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Original poster

Stretched retina - could tear - Help!

32 replies

desperatehousewife · 29/04/2006 09:20

Went to optitians for first time in 4 years as have been getting lot of headaches. I don't need glasses, eyes are relatively healthy. But he said I had stretched retinas which could tear and I guess ultimately if left untreated lead to blindness. I'm only 35 and was so not expecting to hear anything like this. Am being refered to eye hospital to get specialist opinion.

Trying really hard to keep it in perspective and not panic, but am feeling a bit worried and don't really understand much about this or how quickly a problem could develop.

Any experience anyone...gratefully appreciated.

Thanks

OP posts:
saadia · 29/04/2006 10:06

sorry got no info but bumping for you. It's lucky you went to the opticians now that it's been caught it will hopefully get treated.

If you're in London and are very worried and still getting the headaches you could go to Moorfields A&E.

JoolsToo · 29/04/2006 10:32

Hi dhw - I have retinoschisis - tears in the retina. I was afraid I may go blind but happily that's not the case. I have had LOADS of laser treatment in both eyes (a few years ago).

I didn't have any headaches or anything the optician (luckily) picked it up and from there I went to a specialist. I now see him once a year, just for peace of mind.

My vision hasn't detriorated at all since I found out about 8+ years ago.

PLEASE DON'T WORRY Smile

JoolsToo · 29/04/2006 10:37

btw - I'll bet you're short-sighted?

Original poster
desperatehousewife · 29/04/2006 10:44

joolstoo - thank you so much for putting my mind at rest a bit - i knew i could count on mumsnet!! No, bizarrely, I'm very slightly long sighted...he thought it was odd too.

I'm going to have to wait 12 weeks for NHS consultant to see me, so am thinking of going for a one off private session sooner just to understand more about what to look for, how quickly it can deterioriate, if i'll need treatment etc.

So my understanding is they don't do any treatment until it actually tears is that right?

OP posts:
JoolsToo · 29/04/2006 11:05

I think it's worth going for a private session dhw - definitely!

Assuming you have the same condition (it's usually short-sighted people so maybe not???!)

I hadn't noticed anything wrong with my sight at all - the optician picked up dark spots Shock on a routine visit - my consultant congratulated him on sterling work! Grin.

The tears were already there in my case (both eyes) so I had laser on my first visit -eek! Then I had more later - I thought it closed the tears up but it just seals the edges to stop them splitting more. As I said my sight hasn't changed before of since diagnosis but I like to keep an eye on it WinkGrin - (well both my consultant and I, so I see him once a year)

jabberwocky · 29/04/2006 11:23

Hmm, it sounds like you may have lattice degeneration and certainly may wind up with some laser work to prevent a tear. Or, the retina specialist may decide to just watch. I would say the optician is being rightly cautious in sending you on but please don't panic. Maybe do a google search in the meantime to ease your mind.

Squarer · 29/04/2006 12:36

They seem to be extremely clever with retinas these days. I detached and tore mine in 1981, and a part was missing which meant that I would have been partially blind. Instead of just sticking back what was left and letting me lose part of my sight, they made my eye small enough to fit what was left of my retina.

Hope all goes well at the hospital for you, and it's excellent news that any potential problem has been picked up early Smile

Hausfrau · 29/04/2006 12:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
desperatehousewife · 29/04/2006 13:31

thank you so much for all your advice and experience...really appreicate it.

OP posts:
Original poster
desperatehousewife · 29/04/2006 13:35

It is lattice degeneration apparently I have.

OP posts:
JoolsToo · 29/04/2006 13:56

sounds similar to my condition - says its predominant in myopics also!

If I remember, I think I'll ask my consultant what the difference is!

I know, only too well how worrying these things can be but I'm sure you'll be ok dhw - picking these things up early is the key! Smile

awayfromhome · 29/04/2006 14:39

I have had lots of laser surgery for tears and holes in my retina - about 4 goes for each eye about 3 years ago. I think that it is important to pick these things up early, which it sounds like they have done.

I am short sighted, but the tears and the surgery haven't affected my eyesight,in fact over the last year my eyesight has improved!!

Original poster
desperatehousewife · 29/04/2006 15:26

am i right in thinking that they will only perform laser surgery if the retinas do actually tear? That there are no preventative measures taken?

OP posts:
awayfromhome · 29/04/2006 15:54

I think so, I only had the surgery done on the tears which were "active". I still have a few which haven't done anything, they get checked every 6 months.

I was told a major sign of active tears are flashing lights, blue or white... Also told not to go out of my way to lift very heavy objects as this action can often unstabilize weaker tears.

JoolsToo · 29/04/2006 18:07

afh - sounds like you have retinoschisis like me! I was told flashing lights is a sign the retina has detached but I am able to carry on as normal. I too have had several sessions of laser.

dhs - yes no laser unless there is a tear.

jabberwocky · 29/04/2006 23:37

actually in some cases of lattice they might consider a preemptive laser - at least in the US. Protocol might be different in the UK. chipmonkey could tell you more regarding that.

Original poster
desperatehousewife · 30/04/2006 08:43

Why, has chipmonkey got the same thing or is she an eye expert?

The specialist here has said he doesn't do pre-emptive surgery....

OP posts:
Original poster
desperatehousewife · 30/04/2006 08:43

Why, has chipmonkey got the same thing or is she an eye expert?

The specialist here has said he doesn't do pre-emptive surgery....

OP posts:
jabberwocky · 30/04/2006 18:09

I'm an optometrist in the US and chipmonkey is in the UK. Sometimes protocol will vary between the two.

NotQuiteCockney · 30/04/2006 18:14

Oh, I doubt it's relevant, but if you're at risk of tears, contact sports and bungee jumping are both bad ideas (I'm sure jabberwocky can confirm or deny).

I'm at risk, as well, because I'm very short-sighted (6.0). My mom had a detatched retina on one side, before they could do anything about it. She had no warning at all.

jabberwocky · 30/04/2006 18:16

Oh, absolutely! That's the thing that scares me the most about bungee jumping. (Also gives me a great excuse not to do it :))

chipmonkey · 30/04/2006 18:43

I'm in Ireland actually but it would be much the same as the UK. Pre-emptive laser treatment on lattice degeneration here would be unusual, they usually wait for holes to appear. A hole itself can be present for quite some time without causing any trouble but IME are always treated.

jabberwocky · 30/04/2006 18:44

Sorry chipmonkey, I don't know why I typed in UK instead of Ireland Blush I knew that's where you are. Sorry!

chipmonkey · 30/04/2006 18:44

And I wouldn't bungee jump eitherbut it has more to do with cowardliness!

jabberwocky · 30/04/2006 18:46

LOL! Me, too. But I can act like it's an eye professional decision Grin