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Floaters and Flashers
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Message 1.Ìý
Posted by Westsussexbird or Birdy aka Westie (U6316532) on Saturday, 24th October 2009
If you've got them you'll know what I'm talking about.
I have just developed a rather large floater in one eye which is really annoying me at the moment. This is also accompanied by flashes that I notice particularly in the dark.
I've had it checked out and it seems that at the moment there is nothing to be done about it.
I read that to some extent the brain learns to ignore the floater and I will get used to it .... but at the moment I am finding that hard to believe.
Can anyone tell me how they have got on with their
floater? It's like living with a squashed gnat or a small cobweb wizzing around in my field of vision. -
Message 2
Posted by Reggie Trentham (U7102122) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Floaters yes, flashers no. I've had them for ten or fifteen years now, exactly as you describe a cobweb around you field of vision.
I've been to opticians and eye hospials and they tell me there's nothing there. Until recently when I found that one of my s-i-ls is similarly afflicted I thought I was unique.
Its no real problem as far as I'm concerned for every day things, even watching television. The real curse is trying to read, even with reading glasses. In my experience the only thing that makes reading tolerable is really bright light. -
Message 3
Posted by Reggie Trentham (U7102122) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Can I just add that I'm really only afflicted in one eye. Problem is it's the eye that has been, ever since childhood, my 'good eye', they even made me wear a patch over it at one time to improve the sight of the other. Never worked and it doesn't make the situation any better now.
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Message 4
Posted by Dirigibles was here (U7278225) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Westie, how very annoying for you. I'm sorry.
My AP found that they fade in time, so if yours is fairly recent, I hope you'll find that it gradually diminishes. -
Message 5
Posted by dean volecape (U1477030) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
They're amddening - a friend who uses microscopes a lot had to stop work for months a few years back In her case the GP thought their appearance was probably linked to a virus and that they would go away, which they eventually did.
I have tiny ones that I ususally don't 'see' any more unless I'm looking at something bland like the sky. They do get more numerous when I'm tired or run down, and were at their most intrusive just before I came down with shingles.
Because of that, if they flared up again, I'd do what I do if my shingles scar gets troublesome, and take a course of liquid Vitamin B12, just in case there was a real link.
I hope yours diminish and become bearable. They really are something that can be there for many decades without developing into anything worse, which is some comfort. -
Message 6
Posted by E Yore (U1479700) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Sun, 25 Oct 2009 07:21 GMT, in reply to westie in message 1
Public Service Announcement:
flashes could be the sign of problems on the retina. If you are myopic in particular (a high-risk group for detached retinas) and see flashes regularly, especially after an effort like bending down and picking up something and if you are also seeing 'flies', ie black floaters that you cannot ignore, then please get yourself to an eye hospital or an opthalmologist to check your retina isn't tearing and detaching. Before the retina tears and detaches, it is relatively simple to "sew" it back on with lasers. Once it has detached, it becomes a whole lot more complicated to restore sight (not always possible). -
Message 7
Posted by Westsussexbird or Birdy aka Westie (U6316532) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
It's still there!!! I'm just going to have to get used to it I guess. I will try and look on it as a pet Mustardland flea caught in a cobweb!
Thanks for replying ... I had read about it before I rang the optician in the morning when I realised that actually the thing I had been trying to swot/wipe away was actually in my eye but it is lovely to 'talk' to others who actually have experience of this.
I had read that there were sometimes accompanying flashes and the optician asked about them, but couldn't say for sure although somehow I wasn't surprised flashes were mentioned. Last night when I came upstairs to a dark landing as I turned the corner 'flash' and in fact if I jerk my eye or jolt my head I can make it flash, so I will ring the optician again in the morning.
He examined me very carefully and said that often he can't see the floaters but in my case he could see this particular one. I've since noticed others but not like this one ... his advice agrees with advice I've read that unless something untoward happens and I begin to see real change, not to worry too much but if anything happens while we're travelling to get to a hospital. Hopefully it will fade as Dirigibles mentions and I just hope to goodness it doesn't spoil using my telescope for birdwatching. I don't actually put my eye to the lense so hopefully I will be able to use the other eye if it proves problematic.
So, Reggie thanks for the tip to read with a bright light and Dean, I know my mother recommended vit B12 for something or other so I'll get some. It is very nice to read that it needn't get any worse
Mega sympathy with your shingles Dean ... my daughter's accordion teacher had shingles and I asked a friend to make him a wrap around silk vest for when it flared up. The prototype vest was a non wrap around one and he got it over his head but we couldn't get it off him!! We had to cut it off. It was quite funny at the time!.
Thanks again ... -
Message 8
Posted by Westsussexbird or Birdy aka Westie (U6316532) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
EYore, thankyou very much for that. I'm going to take it easy today and get back to the optician in the morning. He's a good chap and will know what to do. He diagnosed a problem (albeit different) in a friend's eye.
I told him I couldn't be sure about flashers as where I often sit we get flashes of light from a neighbours car when the sun sets and so what I had noticed might have been from that .... but I now know exactly what he was describing.
