Any opticians around? Is this an emergency?

[Sleepypupp]

Last day or so I’ve been getting yellow kaleidoscope flash occur in the top left of my left eye. It seems to happen whether my eyes are closed or open, it’s very quick and seems to happen when my eye moves.
Im perimenopausal and slightly heachachey the week before my period anyway so im not sure if this is a kind of migraine (I have the mildest of eyestrain / headache feeling over that eye) but ive also had squint surgery on that eye which I understand can lead to a higher risk of retinal issues.
Next available optician appointment is Saturday, can it wait until then?

Did you tell them why you wanted to be seen? NHS says new flashes should warrant an urgent optician appointment. I'd phone them back to see if you can get seen tomorrow.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/floaters-and-flashes-in-the-eyes/

I would get this checked out before then
Perhaps call 111 and they will advise you you can't really get expert optical advice from Mumsnet
It could be detached retina or a simple migraine or many other things but this is your eyesight and should not wait to be reviewed .
Hope it's nothing serious but please speak ton111 or go to your local urgent care walk in centre

I have to admit, I didn’t phone the optometrist I just went online to book an eye test as I know they do a scan at the same time too. Is specsavers the right place for this kind of thing?

Call 111 or visit the NHS website. You need advice and either of those are your 1st ports of call for urgent eye care out of hours.

You absolutely have to go to an optician that has an Optos machine - check their website or phone and ask.

Flashing is a sign of a detaching retina and Optos is the only company that makes a device that can see the majority of the retina - there are other companies that make this claim but they're nowhere near as complete a view, so there could be a tear right on the edge that won't be seen.

A scan is not enough.

You need a dilated exe exam with a slit lamp. Trust me

Some large hospitals have a walk-in emergency eye clinic. Contact your local hospital and ask.

You need an emergency eye appointment. If you ring any good optician and explain they should triage you in as an NHS emergency appointment.

Specsavers were able to make an emergency appointment for me to the Eye Hospital when I needed it. It would have been same day had I not had my SS appointment at 5:15 just before they closed.

I'd ring them tomorrow and describe your symptoms and they may get you in earlier or 111 will get you a slot at the eye clinic.

Posterior Vitreous Detachment is quite common, but you must get it checked.

I would call 111. I had an incredibly sore eye recently and thought I’d just scratched it.
I called 111 as the light was making it unbearable, although I did think I was overreacting.
They sent me to A&E to be seen and I was given drop as it was an ulcer. If I had let it get worse the drops wouldn’t necessarily have worked and it would have been potentially a bigger problem.
I guess what I’m trying to say is don’t make any assumptions when it comes to eyes! X

@Sleepypupp When I had this, or something similar, driving to work about 15 years ago, I phoned my (local, private; he knew me and had my recirds) optician. He told me to go immediately to the walk-in clinic at the hospital in the town where I worked. They diagnosed a torn retina. It was lasered (painless); as that was not entirely successful it was subsequently treated with cryopexy (not painless when the anaesthetic wore off). I was told it was a good thing I'd acted so promptly. Act now, if you haven't already. Good luck. Ps you will need a driver.

I was told flashing is an emergency and should be seen asap as can be a detached retina.

When I had flashes in the corner of my eye this year I rang Specsavers and they gave me an urgent appointment. They did all the necessary tests, they were brilliant. It was PVD, no treatment necessary.

DH is an optom, He says possible sign of retinal detachment and to go to A&E or phone 111.

His exact words were 'you don't fuck about with that'

Hi all, sorry I forgot to update the thread. I did go to the optometrist last weekend and they gave everything a good check. Said it was likely to be PVD and that it was very rare that this could cause retinal detachment. It’s bloody annoying so I hope it settles soon!

It’s is annoying isn’t it. I had it happen in both my eyes at the same time. Had flashing lights and a little flickering line for a few months before it calmed down completely. I do have terrible eyes though- I’m -9.50 both eyes with astigmatism etc so that probably made it seem worse to me. I hope it settles for you soon.