Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Posterior vitreous detachment

29 replies

SweatyCat · 16/07/2018 10:01

Anyone got this or any (non-scary) info about it?

I have it in both eyes. Not really noticed any obvious floaters but noticed a flash in my left eye when I move it. I have had it about 6 weeks. I have had eyes dilated and a good look inside and it was obvious straight away. I have been advised what to look for re retinal detachment but am slightly worried.

Looking back I did have some funny vision thing in right eye a couple of months ago, kind of like very faint shadows in the corner of the room but they went when I looked at them, I think these might have been the cobweb floaters that the optician saw.

Trying not to panic about the future and my eyesight, will this just calm down and stay the same from now on?

Is it just an ageing thing?

OP posts:
BlankTimes · 16/07/2018 10:17

A relative, mid twenties has this. Saw lots of flashes so went to optician then referred to hospital. The very nice opthalmologist said her age group have 1 in 1000 risk of retinal detachment, her personal risk is 1 in 100 but it's better to see that stat as being one of the 99 that won't have anything happen.
Then there's the caveat that IF it looks like a curtain is being drawn over her vision, get to A+E immediately.
That was three years ago and no symptoms of that and no flashes either.

After initial diagnosis, it was very concerning but now it's hardly even thought about.
No-one can predict the future, enjoy the present. Flowers

user1494521813 · 16/07/2018 10:24

I also have this in both eyes for the last four years. It is very common. I have my eyes checked regularly and all is ok. I find the flashes tend to happen in cycles I will have a lot for about 8 weeks and then nothing for months. Retinal detachment is not an automatic outcome of this condition.

NanTheWiser · 16/07/2018 11:42

I'm 71 and had PVD in both eyes a few years ago, also got checked at the eye hospital. Yes, it is quite common in age, and nothing to be concerned about, but with the usual caveat about symptoms of detachment.
I still get flashes, especially when driving at night and turning my head at junctions.

Original poster
SweatyCat · 16/07/2018 12:27

Thanks everyone, its put my mind at rest somewhat, I will try not to dwell on it.

Must say, I am not liking this getting old at all, I have also developed arthritis. I am 48Shock

OP posts:
MyFriendFlicker · 16/07/2018 13:19

I developed it about five years ago.
I don't even think about it now although I was worried at first. As long as you know the symptoms of detached retina you will get used to it.
Yes, getting old is miserable. It was all downhill from early 50s, arthritis included.....

satsumagirl · 16/07/2018 18:14

Hello, I have this! Was diagnosed about 2.5 weeks ago. Have been quite worried about it but everything I have read suggests that in most cases it will be fine bar the caveats. I am trying to take comfort from that.

I am 41 and -3 in one eye and -5 in another. How are you feeling Sweaty Cat?

DiscoDown · 16/07/2018 20:59

Hi, I'm a optometrist. PVDs are quite common, the symptoms are very similar to retinal detachment which is why we're cautious and use the dilating drops etc. The danger time is before the vitreous detaches, because it can pull the retina with it, usually once the vitreous has detached it can't pull on the retina anymore. The flashes should gradually get less frequent although can persist as someone upthread said, it shouldn't cause any other issues with your vision so try not to worry! I know it's difficult not to, but you're very unlikely to get a retinal detachment once the vitreous has detached. Hope this helps.

Original poster
SweatyCat · 17/07/2018 08:37

Thanks everyone and Disco

The right eye has detached completely but the left hasnt, it is tugging I think that is what the flash is. Hopefully it will settle down. I am trying not to imagine the worst case scenario!

OP posts:
PickleNeedsAFriendInReading · 17/07/2018 08:42

yes I had that in one eye, which pulled on the retina and caused the flashes for a few weeks, and then tore (obvious from the hemorrhage) - but they caught it in time and fixed it, so the retina didn't detach. I had to really fight to be seen and convince them that there was a problem.

It's completely detached now, so they said I shouldn't have any further problems with it, although I've been left with quite a lot of floaters, and no matter what lenses they put in my glasses, they can't quite get it to 20-20 in that eye.

It's also much more likely to happen in my other eye at some point, although there are no signs yet. I'm still fairly young for it to happen, but am quite short sighted, which increases the risk.

satsumagirl · 17/07/2018 08:49

Thanks DiscoDown, that is really comforting.

I have been very anxious since being diagnosed as the consultant gave me hardly any info. All the info I have got about PVD has been from the RNIB and other websites. He also kept contradicting himself about what I could and couldn't do on the exercise front for the time being. I'm doing extremely gentle, low impact stuff at the moment eg walking briskly, yoga (but no inversions) etc but he was saying it was okay to use weights as long as I didn't exert myself or put strain on my neck? I was so confused by his guidance that I am just avoiding strenuous exercise altogether. He was also very impatient and quite irritable. TBH that aspect of it was way more upsetting than being told I had PVD. 😢😢😢 So I'm really grateful for your advice, thank you! I wish he had been as empathetic as you are 💐

satsumagirl · 17/07/2018 08:52

Solidarity with you SweatyCat! ✊ I have it in left eye only at the moment but it is only partial at this stage, so waiting for it to detach.

satsumagirl · 17/07/2018 08:53

And thank you to everyone who has shared experiences on this thread. It's a real comfort.

