Janie Grace Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I've always had floaters from time to time but in the past four weeks, they have gotten really bad. I often need to adjust my line of sight to be able to read something. It seems like they are darker and more numerous. Is this just an weird aging thing or a cause for concern? It's not like I'm seeing black spots... it's just sort of cobwebby and annoying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AimeeM Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I have black spots (floaters). According to my doctor, they may very well increase in number. There isn't anything he can do for it, but did tell me that if they SUDDENLY increase drastically, that I need to come to him ASAP (detached retina or something like that?). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Also, if you see a flash of light to the side, or you have an 'eclipse' in your field of vision get yourself checked out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lailasmum Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I've got a very annoying floater in my right eye. I wish there was a way for it to be removed easily. It doesn't always bug me but when it does it's extremely annoying. I can always see it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura in CA Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Please get it checked out, if only for peace of mind. Any change in vision -- more floaters, flashes of light, a dark "curtain" -- that is sudden (or not so sudden) merits, for me, a trip to the optometrist, ophthalmologist, or retinologist (I have eye issues!). It could be anything from a simple change in one's eye (sometimes related to aging) to a detached retina, or "just" a posterior vitreous detachment (the vitreous humor is that goo in your eye). I had a PVD incident and the symptom was seeing many more floaters than before; it didn't need treatment, but it was good to know about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Agree you need to be checked out. What I thought were floaters turned out to be visual disturbances due to high blood pressure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellydon Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Possible detaching retina. My ophthalmologist said that floaters are ER worthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frances Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I would definitely get it checked out by an ophthalmologist ASAP. My husband has had two retinal tears and a detached vitreous. The retinal tears required laser surgery and he was on restricted activity with the detached vitreous. You want to avoid anything progressing to a detached retina, as that could result in permanent loss of vision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I had cloudiness develop overnight. It turned out to be a retinal hemorrhage. I went to the ER and they could not see anything even though it obscured my vision about 80%. The ER doc sent me to a local ophthalmologist who had the equipment to see it and he sent me to a retina specialist about an hour away. He did surgery the next day. Since I know what it is now I won't bother going back to the ER if it happens again. From EyeSmart. (This paragraph is from the article on diabetic retinopathy, but you don't have to have diabetes to have retionopathy) You might have something completely different going on, but I think you should still see and ophthalmaologist (not optometrist). quote removed Best wishes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyacinth Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Echoing the others who said to get it checked out. A couple of months ago, I had a gradual increase (over maybe 2 or 3 weeks) in floater activity. I finally called the eye doctor, who checked me out and sent me to a retina specialist an hour later, who checked me out and scheduled surgery for later that same day. Detached retina. ETA: I'm fine now, and I have not had any more floaters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TranquilMind Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I've always had floaters from time to time but in the past four weeks, they have gotten really bad. I often need to adjust my line of sight to be able to read something. It seems like they are darker and more numerous. Is this just an weird aging thing or a cause for concern? It's not like I'm seeing black spots... it's just sort of cobwebby and annoying. If you had a sudden explosion of floaters, or if you are seeing a shadow or cobweb type structure to one side of your vision, get to the eye surgeon NOW before you lose sight in that eye from retinal detachment. This will generally be occurring immediately before, after, or during seeing a bunch of flashes, like lightening in your vision, which is the retina pulling on surrounding tissue. If it is just a general addition of floaters over a long period of time, you are probably fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TranquilMind Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Possible detaching retina. My ophthalmologist said that floaters are ER worthy. I would never go to the ER. I'd go to a local retina specialist immediately. They will work you in because it is an emergency. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Yes, get checked. I'm dealing with a PVD in process. Luckily my retina has been fine all along, but I've been warned to get in ASAP and have it checked if anything changes. My ophthalmologist said the more near-sighted you are, the more risk of retinal detachment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Do not go to the ER. ER docs, in general, are clueless about anything vision related. Your best bet is a retina specialist. Call on Tuesday a.m. See the ASRS.org for one near you. You need a dilated eye exam, both eyes checked with scleral depression so they can check the periphery for tears. Expect to be there a long time. 2-3 hours is not unusual. They may do an OCT, FA, or whole host of other tests. Floaters are normal as you age, but a sudden increase is not. (DH is a retina specialist.