Small dark shadow in vision

[TodaysFishIsTroutALaCreme]

I have this odd round shadow on the edge of my vision.

It's not in my peripheral vision, but I can see it when I keep my head still but look to the right iyswim. It's not very big, probably about the size of a football seen from the other end of the room.

It doesn't look or behave like a floater as I can look directly at it and if I turn my head, it stays in exactly the same place on the edge of my vision as I move my head around (like if you wear glasses and can see the corner of the frame, as you turn your head, the frame moves with it keeping it in the same place in your vision).

It's not a complete black spot, I can see through it. It is just a dark shadow.

I am not particularly worried as have had it for a while and if it was anything sinister, it would have made itself aware by now. I was just curious if anyone else had had something similar and what it was.

TIA

It needs checking out op, it could be a detached retina.
Go and see your optician tomorrow.

Hi Mavis

I thought detached retinas happened quite quickly. Have had this shadow for months.

It may be a retinal scar from a bleed. I have one in the centre of my left eye. Definitely still worth a trip to the optician even if you've had it for a while.

it doesn't sound typical for detached retina really,but there are other things it could be.
It's not something to ignore - I'm an optometrist,I would want to see you and examine the back of the eye more thoroughly using drops to dilate the pupil to get the best view.I'd be happier that you've had it for months and it isn't changing but I'd still want to look ( and from my perspective not very big is a speck,not a football!)
Get it checked out

Ok. I will. I'll get something booked as soon as I can.

Thanks for the replies.

And Infinite it's only the size of a football from a distance. Close up, say 8 inches or so, it's only the size of my thumbnail.

I shall return to let you know how I get on. I won't be one of those posters

And I guess I had better get DH to drive if they are going to use eye drops.

Glad you are going to get it checked!
They might be able to see what's going on without drops once you are there,but not a bad idea to be prepared for it as a possibility.
(I did translate "football across the room" to other distances,by the way,cos I spend time regularly having that kind of conversation with people! )
Hope it's all straightforward for you,let us know how you get on.

Appt booked for tomorrow.

Have had problems with my right eye for years. It's never seemed right after I had suspected Optic Neuritis 5 years ago. And that was such a palarva, I was hoping this shadow would bugger off on its own.

Fingers crossed Infinite the person I see tomorrow can translate me too

Fingers crossed for you,for minimum palaver and it all being nice and straightforward

Lovely, lovely lady who I saw today couldn't find anything wrong.

Field test was fine, photos were fine, puff tests were fine. She had a really good look in my eye after putting the drops in but nothing showed up.

I am chuffed that nothing is wrong but she wasn't happy that she couldn't find out why i have the shadow, so she is referring me to have an ultrasound.

Maybe that will show something up.

That all sounds good - good that nothing obvious there,good that your Optom is taking it seriously anyway,good to be sure it has been thoroughly checked out.
I hope you don't mind that I'm now quite invested in working out what your shadow is.....

I want to know what it is now too

Wasn't really bothered too much by it before but it's got me interested. Best bit of the appt was seeing the photos of my eyes. It was brilliant!

In 6 months time when I get my appt at the hospital, I shall let you know what's happened

. I've been doing this ages and I still love to look at the eye,photos,magnified views of the iris,OCT scans ( in depth scans of the back of the eye - gives a slice through the retina ) - it's all cool!
Hopefully it won't quite be 6 months - will watch this space

@InfiniteCurve

Ok. Am a little perturbed right now. Just got my letter from the hospital to book appt. Rang them up and they said they wanted to see me within two weeks.

Wasn't bothered with my shadow. Until now. Wonder what the rush is..........