Something wrong with my eye

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Earlier today at I work I noticed a small light flash in the bottom of my left eye. I was not too bothered as I thought it could be the start of a migraine aura which I seem to have more of over the past 5 years. It did not develop into a migraine at all. Instead it has progressed to lots of brown worm like lines appearing in my eye. It has me quite worried.

Even with my eye closed, if I move my eye I can still see these lines.

Now, has anyone had this and did it pass? Should I be concerned?

That's awful. I hope you get some relief soon.

RDs run in my family.
An optician appointment tomorrow is great, in my area they can refer you directly to the eye clinic so it is a fast track route to the right team.
It is potentially an emergency but often it is a ‘come back in the morning for surgery’ type.
Try to move gently in the meantime, no head banging tonight.
All the best.

Hi, I had a detached retina last August and my only symptom was a flash of light that came from the bottom of my eye. I left it 2 weeks before I went as I googled it and read it was a sign of ageing - note to self, don't use google to diagnose.
My consultant said I was very lucky to have kept my sight.
Ring again first thing, or if you're in the northwest go to St Paul's eye hospital in Liverpool. They have an eye A & E and were incredible.
Good Luck

I had PVD over Christmas managed to get an opticians appointment the day after Boxing Day who said it was PVD but strongly advised me to have it checked at eye casualty the next day luckily our hospital has a separate eye casualty I was in and out in about 90 minutes all ok still get spiders in front of my eye partially if I am tired it is worse sometimes going from a light room to a dark room.

I developed PVD in my left eye last August Bank Holiday weekend. It hasn't got any better - it's as though an old fashioned camera shutter moves across my eye with every sideways movement. Very annoying. I wonder if I ought to get rechecked or if this is permanent now.

Get it checked, that doesn't sound normal. PVD should only leave you with perhaps a few floaters.

Mine took about a year for the floaters to get better, a few never properly disappeared but I think your brain stops you seeing them a bit after a while.

Hi OP optometrist here - defo get checked tomorrow. I wouldn’t bother with the GP, optometrist or eye casualty the best option as per other comments. There is a community based scheme for this type of symptom but not it all areas. You can check here:

https://primaryeyecare.co.uk/find-a-practice/

@IHS apart from the initial flashing lights, this was the main symptom at the time rather than floaters. I will get it rechecked though.

Get it checked again to be on the safe side but contrary to what many have said here PVDs can take months to completely detach (the jelly from the eye - not the same as retinal detachment). I am very short sighted -9.50 both eyes with severe astigmatism and several retinal issues (lattice degeneration and white without pressure). My PVDs took about 6-8 months to completely settle and complete- I had them checked 3/4 times during that time with a specialist because I was so worried by the symptoms and because I have other complex health issues I wanted to be sure it was normal. I’ve been left with a huge blurry bit of jelly that swirls around in one eye but apparently I’ll just have to live with it. Hate it.

That’s interesting, though I’m sorry you are still experiencing it.

This is correct re PVDs can take months to fully compete and at any point within that process a retinal tear and then detachment can occur (tho rare - only a few % of people) So even if you’ve had a PVD diagnosed and told your retina is intact at that point, if your symptoms change you should get checked again just to be on the safe side

So am I,

Optometrist if someone can see you today, otherwise, I'd go to eye casualty (there's no point going to minor injuries). It's most likely to be a PVD, but they can cause a detached retina too.

Update. I have been seen by the nurse practitioner and they have decided to up my high blood medication by 5mg as they think that may be causing the eye problem.

I have rung the opticians and they gave me a number for our local hospital eye department.

I rang the primary eye care number local to me and they told me to go straight to A&E.

I am currently trying to get through to the hospital eye department but constantly engaged or if it does ring, I get cut off.

This is frustrating. I don't believe I am allowed to just turn up at the eye department and they may be cross with me if it is "just" a PVD.

I went into a darkened room just now and I am definitely getting circles of light around my eye when I move them still.

OP, I had the same happen to me, starting on New Year’s Eve and diagnosed with PVD.
A couple of days later I did the online 111 and it told me to go straight to A&E. On checking in at the reception I was sent immediately to the eye A&E.

Maybe go along to A&E and explain, at least then you’re in the system as it were and maybe if you check in there with an eye problem they can get you seen in the eye dept if there’s no eye A&E at that hospital.

Did the optician get back to you and are you seeing them today? I assume the nurse practitioner hasn't looked at the back of your eye?
You can't rock up at our eye A&E either without a referral, even if you called. Referrals are usually from the optician, plus some via regular A&E but that's normally injuries and is a route involving a long wait! I would go to A&E if no opticians appointment available today though.

Sorry, just saw your opticians didn't agree to see you. I wouldn't be going back there again in that case - not good.
Head to A&E and get to the eye unit that way.
Good luck.

You can in some places. I’ve done it.

OP, are you in London? If so, you can rock up at Moorfields A&E.

There is no point in the opticians seeing her and they have referred her to A&E. In addition, opticians charge for this sort of visit which would be a complete waste of money as they can’t do anything but refer her, which they have done.

My hospital has an eye A and E, and will see you on demand. My old hospital saw me on a Sunday, and kept the eye clinic open just for me.

2nd Update.

I have been seen at the hospital eye clinic. I do have a PVD. I have been told my brain will adjust to the changes in my eyes. Apparently because of short sight I could be susceptible to a retina detachment so they have given me a leaflet as to what to look out for and to call them directly next time.

Really glad you got seen and great to have the direct access in case of future problems.

Good news! I’m glad you were seen so quickly.

I get them all the time and have done for years.
No retinal detachment.

And yet… I have just been seen by the optometrist at my opticians, where I had a through examination for the same thing as the OP, was given the all clear for retinal detachment, offered advice for the future and told that there is no charge as it’s covered by the NHS, from whom they reclaim the costs. No need to refer me on to the eye hospital in this instance.

So what you have said is either not true, or not true in all cases.