Retinal issues?

[BusStopBetty]

Following a routine opticians visit I've been referred to the eye hospital this week for them to investigate as I've been having floaters and flickery vision. Vision is already iffy so I'm concerned -panicking- especially as my better eye is the one affected.

I've read quite a bit about retinal tears and detachments. I should stop reading now, shouldn't I?

Anyone been through this and can advise?

[Footle]

If the optician thought you had a retinal tear s/he would have sent you straight to hospital. Floaters are because of post vitreous detachment, not retinal detachment, and although they're worrying at first, your brain adjusts to them so you notice them less.
Don't google and don't panic.

[BusStopBetty]

Thank you. They didn't actually dilate my eyes, but they did do the retinal photography. I was quite shocked to get a call asking me to attend the hospital. I've had quite a few eye issues so hopefully they just want to double check because of my history.

[AlcoChocs]

I had a retinal tear repaired 3 months ago.
Suddenly noticed bright flashing lights out of corner of eye, like a camera flash going off every second. Never had any eye problems before so panicked about detached retina and going blind and went straight to A&E.
Waited 7 hrs to see a Dr.
Was sent to eye clinic and everything sorted in 2hrs. Hardly felt a thing, just a slight ache with the laser zaps.had this laser procedure done.
You might not have a retinal tear and just need monitoring for a while to make sure everything's OK. Good luck

[Mummylin]

My Dh went to the eye hospital yesterday because he could see circles and lines in his eye, it appears these are floaters and they explained how they get there, they said they would just check his " good" eye and found there was a small tear in it. They offered to give him laser treatment right away to stop the tear getting any bigger. Dh had no idea as he had no symptoms at all.
He did not feel anything apart from the last two or three zaps and he is fine today, he has to go back next week for a check up on the eye they lasered.
He had excellent service and treatment apart from waiting around for hours ! So thankful they found the tear before it got bigger and caused real problems. The floaters are harmless though annoying but Dh was told he won't even notice them eventually.

[BusStopBetty]

Thank you, everyone. Saw the consultant this afternoon. The drops have just about worn off, I was neither use nor ornament at work this afternoon. Ended up printing out things in a large font and muddling through.

Short story is it's a PVD. Hopefully won't develop into into a tear - a 10% chance, apparently. So scary, but will hopefully be ok. I could really do with not losing any more vision.

[TheoriginalMrsDarcy]

I was diagnosed with floaters in both my eyes about 4 years ago. I'm 40 now. Like u I was really worried about losing my sight, esp as i was told floaters are a more age related disease, generally occurring around 60 years old. I've since had a few more floaters but I've managed to adapt and train my brain to ignore them. I make sure I get my eyes tested every 2 years and pop along to my doctors/ opticians if I ever feel my sight is getting worse.