Original poster
SweatyCat · 17/07/2018 09:04

Strain on neck? Am I ok to have a backwash at hairdressers today? I have to go as I need it doing for DCs graduation ceremony!Grin

I keep even being scared to rub my eyes when I am tired, lol

OP posts:
satsumagirl · 17/07/2018 14:47

I am sure you'll be fine SweatyCat 😀😀 I think the consultant was worried about my habit of wielding 8kg kettlebells as part of my workout routine. Won't be doing that for a bit 😬😬

Original poster
SweatyCat · 17/07/2018 15:20

Thanks Satsumagirl

Do you find yourself questioning everything you do in case it causes the dreaded retinal detachment?Confused

OP posts:
satsumagirl · 17/07/2018 17:07

God yes SweatyCat! I've become a right eejit about it.

gummywitch · 18/07/2018 09:41

In middle of this right now with my second eye. First PVD was 2 years ago when was checked out by Moorfields n reassured all ok. This time round feel a bit more worried as optometrist sent me to Moorfields again claiming could see 'tobacco dust' (pigment cells from retina) indicative of a tear or impending detachment. Yet Moorfields cdnt see any! They didnt do a scleral depressor to double check this time round either, just the dilating drops n slit lamp. Mine hasnt properly detached yet, have a hanging cobweb of mostly stationary floaters at side of vision and the night flashes still 2 weeks on. Trying to ignore as much as poss but also on alert forxthe retina detaching signs. Anyone notice their vision more glary for the first few days of the PVD? That's settled down with me now

5000FingersofDrT · 18/07/2018 09:51

I have this in one eye - I've had it for about 10 years. I'm slightly amazed at all the in-depth advice the rest of you had....I saw a very curt specialist at the end of the day (I suppose he'd had a long, tiring one) who examined my eye and just said 'you've got PVD. If you see a curtain coming down over your eye it could be a detached retina - get to an A & E immediately'. And that was pretty much it. I had to google for any more info.

Luckily I've never had any more problems and I barely think about it. I scarecely notice the floaters any more, which were the main symptom.

Original poster
SweatyCat · 18/07/2018 10:00

Something I am wondering about now, the optician said just to come back in 2 years for normal eye check but he would drop a note to my GP informing them of the problem. I notice some of you have seen an ophthalmologist at the hospital, is this not something that is routinely referred then and is it ok to wait 2 years for another check? got me worrying a bit now........again

OP posts:
gummywitch · 18/07/2018 10:01

That's good to hear DrT. Apparently, lots of people have no symptoms whatsoever when it happens, no sudden load of floaters or anything! A normal occurrence as we get older, more likely to happen when young if very short sighted though

5000FingersofDrT · 18/07/2018 12:49

Yes, he said it was a very common thing with getting older. I have the usual regular eye-check and always mention it. The optician never flags it up as a problem and I'm hoping I'll have no more bother with it. I can't really remember now how I got referred to a specialist, whether it was through the GP or optician.....GP, I think. But there was certainly no follow-up at all.

Annebronte · 18/07/2018 16:10

I’ve got this too. I did also have a torn retina, in fact a bit detached completely. I could tell immediately that something was wrong: it was a big new floater. Treatment was to ‘glue’ the edges down with a laser, which was a bit scary but not painful. No problems since (and this was three years ago). I’m 48.

gummywitch · 18/07/2018 18:06

Sorry SweatyCat, been meaning to get back to you all day. I think some optometrists tend to refer you to the nearest eye a and e at the time of examining your eye for a PVD just to rule out any retina damage. I was told the risk of any tear or detachment is highest in first 6 weeks or so. Was never told needed any ophthalmologist follow up, just to rush back to hosp urgently if I get the curtain/black shadow across vision. It's always at the back of my mind ( more of a posterior mental detachment ha) Guess need to stop worrying about stuff that may not even happen! Easier said than done when it's a partial PVD eh satsumagirl and SweatyCat. Good to hear the retina tear/detachment fixed stories

DiscoDown · 18/07/2018 23:47

Hi Sweaty (feel a bit rude calling you that!), with regards to referral, usually I'd refer to the hospital through the GP if there were still flashes just in case, I think the protocol varies a bit between areas. I wouldn't refer if the flashes had stopped and everything else was okay though, although I might recall you in 1 year rather than 2. If the optometrist has written to your GP you might get a letter from the hospital to see you (I find even if I mark a letter information only it gets sent on as a referral! 😆). Hope that's helped and hasn't confused you further!

LoniceraJaponica · 19/07/2018 00:01

I'm so glad I found this thread. I ended up in A and E 3 weeks ago with a suspected retinal detachment. I was told it was a PVD, but was referred to ophthalmology anyway. They confirmed that my retina was firmly attached and I had PVD.

I have stopped running and HIIT classes for the time being and am walking and cycling only.

Will going back to running and HIIT cause further problems, or should I wait a while? Having googled, opinions are varied.