unit - they have the right equipment and eyedrops to dilate your pupils to get a good look at what's going, but A&E with duty ophthalmologist would be better still.

[JedRambosteen]

Going on

[Lupinlady5]

An optician was unable to detect my retina issue even with back of the eye photography, and sent me straight to A&E for pupil dilation etc

[ethelb]

The arc could be an ocular migraine.

Either way, a+e or an ophthalmogist NOW.

[yougetme]

Its long way to our a&e and Im the only driver .Its going to be hard to do the journey and the inevitable long wait this evening.

Would it be okay to leave it until early tomorrow morning?

[JedRambosteen]

You need someone to go with you who can drive or get there by other means - if they dilate your pupils you won't be able to see properly for several hours.

[yougetme]

Fuck.
I definitely cant do that tonight then. Dc in bed and old enough but nervous about being left alone . Just to get to A&E and wait normally would take hours anyway.

It will have to be in the morning then. Maybe it is 'only ' an Ocular Migraine? If so it might be gone in the morning

[JedRambosteen]

A decent optician may be your best option if you are that far from A&E and don't have alternative transport.

[JedRambosteen]

Don't delay though - ring round first thing tomorrow for an emergency appointment.

[ToffeeForEveryone]

If it's a detaching retina, then no, it can't wait until morning. If it is and the damage progresses it could be irreversible, i.e. you could go blind, in a matter of hours. You really do need to get checked immediately.

Is there anyone who could come stay with the kids? A neighbour?

[ToffeeForEveryone]

NHS guidance:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/retinal-detachment/Pages/Introduction.aspx

[DesolateWaist]

I used to work in opticians.
I have also had a retinal detachment.

The description of a hair over the eye is a very scary thing.

You must go to A and E. When it happened to me the optician called the eye department at the hospital. They kept the eye department open for me. That is how serious this is.

IF YOU DON"T SORT THIS OUT YOU COULD GO BLIND.

[RustyBear]

I had a sudden increase in floaters about eighteen months ago and soon after noticed flashes of light when looking to the side, usually in the dark.

I got my eyes checked at the optician and was sent to the eye hospital the same day. I was diagnosed with posterior vitreous detachment, which is a common condition, especially in over 50s.

PVD is not necessarily dangerous by itself, but it does increase the risk of a retinal tear or detachment pretty significantly, which is why it's very important for you to get checked as soon as you possibly can, as if retinal problems are going to occur, it will often happen very quickly, and any delay in treatment reduces its chances of success.

[cuphat]

I've had a detached retina (and various other eye problems). Our eye casualty won't see people unless they've been referred by an optician or have had recent surgery (they refused to see me without referral from an optician even though I had symptoms of and indeed a detached retina and then tears in the other retina. A pain with two young children). However I've been told to go to normal a&e out of hours as eye casualty here only works normal working hours. It probably varies though. You need to be seen, asap, anyway.

An optician will see you straight away if you explain but be prepared to go straight to eye casualty (this has happened to me twice, I needed emergency surgery the first time).

[Scoobylady59]

Posterior Vitreous Detachment......
I am not in anyway involved in medicine etc, but your symptoms are exactly what I had earlier this year. I lasted a week before I made an appointment at the opticians........I told her a saw arc like flashes, felt like I had a hair dangling in front of my eye and saw a floater (which I still have ) and was scared that I had retinal detachment. She did a 3D scan which picked up the problem and she diagnosed the above. Due to protocols involved I was called to see the consultant at the eye hospital who confirmed what my optician had said, and added that the symptoms mimic retinal detachment. So don't panic but do and get it checked out to put your mind at rest.

[yougetme]

Scooby Ive looked PVD up and your description exactly matches what I see in my eye. So Im not so panicked as I was but will ring round the local opticians to see if I can have an exam first thing tomorrow.