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdeno Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 My 8 year old has constant floaters and "fireworks". The ophthalmologist said they are ocular migraines and sent us on our way. I would get your eyes checked. Hopefully they can help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janie Grace Posted September 1, 2014 Author Share Posted September 1, 2014 Thanks, you guys. I will call an ophthalmologist tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Thanks, you guys. I will call an ophthalmologist tomorrow. Please don't wait until tomorrow. Call the phone number and talk to the on-call doctor that calls you back. Chances are, she/he will want to see you today. Doctors are on call for a reason and this is one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary in VA Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Yes, PLEASE DON'T WAIT!!!!! I've had two friends with detached retinas, It's not something you can wait on. ER's have opthamologists on call and they can fix detached retinas if they are found quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Yes, PLEASE DON'T WAIT!!!!! I've had two friends with detached retinas, It's not something you can wait on. ER's have opthamologists on call and they can fix detached retinas if they are found quickly. ERs have ophthalmologists on call…but they can be of any specialty. Not necessarily a retina specialist. And no, not all ophthalmologists will catch tears nor are they trained to treat them. You want somebody who does this 10-12 hours/day, five days per week. Not a guy who is a peds specialists or a glaucoma specialist or what not. It does make a difference. If you go in today, it is highly unlikely they would do surgery on you today. It's also not a guarantee that you would even need surgery. Minor tears can be fixed with a laser. Cryo or gas bubbles are also used for some detachments, and depending on the specialist and how well you position, can be very successful. Should you wait a week? No…but waiting until tomorrow a.m. is unlikely to change your outcome. OH…and positioning is key. Some groups will refer you to a medical equipment place where you can rent a massage chair or massage table. If they do not, ask. How you position your head can make all the difference because it determines if the gas bubble is pushing against the retina to hold it in place, for lack of a better explanation. If you want to be sure you get a retina specialist, then do not go to the ER. Call a retina specialist's office, and they will be able to connect you with one of their surgeons. (ASRS.org is a better resource than the AAO Find an Eye MD site. Why? The ASRS verifies fellowships and training before listing. AAO is more of a check-box thing so a comprehensive guy can check the retina box and s/he'll show up.) You do not want a practice with only a medical retina specialist (often in a multi-specialty group)… you want somebody who did a two-year fellowship in surgery and diseases of the vitreous and retina a.k.a. a vitreoretinal surgeon. There is a difference. You can also try Google Maps and search on Retina or Vitreoretinal. Most surgery (unless this is an academic center which offers a vitreoretinal fellowship) is done in a ASC. The ASC will not be open today. They, in general, do not keep staff on call as it's all viewed as elective/non-Emergency surgery. The equipment in most hospitals is old…as retina surgeries can take a long time, and do not reimburse as well. Somebody can easily do 3 or 4 cataract surgeries in the same time…far less risk….far more reimbursement. Even those, though, are usually done in an ASC. So, they (hospitals) don't invest in the equipment. They may not even have the necessary equipment, silicone oil, etc. Vitals.com is a good place to check out reviews of docs as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyontheFarm Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 So, Janie, how did it go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janie Grace Posted September 1, 2014 Author Share Posted September 1, 2014 So, Janie, how did it go? Like I said, I'm going to call tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 ERs have ophthalmologists on call…but they can be of any specialty. Not necessarily a retina specialist. And no, not all ophthalmologists will catch tears nor are they trained to treat them. You want somebody who does this 10-12 hours/day, five days per week. Not a guy who is a peds specialists or a glaucoma specialist or what not. It does make a difference. … Should you wait a week? No…but waiting until tomorrow a.m. is unlikely to change your outcome. … If you want to be sure you get a retina specialist, then do not go to the ER. Call a retina specialist's office, … You do not want a practice with only a medical retina specialist (often in a multi-specialty group)… you want somebody who did a two-year fellowship in surgery and diseases of the vitreous and retina a.k.a. a vitreoretinal surgeon. … … The equipment in most hospitals is old… So, they (hospitals) don't invest in the equipment. They may not even have the necessary equipment, silicone oil, etc. … Thanks for taking the time to post such useful information. I have a great retina specialist. As good as my local ER is, it was useless for my retina problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Maybe the difference for our family is that we are near two major teaching hospitals and there are specialists coming out of the woodwork here. I was specifically told by the hospital affiliated practice that I go to that I should call right away and that I would be seen as an emergency patient. As it is, when my vitreous tore I was seen within two hours of when I called in with symptoms (it was a Monday morning). