Would a&e send me away

[Nicsworld]

I got checked out today at a&e this morning as I've been seeing a shadow in my peripheral lower vision and more viable when I turn my head to each side. Its in both eyes so I knew retinal detachment was unlikely as usually its just one eye but I know its a definite symptom so I went straight there just incase. I've also been seeing rainbow halos around lights. I'm only 30 but I know glacouma can happen in younger people. I didn't get seen by an eye doctor but a doctor tested my sight in by getting me to read the letters etc in the eye room and said that was perfect. I told her I don't feel the shadow is blocking my peripheral vision but its there. I told her I have had signs of high blood pressure on my retina in the past. She did peripheral vision tests on me with her fingers and they were OK then she said I can look with this little handheld ophthalmoscope but I don't have anything else so your better going to the options and they can dilate your eyes etc to get a proper look. She had a look and said my retinas were attached. Basically I'm wondering if she had saw anything sinister do you think she would have sent me away to make an eye appointment with the option or would she not have been able to even see the optic nerve or anything with her instrument she had available as that's the main thing I'm panicking about. Any replys or answers would be appreciated.

Go to an optician?

I have since made an appointment with an optition

Optician

For eye problems an optician is a much better first call than A&E. They are professionals and can make referrals directly to the relevant hospital teams. If you tell them your symptoms most good opticians will fit you in ASAP.

Specsavers can scan your eye, I’m sure other opticians can too. The optician will give your eye a thorough check and refer an eye clinic if needed.

I imagine she could see fairly well if she could see the retina wasn't detached. Try not to panic.

I had similar to you but I made an appointment at the opticians as I know they have specialist equipment whereas unless it was an eye a&e they don't.
I had my pupils dilated and Mine turned out to be pvd as I'm quite short sighted it's fairly common apparently.

When is your opticians appointment? Could you tell them you are really worried and could they see you today/tomorrow?

Do you have anxiety about health issues?

Please call 111 if you're not sure which service is most appropriate, before going to A&E.

Optician is much more appropriate for your issues. Or your GP can refer you to the eye clinic. It's usually our patients based referrals rather than emergency cases. I'm not sure what else a&e could have done for you.

I dont normally go to a&e for minor issues if that's what everyone is assuming but when you type on Google about peripheral vision shadows or black curtain effects etc in your vision it does say go straight to a&e incase of retinal detachment so that's what I did as I was unsure and worried I would lose vision if it was that. I don't think I was wasting their time for that kind of thing.

Thanks @KittensTeaAndCake. Hopefully its something like yours was. I have managed to get an appointment for tomorrow afternoon.

I'm a bit confused why you are asking if A&W would send you away, when you have already been

It wasn't the best place to go.
111 is generally a better 'go to' for advice than Google.
An optician would have been a better choice
BUT you've already been ??

@CorrBlimeyGG

Do you have anxiety about health issues?

Please call 111 if you're not sure which service is most appropriate, before going to A&E.

Comments like this are so unhelpful. So many people being asked in here if they have health anxiety because they have a worry or an issue they aren’t sure is suitable for A&E.

OP had symptoms that could be a sign of retinal detachment and got herself checked - you did the right thing. I hope all goes ok at your opticians appointment.

It wasn't the best place to go.
111 is generally a better 'go to' for advice than Google

And 111 would've told her to go to A&E. OP thought it was retinal detachment and ALL opticians will tell you to go to A&E straight away if you have symptoms for retinal detachment.

Try not to worry OP I'm sure it will be something quite simple and you haven't got too long to wait.

Hope it goes well, let us know how it goes

OP had symptoms that could be a sign of retinal detachment and got herself checked

She didn't. She acknowledges this in the opening post.

My DH had retinal detachment picked up by the optician who sent him immediately to an Eye Specialist

@CandleWick4 thank you @kittensTeaandcake. Thank you I will . @jayAlfredPrufrock did you DH get it sorted quickly?

@Nicsworld, how did the opticians go?

@CorrBlimeyGG - she did have signs of a retinal problem, which could potentially warrant a trip to A&E, especially with the halos, which if new can indicate a range of things, all of which need investigating urgently.

It's also not possible to rule out a retinal problem using a hand held opthalmoscope, you cannot see the full extent of the retina using one, although you can use it to detect more central detachments or blood cells in the vitreous - which are seen when you have a retinal break.

If you do have a problem like this and can see an optician quickly, it's always worth calling them first. We can triage over the phone and direct you to the best place for your problem.

You would always want to go to A&E for sudden vision loss, a physical injury, a chemical burn, or severe sudden eye pain.

Could it be an aura migraine? That’s rainbows and flashing lights and restricted vision but it does usually go away after half an hour. I get them regularly but without the headache usually.