Wellness

[Ainhisg]

@vsm, thank you.  As I stated in an earlier post, there are only two Ophthalmologist offices in my medical insurance network, and I am going to the one that has the best reputation this morning.  They have optometrists and ophthalmologists there, but you can only see an ophthal if the optometrist deems it's necessary.  They act like a gatekeeper of sorts.  The sole purpose of the practice is eye diseases and issues as well as corrective surgery.  It's the best I can do for now.  The optometrist I'm seeing has 17 years experience, and he will do a dilation at minimum.  I wish I could get into an ophthal instead, but I can't.  At least this office is dedicated to eye concerns, and there is a surgeon on call 24/7 if something should ever go awry.  I'm going to ask about that more today.

[Ainhisg]

@sfnative, I was so very sorry to read about your experience this morning.  Having vision problems would be one of the worst things for any of us to have to live with.  I don't have flashing lights; mine is so weird...it's like two or three falling stars that fall straight down in my peripheral vision one time.  That's it.  Then it may occur a couple more times later that evening or it may not occur again for a couple of days.  It's been happening for about 6 weeks now.  

The first optometrist I saw did an optimap, and I could see the retina in both eyes.  No tears or detachment.  He did not dilate my eyes, however, and I'm not sure why.  I went to him because we have vision insurance there.  He said that I should come back if I was still having the lights by about May 5.  Well, as time has gone on and they've continued, I've gotten anxious about it hence seeking information about it here from you posters.  There's been no change in my symptoms--no increase in lights, no increase in floaters...just the same two or three lights falling straight down from time to time.

I"m going to a different optometrist today in an actual ophthalmologist office for a second opinion.  (See earlier post about why I can't see an ophthalmologist.)  

[lulu1]

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@Ainhisg wrote:

Have any of you had any experience with flashing lights in your peripheral vision caused by a vitreous detachment?  How long did it take for the lights to stop?

Mid-March, I started seeing cascading lights in my right eye's peripheral vision.  It would just be when the room was dim/dark and maybe 2 or 3 times an evening tops.  I would sometimes go a couple of days without seeing the lights, but then they would return.  I researched online, and my symptoms indicated a vitreous detachment.  I read symptoms could continue for 3-6 months.

In early April, I saw my optometrist just to be for sure.  I did indeed have a vitreous detachment, but he said it should stop by the beginning of May (approximately 7-8 weeks after it started), and if it hasn't, that I should come back for another checkup, and he will do a little more in-depth testing.  I just wondered if anyone has experienced this.

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@Ainhisg

I had this a few years ago.  I called it 4th of July as my symptoms were similar to falling fireworks.  I had an extensive exam by my ophthalmologist.  He said this was not uncommon as we age.  It did clear up but has reappeared (less seriously) from time to time.

[sfnative]

@Ainhisg

The best of luck today, as you see an optomitrist.  Hoping that answers await you there.  When it comes to our eyes, we NEED answers.

[Ainhisg]

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@lulu1 wrote:

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@Ainhisg wrote:

Have any of you had any experience with flashing lights in your peripheral vision caused by a vitreous detachment?  How long did it take for the lights to stop?

Mid-March, I started seeing cascading lights in my right eye's peripheral vision.  It would just be when the room was dim/dark and maybe 2 or 3 times an evening tops.  I would sometimes go a couple of days without seeing the lights, but then they would return.  I researched online, and my symptoms indicated a vitreous detachment.  I read symptoms could continue for 3-6 months.

In early April, I saw my optometrist just to be for sure.  I did indeed have a vitreous detachment, but he said it should stop by the beginning of May (approximately 7-8 weeks after it started), and if it hasn't, that I should come back for another checkup, and he will do a little more in-depth testing.  I just wondered if anyone has experienced this.

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@Ainhisg

I had this a few years ago.  I called it 4th of July as my symptoms were similar to falling fireworks.  I had an extensive exam by my ophthalmologist.  He said this was not uncommon as we age.  It did clear up but has reappeared (less seriously) from time to time.

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@lulu1, yes--exactly!  You described exactly what I experience!

[Ainhisg]

Good news! (so far) I don't think an ophthalmologist could have done a better exam. The only way he could have given a better exam is if he crawled inside my eye. lol  I was there for 2.5 hours.

