Sudden eye issue

[Medievalist]

I was sat at my pc this afternoon. And suddenly started seeing flashes of light around the outside of my left eye.

An hour or so later I had a dark vertical line across the field of vision in the same eye. I've now got literally hundreds of tiny bubble like floaters in the same eye, about 3 or 4 bigger black ones that look like small flies, and a squiggly one like a fine thread scrunched up.

I've had what I thought was the odd floater before. But there are so many of these and they look like they're about 4 or 5 feet in front of me.

I've got an appointment at the optician in the morning. But I wondered if anyone had any idea what might have caused this. Feeling quite freaked out!

Hope you got on ok at the optician

How are things,

I hope you have gone to the optician

I did go to the optician. Glad I did as he also works at the hospital eye clinic and was far more thorough than they were in A&E.

He could see I've had a pvd. Not unusual but apparently there's also some pigment in the jelly which he says could suggest a peripheral retinal tear. So he's also referring me to the hospital eye clinic for a further check.

Annoyingly I missed a call from the hospital just before I got back and now can't get through to them.

Well done OP. I’m glad you are further along now and properly in the system. There are ways of treating a PVD that are non-invasive (eg laser, cryotherapy). If you need surgery, you are likely to be out of action for 2-3 weeks if that helps with planning, and more restricted getting up and about post op with a vitrectomy than a scleral buckle.

Well done I’ve had laser and cyrotherapy, good luck and all the best. How are you with drops depending what happens you may need loads, hugs

Glad you've been seen. I hope he can refer you today to the hospital clinic, and that you can get through on the phone. If they are open, you could just go there and ask! Are you in London? moorfields has an eye A&E, and some others will too.

If in London Moorfields just go, hugs. Been with them over 20 years now, the best saved my sight twice. Today I can read nose on page no misties and love it..

Dr from hospital eye clinic rang and said the optician had rung him, so could I go in now. Just got here 🤞

Good luck @Medievalist

I’ve had 2 emergency appointments before with respect to flashing lights etc in my eyes. Luckily both times just been told old age wear and tear (only in my 50s ).

Good luck

Good luck. I can almost hear the collective sigh of relief on your behalf from those of us who have been through this!

@BoggisandBunceandBean

Good luck. I can almost hear the collective sigh of relief on your behalf from those of us who have been through this!

Yes to the sigh of relief. Hope the surgery goes well OP.

Good luck. I have had a couple of PVDs that needed checking out.

Good luck and loads of hugs, your not alone any questions ask, there are loads of us on the other side.

Good luck, OP. Eye problems are bloody scary.

The ophthalmologist at the hospital is pretty certain there must be a small tear somewhere because of the pigment/blood. But he can't find it. He checked very thoroughly, including putting a lens directly onto my eyeball, getting me to lie down etc.

So I've been sent home with strict instructions to go straight back if anything changes and been told that they'll see me next week again. Apparently once there's a tear the eye jelly can get behind the retina and cause it to detach completely. So they don't want to just leave it. They want to find it and laser it.

I've been bowled over by all the excellent advice and kind thoughts from you all. Thank you so much ❤️

Well done for getting it checked out thoroughly.

You take it easy till you get seen again.

Hugs hugs and more hugs, now you get rest, as I’ve already said question we’ll all answer them for you, been there done that t shirt,💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐

Glad you’ve been seen so quickly. It might stick back down by itself OP.
Take it easy over the next few weeks - nothing strenuous (personally I’d avoid too much exercise/diving/roller coasters).

Assuming you aren’t prone post-op, how are you getting OP? Has a treatment plan been worked out yet?

Was told on Saturday that they would see me again on Weds/Thursday this week. Ophthalmologist said it was unlikely a tear would heal itself as the jelly would start to get through and cause the tear to get bigger. I hope they can find it this week - don't want to be on tenterhooks wondering if it might suddenly get worse.