Any opticians about? Anxious about new eye floaters.

[Whatswiththesmalltalk]

Apologies, posting here for traffic. I have recently had lots of new floaters almost like tiny rain drops and then some of the usual darker lines and dots. Had this checked by an optician who said it was just the gel in my eyes causing floaters just a lot of them.

I have started panicking tonight because I have over the past year been getting laser hair removal on my bikini area and it has just dawned on me that she hasn't made me wear goggles after seeing a post from another laser girl with the goggles on, she doesn't even wear any herself. Now got myself in a panic thinking I may have accidentally looked at the laser and damaged my eyes.

Can anyone offer any advice?

I'm not an optician but have suffered with eye issues so have some knowledge. I would have thought that laser damage would result in damage to the retina or macula. I don't think it would affect the vitreous humour within the eye, which is where floaters are. Did the optician do an OTC scan to look at the retina?

I would definitely suggest wearing protective eyewear in the future. If you're still worried go back to the optician and explain your worries about the laser. If they think there is any risk they can refer you for more tests at your local eye clinic.

I get a lot of floaters in one eye. They are much much worse when I'm anxious. Most of the time I don't notice them but when I'm anxious it's all I can see!

Are you myopic, OP? I’m only 35 and have eye floaters and sometimes flashes. I have had my retina checked and it’s fine, my eyes are healthy but because I have quite severe myopia I started to experience floaters much earlier than would normally be expected.

Thanks Boombatty, that makes sense. The optician did do a full scan of the eye and dilated my pupils also.
Yes I agree about the anxiety, I have been having a bit of a rough time at the minute and they have definitely been more noticeable and now that I've seen then they're all I can see!

YoureALizardHarry11 yes I am, around -4 in both eyes so not severely so but I also have quite pronounced astigmatism.

It’s probably that that’s a factor, but everyone gets them anyway with age. They usually start from mid 40s onwards but If you’re myopic your eyeball is slightly elongated and it pulls the vitreous gel away that causes the floaters. If your optician has checked and everything is okay with your eye health I wouldn’t worry too much. Eventually you stop noticing them so much because your brain learns to ignore them.

That's interesting, hopefully its just an age related thing then and not self inflicted!

I don’t know about lasers, but I do know about floaters and flashes as I have loads, and have done even from a teen.

You’ve done the right thing in getting them checked out, I always do when I notice new ones. They’re often caused by age, and can be triggered along with flashes when the vitreous gel pulls away from the retina. So long as this doesn’t tear the retina, it’s harmless (though annoying).

Thanks Allthesea, I've had a few since my teens myself but nothing like this, almost looks like it's raining sometimes and I agree they are definitely annoying. Hoping my brain just learns to filter them out at some point but for now I suppose I'll just have to put up with them.

Have you found that they become less noticeable over time when you get new ones?

Hi, I had floaters and blurry vision suddenly when my mum passed away. That was 20 years ago. It went away on its own. Now it is back lately. I do wonder if it is related to stress, anxiety and hormones problems? Also vitamin deficiency. I am in my 50s, Perimenopause. Not been feeling myself this year. .

I had floaters. It turned out that I’d got a blood clot in my eye and the floaters were escaping blood.

Please go to your local eye emergency unit @Whatswiththesmalltalk your eyes are precious and the need looking at by a health professional.

Get it checked, @Harmonyrose - firstly for problems with your retina as other posters have mentioned but your blurry vision could have other causes like glaucoma or cataracts, or an infection in the eye, as your immune system may be run down with the stress. Hopefully it's just plain dry eye.

New raindrop like and increased floaters need to be checked. Go tomorrow.

No chance that a bikini line laser will have caused the floaters.

if they’ve got worse since you last had them checked out, you need to go back, if not you don’t. Anxiety can cause floaters to be more bothersome.
@PickAChew the Op hasn’t mentioned blurred vision, but it’s very unusual for glaucoma to cause blurred vision until it’s very advanced which it’s why we encourage people over 40 to have an eye exam every 2 years.

I’m an optom

Also an optom and second all this 👌🏻

Harmonyrose, who I replied to, mentioned blurred vision, though. OK I was wrong about possible glaucoma but the need to be checked out obviously still stands.

Hi all,
Went to the Optician on Thursday, had a scan and eye test. Thank goodness nothing serious or major. It is healthy. Told them about my eye floaters, he said if I see flashing lights or shadows, then it is very serious, an ophthalmologist is recommended. Got myself a new pair of glasses and sunglasses. Can't believe it has been 8 years since my last visit to the Optician. Naughty me!😗
Next, need to sort out my gut health.