Any Optiians/Opthalmologists Around? Retinal Detachment/Floaters Question ...

[Nockney]

I'm highish risk for retinal detachment (-6.0/-6.5, mum had a detached retina, too).

I normally get some floaters (round, white), but this morning have a bit of long thin brown floaters. Not a 'shower'. Just a few.

I haven't had a checkup in three years or so. I guess I'm due for one, complete with dilation and all that malarkey.

Do I need to do someting now because of the floaters? There aren't many of them, but I don't think they're the normal kind. They're just in one eye. I've not bungie jumping or anything, but I've got a two year old, so my head does get hit a fair bit, anyway ...

Not an expert, but also hugh risk cos v short-sighted. If you're worried, go to the optician (you should be due a check-up anyway). If they suddenly get worse, or you get flashes of light, go to A & E (that's what I was tld)

I am similar to you re prescription/family history/floaters, Nockney - my optician seems to think the floaters themselves (even extra ones) are not that big a deal as long as there are no flashes of light (when eyes closed that is)

You are overdue a check-up I think - I would ring for an appointment and mention the new floaters at the same time.

Thing is, I'm not really comfortable with the high street optician thing. I know, intellectually, that they're qualified, but back home, high street opticians are basically just glasses fitters, and Not An Option for me (oh, apart from the detachment risk, I am also a future diabetic, hurrah!).

I'll try to sort out an appointment this week. Does it really not make a difference where I go?

The floaters seem to have stopped again. I will mention them.

I'd been avoiding going in for an appointment as my glasses are really really expensive, so I dread buying them.

The others are absolutely right ..DH was an optician for many years ... it really does make sense to get your eyes checked regularly not leave it this long

Some places will have special offers on. IKWYM about the price - I use D&A as I get 50% off by getting contacts there as well.

With -6.0/-6.5, I have to spend a lot to not end up with really thick glasses. Current pair, I got in Paris, but the lenses were made in Tokyo.

I might get contacts again. I've been thinking about it. Well, I have to get some in order to get glasses, obviously. Oh, and I'm very fussy about frames, what with them essentially being tattooed to my face.

I go the a local one which is part of a small local chain and have seen the same opthalmologist for years now, she is lovely and has looked after me very well through various optical crises.

Do you have speccy friends, Nockney? Can you ask around for a recommendation?

And mine does dilation, glaucoma check, and peripheral vision check (big machine that makes minuscule flashes of light in different areas of vision) every time I go.

If not in the high st, where do you see an opthalmologist in Canada (?) - hospital?

Back home, you go to a hospital if you have significant issues. I've never had a high street eye check in Canada - they aren't really qualified like opticians here.

Hadn't thought to ask for recommendations, have a good local mum's list I can ask on. Um, actually, I know someone who's an optician locally, who knows about the Canada difference, but she works in a hospital, not a dispensing whatzit.

I bet she could recommend a good one for you! There you go

Sympathies re the lenses - I'm minus 10/11 so have to have those incredibly expensive ones (hence the 50% off deal being a Very Good Thing)

I go to a little independent optician - he's great.

He says everyone should have an eye test every year once they get into their forties, even if they have perfect vision.

The reason is that it will detect the earliest symptoms of Glaucoma - the most common cause of preventable blindness.

Spread the word, girls!

I'm not yet in my 40s (quite), but apparently I look like I am, which is much the same thing.

DH knows I need to go to the optician, so will remind me, too. The floaters seem to have gone away, but I do need my check, anyway.

Please can anyone help - I have had a flickering eye for about a week (comes and goes throughout the day). Just had a look in the mirror and can see my pupil dilating and shrinking really fast.

Any ideas?