Torn retina

[BlackMarigold]

Driving dogs back from a long walk on Sunday evening, feeling fine, suddenly noticed repeated "lightning flashes". Thought it was outside at first then realised it was in my eye . Could see OK to drive because it was all happening at the side of my eye central vision was normal.
Knew it could be a symptom of retinal tear and risk of sight damage if not sorted so went to A&E , saw a nurse who took my BP was told to wait to see DR (approx 7 hr wait!). Sat there all night, eventually saw the Dr who didn't examine eyes, said he wasn't qualified and Eye Clinic would phone me with appointment later. I got seen in the clinic in the afternoon and tear was repaired with laser.
Need to go back in 2 weeks for check but seems fine now.
Has this happened to anyone? Completely unexpected, hadn't noticed increase in floaters.

I think the good thing is you got it seen to and fixed asap so well done for knowing what it was! I went to the optician for a regular check up and got told I have a hole in my retina (not a tear as yet), so have been referred but it was a bit of a shock. I hadn't noticed any floaters but since the optician said I have some I see the blighters all the time now; I think my brain had just ignored them and he drew my attention to them. Did the hospital say what happens next? Do you need regular check ups or is it just business as normal now?

PipnPosy - yes its a shock to realise there's something wrong with your eye that you had no idea about.
The Eye Clinic was amazing, very busy but everyone so professional and obviously knew exactly what they were doing. Hope you have the same experience.
I was there for 2 hours and walked out feeling fine, just a bit bleary eyed due to huge pupils.
Am very squeamish about even routine eye tests but it was fine as they kept putting drops in to anaesthetise my eye. Lots of explanations and reassurances given.
The laser treatment creates a scar which is supposed to seal the tear, perhaps they'll do the same for you.
I've got to go back in 2 weeks to check its worked OK, not sure what happens after that.

Yes the optician mentioned laser treatment so perhaps they'll do that. What you've said is very reassuring so thanks! I hope yours gives you no more trouble

DH has had a partial retinal detachment in one eye that resealed itself. The specialist at the Manchester Eye hospital was so impressed that he asked DH if they could take a photo for their records as he'd never seen one like it before.

At another appointment at the same clinic, they found a couple of holes in one/both retinae. A bit like a hole being punched in paper, but not cutting right through. They were spot-welded back into position with a laser.

He's had uveitis and bleeding from the choroid.

Some 20 years after all this started, he had a blood test for and a diagnosis of sarcoidosis, an auto-immune disease that, although it's a lung disease, can affect any organ in the body.

He has floaters in his vision due to cell debris from the blood clots he had in his eye, and inoperable cataracts caused by the very high doses of steroids he had to take to save his eyesight.

He's also has sarcoids - little crystals of calcium under the skin that are about the size of fingerprints from a little finger, but that look a bit like a rash you'd get from a plant while gardening.