No retinal detachment or tear and no vitreous detachment either.  My left eye is in perfect shape, but he did detect a slight wrinkle (for lack of a better word and as another poster described it) in my effected eye. My vitreous lining has not detached, but he thinks it is trying to do so. I'm to go back in six weeks so he can look at that area again unless I have an issue before then.

If something should occur, I'm to call them, and they will see me immediately.  They have a surgeon on call 24/7.  

I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and/or urging me to see someone else.  Even though I didn't see an ophthalmologist, I was very pleased with my whole experience today and feel confident that if the worst should happen, that I will be well taken care of in this office.

[PodyPo]

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@Ainhisg wrote:

Have any of you had any experience with flashing lights in your peripheral vision caused by a vitreous detachment?  How long did it take for the lights to stop?

Mid-March, I started seeing cascading lights in my right eye's peripheral vision.  It would just be when the room was dim/dark and maybe 2 or 3 times an evening tops.  I would sometimes go a couple of days without seeing the lights, but then they would return.  I researched online, and my symptoms indicated a vitreous detachment.  I read symptoms could continue for 3-6 months.

In early April, I saw my optometrist just to be for sure.  I did indeed have a vitreous detachment, but he said it should stop by the beginning of May (approximately 7-8 weeks after it started), and if it hasn't, that I should come back for another checkup, and he will do a little more in-depth testing.  I just wondered if anyone has experienced this.

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@Ainhisg I’ve had a vitreous detachment in one eye for over 2 years. Diagnosed March 2016. Opthalmologist/retinal specialist said it will stay forever. I don’t notice it very often now. He said I would get used to the flashes of lights at the edge of my vision in the dark, and I have. He also said it is likely to happen in the other eye, too. I have a checkup every year.

I also get ocular migraines with interesting flashing triangles arranged on a crescent in one eye, usually associated with stress. They only happen about once a year now. The first one was scary, but now Injust enjoy the show, sit quietly till it passes.

Glad to hear you had a good exam and that you feel better about it all.

[Elri]

@Ainhisg

That is great news!  Now, you will have regularly scheduled exams to look for any changes in status. If you notice anything, call them immediately. 

You can feel some relief knowing someone is available around the clock, if needed.   

So happy all went well~~~~~~~~~~~

[Ainhisg]

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@PodyPo wrote:

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@Ainhisg wrote:

Have any of you had any experience with flashing lights in your peripheral vision caused by a vitreous detachment?  How long did it take for the lights to stop?

Mid-March, I started seeing cascading lights in my right eye's peripheral vision.  It would just be when the room was dim/dark and maybe 2 or 3 times an evening tops.  I would sometimes go a couple of days without seeing the lights, but then they would return.  I researched online, and my symptoms indicated a vitreous detachment.  I read symptoms could continue for 3-6 months.

In early April, I saw my optometrist just to be for sure.  I did indeed have a vitreous detachment, but he said it should stop by the beginning of May (approximately 7-8 weeks after it started), and if it hasn't, that I should come back for another checkup, and he will do a little more in-depth testing.  I just wondered if anyone has experienced this.

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@Ainhisg I’ve had a vitreous detachment in one eye for over 2 years. Diagnosed March 2016. Opthalmologist/retinal specialist said it will stay forever. I don’t notice it very often now. He said I would get used to the flashes of lights at the edge of my vision in the dark, and I have. He also said it is likely to happen in the other eye, too. I have a checkup every year.

I also get ocular migraines with interesting flashing triangles arranged on a crescent in one eye, usually associated with stress. They only happen about once a year now. The first one was scary, but now Injust enjoy the show, sit quietly till it passes.

Glad to hear you had a good exam and that you feel better about it all.

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@PodyPo, thank you.  I, too, have ocular migraines that have decreased over the years. If these crazy "falling stars" stay around, I hope I get used to them.  I feel like I already am.

[Ainhisg]

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@Elri  wrote:

@Ainhisg

That is great news!  Now, you will have regularly scheduled exams to look for any changes in status. If you notice anything, call them immediately. 

You can feel some relief knowing someone is available around the clock, if needed.   

So happy all went well~~~~~~~~~~~

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@Elri , thank you.