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Maybe the difference for our family is that we are near two major teaching hospitals and there are specialists coming out of the woodwork here. I was specifically told by the hospital affiliated practice that I go to that I should call right away and that I would be seen as an emergency patient. As it is, when my vitreous tore I was seen within two hours of when I called in with symptoms (it was a Monday morning). You said yourself, it was a Monday. Also, yes….being near a teaching hospital (note: it needs to have both ophthalmology residency and fellowship programs) does make a difference. In any normal retina practice, if you call and they are working, they'll fit you in that day. That's normal. Weekend…and especially holiday weekend…they'll tell you to wait until the next day in most cases. If they have an OD or guy who does Saturday hours, sure they'll see you. If they have fellows on staff, they may have a guy pulling call. BUT…for surgery… you're still likely to wait until a weekday. Same with if it happens at 9:30 p.m. You can go to the ER, but you will be told to go to XYZ practice's office in the a.m. Very few (if any) practices would take you into surgery at 10:00 p.m. They'll wait until the next day. It's not that critical. The issue comes with people who've waited weeks and/or months to do something…not a day or two. And once again, just because you have a teaching hospital, and they have ophthalmology people on call (often residents), it is not the same as being seen by a specialist. DH sees stuff all the time that board-certified ophthalmologists miss. He receives reports saying that macula is off, when it's on or vice-versa. It happens more than you would want to know. Experience really does mater in these situations. BUT…even if you go in that day…. with the best vitreoretinal surgeon in the country (say Bascom Palmer or something)….there are no guarantees. The surgery is done on something thinner than a human hair. Depending on the tear…and location…. it can really be up in the air as to what the outcome will be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 My retina doc met me on a Sunday morning in June when I suddenly had major floaters. We'd been watching that eye so we knew something might happen. Once those floaters happened--I went in three times in one week. Eventually, an exam revealed a small tear. He zapped them with the laser in early July. The procedure itself was not difficult--but my eye was way more sore than I expected for a couple of days. He really worked it over. I'm pleased to report my retina is much more stable now. So, yes, OP, please call an eye doctor in the morning. Floaters are serious business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyThreeSons Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Several years ago, as I was driving to church one Sunday morning, dh looked at me and asked, "Why do you have a big black spot on your face?" We went to the ER, because I knew that was a sign of a detached retina (youngest ds has a condition that puts him at risk for detached retinas, so we knew the symptoms). They spent several hours checking for everything else under the sun. They finally called the ophthalmologist in. It turned out that his subspecialty was plastic surgery. As he took the dust cover off the one slit lamp in the whole hospital, a piece broke off the lamp, and he couldn't even look in dh's eye. He ended up calling a retina specialist, who had us meet him at his office. Sure enough, it was a detached retina, and dh had surgery the next night to repair it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 And once again, just because you have a teaching hospital, and they have ophthalmology people on call (often residents), it is not the same as being seen by a specialist. DH sees stuff all the time that board-certified ophthalmologists miss. He receives reports saying that macula is off, when it's on or vice-versa. It happens more than you would want to know. Experience really does mater in these situations. BUT…even if you go in that day…. with the best vitreoretinal surgeon in the country (say Bascom Palmer or something)….there are no guarantees. The surgery is done on something thinner than a human hair. Depending on the tear…and location…. it can really be up in the air as to what the outcome will be. Yes, Duke University has retinal specialists - some of the best in the country. I saw one of them - or rather was seen by one of them. I know how to assess the quality of care, as much as any layperson can. I've had poor vision way too long to take risks and have a significant family history with a variety of eye diseases. I'm sure every specialist has their own stories about catching a mis-diagnosis or failing to diagnose when it comes to their colleagues. I have been party to one of those scary "what is wrong with my child" multiple doctor -parent conferences where multiple possibilities were raised, major surgery was proposed and life support was discussed as part of the treatment plan, so yes, I am well aware doctors miss things and mis-diagnose things all the time. FWIW, the physicians & residents were UNC-Chapel Hill, so yes, they knew what they were doing. FWIW, I was told I would be seen on a weekend if I called in with the symptoms I reported. That's how they roll at Duke. I am also well aware that as a patient, I can say "I want to see an attending" "I want to see the attending retinal specialist" or "No residents, please" and my request will be honored. While yes, they are teaching hospitals and you can expect students and residents to be there, patients still have a right to choose who their medical provider is. How teaching and research hospitals work is common knowledge around here - all of the hospitals here have students, interns and residents because they are all affiliated with either Duke or UNC. We are blessed to be in an area that has three trauma centers within thirty minutes of our home - that very fact saved my son's life not too long ago. I love our teaching hospitals, but I also know that they have limitations, just like every other hospital. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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