aibu to go to the doctors about my eye floaters?

[NobodyLivesHere]

I have in the last week developed floaters in my right eye, they aren't huge but they extremely irritating.
I didn't think to much of it, until I mentioned it in passing to a friend who told me her mum had the same and it turned out to be a detached retina and she needed surgery. So then I was worried, rang my opticians but they can't fit me in until Friday. I've googled (because I am a dick) and freaked myself out because it says being very short sighted makes it more likely, and that it should be seen straight away.
Should I see my doctor? Or am I being insane??

[woowoo22]

I'd make a GP appt. They are also linked to blood pressure. And try not to Google!

[AlwaysDancing1234]

It may be nothing but would be a good idea to get checked out. Can you maybe book in at another opticians just this once? They can have a look at your eyes and would be able to tell you if there is anything to be concerned about. (I had floaters all the time as very short sighted, only went away after laser surgery)

[FindoGask]

I dunno, will your doctor be able to diagnose a detached retina? You might be better just waiting for your optician's appointment, as they will have the eye-imaging equipment.

Do you have any other symptoms -the blurring or flashing lights?

I have floaters in both eyes and have done for years, and they seem to be harmless (just to provide a counterpoint).

[weegiemum]

GP might well send you to the optician! So make that appt too.

I have floaters, have had for years, very common when you're as short sighted as me! (I'm on my iPad in bed, can't reach my specs without disturbing dh, I'm literally holding it 6" from my face!). I've got 120/80 blood pressure.

And top tip - remember Dr. Google is not your friend!

[weegiemum]

FindoGask do you live there? We drive past when visiting my parents and in a family tradition, have a guinea pig with that name!

[NobodyLivesHere]

Thanks for not calling me a lunatic. I didn't even think of a different optician! Will try that. Thanks!

[BikeRunSki]

I had this. It wasn't a detached retina, but a condition called Posterior Vitreous Detatchment. This is where the vitreous (the jelly like substance inside your eyeball) starts to peel away from the back of your eye. The floaters are little bits of eye material that break off.

That all sounds extremely scary but it's not. It was very quickly, easily and painlessly fixed with about 10 mins of laser day surgery at my local hospital and had not troubled me since, other than some check ups. This was about 11 years ago.

I was refered by A&E and seen the same day. It is very easy to treat, but also very easy to make it worse if not treated. You are right, it is more common in shortsighted people, due to the pressure the shape of your eye puts on the vitreous. I am -6 and -8.

Bearing in mind that I am not an Opthalmic doctor, I'd advise seeing someone for referral ASAP. It's your eyes!!! Don't take any chances with them!!! Good luck, but don't panic!

[Mehitabel6]

I went to the doctor with floaters and flashing lights, it was just as bikerunski says. The doctor said that if you had a curtain like effect that was the time to worry as it was a detatched retina.

[BikeRunSki]

Oh yes, I had flashing lights too Mehitable.

[NobodyLivesHere]

Thanks Bike and Mehit. Will see someone today, either gp or another optician. I'm -10in both eyes, I dont know if the degree of rubbishness is a factor or anything? You've reassured me a bit though, thanks.

[ScrambledEggAndToast]

I would get yourself to eye casualty ASAP with that.

[officelady]

BikeRunSki I am and at your post - I was recently diagnosed with posterior vitreous detachment after being referred to the hospital by my optician. I had (still have, actually) a ton of floaters in both eyes which appeared overnight and are Really Fucking Annoying. The consultant at the hospital told me it was to be expected due to my prescription (-10 in both eyes) and age (43) and there was no treatment for it. Now wondering if I have been majorly fobbed off!

[NobodyLivesHere]

It's driving me nuts too officelady!
We dont have an eye casualty except one the go can refer you to. I guess that answers my question really.

[bigbluestars]

Me too- I had PVD- it is very common as we age. By the age of 65 75% of us will have experienced this. An increase in floaters happens after this event

An optician is your best bet- A&E would likely refer you there anyway.
It is not serious and will be unlikely to affect your sight. No treatment is usually needed. THe increase in floaters will settle down after a few weeks, but it is wise to get this checked.

[officelady]

It's definitely best to get it checked out, nobody - I know we have absolutely rubbish eyesight but really wouldn't want to lose it altogether. By the way, it took 8 weeks for me to be seen at the hospital after my optician's "urgent" referral - although I did get given the phone number of the eye department triage in case anything untoward happened in the meantime (lots of flashes or loss of vision etc). Good luck.

[NobodyLivesHere]

Thank you for the advice.

[BikeRunSki]

I was sent to A&E by my optician.

[Mehitabel6]

I had no treatment. It settled down. It was age. I don't think it is anything to worry about but I would get it checked just for your peace of mind.

[bigbluestars]

It probably doesn't matter which route you take as long as you get it checked out. If an optician is worried they will send you to GP or hosppital anyway.

I went straight to an opthalmologist at my optician- I was seen the same day, she gave me a full retinal examination and many other tests, but was happy tat no follow up was needed. That was a year ago and things have settled down fine. In fact I had forgotten it happened until I read this thread.

[Shlurpbop]

Forget the GP appointment....you need a dilation appointment with an optician. When you ring to make the appointment, tell them about the sudden onset of floaters and your prescription. They should see you as a matter of urgency, just in case. If needed, they will then refer you to the eye department at the hospital.

[londonrach]

If new you need to see gp. If short sighted like me you have had some for years. Worth getting it checked out though.

[NobodyLivesHere]

Have an appointment with an optician at 12.20, Thanks everyone.

[odyssey2001]

I have had floaters for the last decade. They are bloody annoying. I now have long hair that covers my eyes most of the time and I never leave the house without sunglasses on, regardless of the time of year. In time, your brain learns to ignore them but it takes years. Best to get your eyes checked properly just to make sure, then it is just a matter of managing it best you can.

[Roussette]

Don't let the optician fob you off. Also bear in mind a lot of them will not have the equipment to check for retinal tears which is what I had and ended up having emergency laser treatment to mend the tear.

I knew I had a problem when I had a big floater suddenly appear one morning and thank goodness I pushed to get it checked out, if I hadn't it could have ended up as a detached retina.

[JuxaSnogUndertheMistletoe]

If there is an eye hospital or specialist eye unit near you, go there. They have the equipment to dx you properly, and also some drops are only available from a hospital pharmacy.

Your optician may be able to dx you, but they are limited.