Light wobbly in side eyes & odd flashes of light

[Madmog]

I've recently noticed what I would described as a wobbly light in the side of my eyes (think worse on the right) and sometimes the odd flash of light, a bit like lightning. I feel okay in every other way, just wondered if anyone has any ideas would it could be.

[justmuddlingalong]

If it comes and goes, it sounds like an ocular migraine.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

I would pop along to the optician and have them have a look to check your eyes are healthy. Do you have a prescription for glasses?

[HopeClearwater]

I had something similar. Get yourself to GP and get this checked out. Not going to tell you what it was, because I want you to go to your doctor !! And yours might be something else entirely. But it was all sorted out with medication. Do not ignore it! I could have done a lot of permanent damage. Was very scary sitting in the eye clinic and looking at the aids for blind people.

[Madmog]

Thanks for your replies. I'm going to see if I can see my optician early next week (as they are easier to get to and easier to get an appointment with than the doctor). If that doesn't happen, then I do need to see the doctor about something else.

OhYouBadBadKitten, I do have a mild prescription for reading glasses 1.0+. Last time they pointed out the shape of my eye/pupil was changing (can't remember which) and they put a reading under Axis of 160.00. Could this be causing the problem I wonder?

[BikeRunSki]

I agree with Hope. My optician sent me to A&E to get me seen by an Opthalmic Consultant that day though. Easily treated, and not as scary as that sounds, but possibly beyond the scope of an optician.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Opticians have the tools to look at the back of the eyes and the skills that gps dont have. I have complex eye issues and my gp has said that the optician is the one to see whenever i'm concerned and they can advise if a hospital referral is needed.
Madmog, I think that its something to have looked at sooner rather than later.

[amberlight]

If it's flashes of light, worth getting emergency appointment as can be a detached retina. Local eye clinic at hospital

[Jinglebells99]

You need to see an optician tomorrow as an emergency. I had similar symptoms, I had noticed new floaters and flashing lights in the night. I rang the optician and they fitted me in as an emergency that day. The concern is a detached retina, which needs to be treated as soon as possible.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

There are less scary options, (like a PVD for instance) as it seems to be in both eyes but it does need to be checked out as a matter of urgency.

[Madmog]

Thanks for your replies. I'm seeing an optician on Monday (I'm in Cheltenham and it's taking 1.5 hours to get into town on the bus at the moment with the Gold Cup Races but waiting time at bus stop!, so much easier then). My doctors are brilliant and I can always get an appointment that day, so I'm sure I'll be able to see one on Tuesday.

[LightastheBreeze]

I have just come back from an emergency optician appointment as I had floaters and flashes of light down the side of my eye and it was a PVD. I have got to be careful about lifting stuff and strenuous exercise for the next few weeks though as there is a slight chance the retina can still tear.

I didn't need to see a doctor as the optician did the retina checks. It is best to go as soon as possible in case it is a torn or detached retina.

It cost £15 as it was private eye check but well worth it for piece of mind. A and E would have been free but much more hassle.

[BikeRunSki]

I had PVD. It got a little bit worse over a couple of years, then I had some laser surgery (took about 15 mins as a day case) and nothing has happened since. That was about 10 years ago.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

Could be a flap of retina loose. Get it seen to ASAP. Can be easily sorted if so, but dangerous if left.

[Madmog]

I have an appointment to see the optician tomorrow. In all fairness they would have seen me later on this afternoon, but needed to wait for daughter to come from school and there's no way we'd get through the race traffic from the Gold Cup in time. Even if I could make it, they've warned me I might get referred to A&E and my daughter would have to come with me on her own, which I want to avoid. So tomorrow it is.

If I do get a referral to A&E, any idea how long I could be there. Could any treatment be really painful? My Auntie recently had eye treatment in hospital and said she was in agony and doctor just kept saying it's nearly over.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

Sorry, not a clue. But I would say arrange cover for picking your daughter up. I doubt you'd be able to drive if you need any treatment.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

I've had loads of eye treatment including ops and laser. None of it was painful at the time. I was uncomfy after a couple of the ops but I had major eye surgery.

However, you need to be prepared that you wont be able to drive yourself home. They almost certainly will need to dilate your eyes if you end up at the hospital. Although some people do drive its strongly recommended against and I struggle to walk across the road safely after Ive had my eyes dilated, wouldnt contemplate driving.

I really wish you had gone today tbh in case you do have a problem with your retinas. Postponing it doesn't make it become less urgent.

[LightastheBreeze]

I had my eye dilated at the opticians and it was blurry for about 2 hours afterwards. Different sorts of lamps were then shone into all parts of my eye.

I have got a non urgent referral to the eye hospital for a more thorough check in the next few weeks, as it is my good eye. If both my eyes were good the opticians check on my retina would be good enough, but I think at the eye hospital they have more equipment to see right to the very edges of the retina.

BadBadKitten Glad to hear the laser wasn't painful, in case its something I need in the future.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

It felt like a little 'ping' in the middle of my head. Most odd, but not painful.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

No roller coasters or bungee jumping Breeze!

[Tanfastic]

I had exact same symptoms a year ago (still get it now and again). I got an emergency appointment at Specsavers who did all sorts of tests to make sure it wasn't a detached retina.

Luckily it wasn't it was something completely harmless that he said lots of people get as they get older (something to do with the jelly in the eye, I can't remember exactly what sorry). He did put something in my eyes which meant I couldn't see very well at all for a good few hours so you won't be able to drive.

I had it again earlier this week actually. Mine normally lasts for about half an hour and in one eye only.

[Madmog]

Thanks for your replies everyone. Everything is fine this morning and I'm ready for my appointment. Husband is on standby to collect me and bring me home/take to hospital. Will let you know what happens.

[RandomMess]

Hope all is well.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

Good luck.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Hope it goes well :)