Horseshoe shaped eye floater. Is this a problem?

[Apolloanddaphne]

I noticed I have a black horseshoe shaped eye floater in my left eye. It is quite intrusive and unlike anything I have ever had previously. My eyes have been very dry and tired today but I haven't been rubbing them.

I googled it and there seems to be some info saying there may be an issue with the retina. Has anyone experienced this before?

I really want to know if I need to contact the optician tomorrow or if this is quite a common thing which will go away on its own.

Thanks

I have a floater, and it turns out as the pp said, my eyes ageing! However you must get it checked out as it can be a sign of a detached retina. Hope you get on ok at the opticians.

good to hear the OP is being checked. Been there and may get recognised, but what the heck:

• any sudden floater or flashing lights needs an optician check within 24 hours if possible. Unless your hospital has an eye A and E (not just a standard A and E) or an urgent eye care clinic there is no point going there, it needs someone with the dilating drops and the kit.
• most towns have an optician registered with the urgent care scheme which in my area is called PEARS. Your GP will know which ones are. It's a fantastic system which gets you straight to the right person without a long journey.
• two possibilities with same symptoms: posterior vitreous detachment which is harmless, retinal detachment which will blind the eye if untreated. (this is why you do not delay) Only way to tell the difference is by an examination by an optician using dilating eye drops. Your vision will be blurred for six hours and they will check both eyes so don't drive there!
• if PVD, no treatment needed, although get rechecked if not complete as can still pull the retina. If detachment follow advice to get your arse straight to an eye hospital for treatment - an appointment will be made for you. Cancel everything else.

causes: middle age, short sight, life in general.

hopefully the OP has a PVD but if it is a detachment, it should be caught in time.

Gosh, how scary for you

Most likely a PVD which is nothing to worry about, very common. However, it’s great that you have made an appointment as they do need to rule out anything more serious, and nobody can diagnose with any certainty over the internet!

I had similar and it turned out to be retinal legions. If you are anywhere near London Moorfield eye hospital is the most amazing quality of care. They literally saved my sight.

Wishing you the best OP glad you are getting checked out.

I'm nowhere near London. I live on the east coast of Scotland! Also I have just arrived and have driven in so hopefully there won't be any dye put in my eye today. Will let you all know how it goes.

it isn't dye, it is dilation drops and they should have warned you that you will be unable to drive for hours aftewards. Examination cannot be done without dilation.

sorry - but better safe than sorry. Hope it is just a PVD.

I'm back. I had the dilating drops put in but only in one eye and was able to drive the short distance home.

I have PVD and I now have a Weiss ring in my eye (it's pronounced vice ring which sounds very alarming. I had images of a shady bunch dealing in drugs and prostitution wandering around my eyeball!)

Anyway all was fine apart from that so I just need to live with it. I've got some eye drops for my dry eyes too so hopefully that will help. Thanks to all who gave me advice.

You're doing the right thing.

I had similar a few months ago and as I am diabetic the optician sent me to urgently see an eye specialist. It turned out to be an ocular migraine but taking risks with your sight is not worth it.

That will teach me to RTFT before responding, glad you have been seen and it is not too sinister.

phew - and so that's what the floater is called! Very good news that it isn't a retinal detachment. I'm also living with a floater, it will go in a few months either because it vanishes or because you stop noticing. Apparently the Americans offer an op to clear out the vitreous humour and the floaters, but it is considered too risky in the UK. Can't say I disagree with that.

I still think the other eye should be checked - and it will probably happen there sooner or later anyway. When it does, don't ignore but get the same done.

thanks for the update and good to hear this news.

I had PVDs about 6 years ago, first one eye, then the other went about 6 weeks later. Both checked out at the eye hospital, so don't be surprised if the other eye follows suit. Quite common as you get older (I was 66 at the time).

So glad to hear your news!

Apollan, I have floaters, they started when I was fifty. I hardly notice them now but just on occasions, they seem bigger.

An oculist at your optician or anywhere like Boots Opticians will examine your and tell you if the floater is anything concerning.

Glad all is okay.
It can take a few weeks for the PVD to complete (although Optometrists can check how far through the process you are with an OCT), during this time you still have a slightly higher risk of getting a tear or detachment. So watch out for any new symptoms - flashing lights, curtains shadows in your vision or lots of new floaters. I'd hold off the bungee jumping for a month or so!

Yes, we don't really do many vitrectomies in the UK as the complication risk is moderately high and most people do get used to floaters.