Getting older isn't much fun is it! -
Message 9
Posted by Lady Trudie Tilney Glorfindel Maldini (U2222312) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Westie, if this is a new thing for you, then I'm afraid it needs looking at by an opthalmologist (ie medic) not just an optician.
Do you live within striking distance of a hospital with an eye casualty? I would give them a ring & probably go along today if I could. Sorry to sound alarmist, but that's what I would do. -
Message 10
Posted by Miladou bloody but unbowed (U3518248) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
I agree with E Yore and Ermintrude. It's probably nothing, but best to rule more sinister causes out. I've had floaters for years and years and learned to ignore them. Last year, both my friend and I experienced the flashes you describe. Our opthalmologist carried out field tests which were both OK, so maybe they were caused by a virus. I hadn't realised that could be the case. The only other thing you might want to do is get your BP checked.
NB The field test was great fun - only time I've ever scored 100% in my life! -
Message 11
Posted by Westsussexbird or Birdy aka Westie (U6316532) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
oh :0(
I know my BP is low but I'll get the machine out and go and check it now.
All is quiet here at the moment ... I'll talk it through with OH when he wakes up.
Thanks for much for this. -
Message 12
Posted by Mum's favourite child is Jennifer (U11299800) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
I have tiny ones that I ususally don't 'see' any more unless I'm looking at something bland like the sky. They do get more numerous when I'm tired or run down Ìý
Exactly my experience, Dean. -
Message 13
Posted by E Yore (U1479700) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:26 GMT, in reply to westie in message 11
Westie, the good news can be that even with a pre-detaching retina, you can live with it for years and years - mine has barely evolved in 20 years, but my ophthalmologist still does an in-depth examination of the retina yearly.
Opticians/optometrists may be good but they are not doctors and cannot and should not diagnose certain pathologies.
You only have one pair of eyes and taking a risk with them can have consequences far beyond losing an afternoon waiting in an ophthalic A&E.
Please go today. -
Message 14
Posted by Westsussexbird or Birdy aka Westie (U6316532) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
BP 108.72 and 104.69. Pulse 69.
EYore, I do hear you, I really do.
My husband has made the tea while I did my BP and I've told him I'm chatting on line to you guys and we'll decide what to do together. He has depression and isn't at all well at the moment, DD1/SIL are away and I just need to think about this.
If miladou is around I'd like to know what a field test is ... is that what I have to test for glaucoma .. which my mother had. Little spots appear and you have to push a button?
It's a judgement call .. it's Sunday ... whether to wait til the morning and go through channels we are familiar with or to start making enquiries today. -
Message 15
Posted by Westsussexbird or Birdy aka Westie (U6316532) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
OK we're hitting the phone to try and find a suitable A&E.
:0)) -
Message 16
Posted by Lindy (U9525153) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
I developed floaters and flashers about six months ago. Went immediately to my optician, and was reassured that it was just a symptom of aging, can't quite remember the long name she gave it : ))
Hope you get seen to pdq at A&E.
Lindyx -
Message 17
Posted by Westsussexbird or Birdy aka Westie (U6316532) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Lindy we too were told it is a usual symptom of ageing and it is good to know that you were able to say with confidence that you had flashers at that time ... I wasn't able to and only became sure I had flashers last night ... hence my increased nervousness about this.
Someone called a clinician from Harmony is ringing me back! -
Message 18
Posted by GEm (U4356909) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
westie
i have low bp too and I find I get these when my BP is particularly low or I get up suddenly then they can last a day or two. Please make sure you tell the hospital guy you have low BP as this might be the underlying issue
No not fun getting older, everything takes longer to get started in a morning and some things need rebores!
G -
Message 19
Posted by Westsussexbird or Birdy aka Westie (U6316532) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Thanks Gem.
Just had boiled egg and toast brought to me in bed by OH :0)
I could get used to this ... -
Message 20
Posted by Sister Primrose of the Red Tinsel Flag (U5405579) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Westie,
one other thought about the flashes. I had a visual disturbance episode a couple of years ago, kept seeing neon blue zig zags and triangles in my peripheral vision. Went to the Doctors surgery straight away and got an immediate referral to the Eye Pavillion where it was diagnosed as a visual migraine. I was sent home to lie down and rest.
There was absolutely no pain whatsoever (I used to get migraines when I was younger and found it hard to believe that this could be a migraine) but right enough the next day I was completely washed out as one is following a more traditional migraine. Never happened since, but I wonder whather this might be some kind of stress thing.
PP -
Message 21
Posted by chicken_hot_pot (U8480346) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Just popping in to make sure westie is OK. Can't give any advice othr than hope that the A&E person can help.
Thinking of you though. :O)) -
Message 22
Posted by Westsussexbird or Birdy aka Westie (U6316532) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Thanks PP and chicken ..
I had read about that PP ... what a complicated business this is.
Well Harmony has just rung back and listened carefully to what I said and has advised me which A&E to go to ... so we are off in about an hour.
Thanks everyone.
Over and out for now. -
Message 23
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
I have all the bells and whistles tests each year. Like Reggie, I have only one good eye which works properly, the other one does just it's poor best. Have had floaters and flashes and thus far it seems there is nothing to fret about.
I had trouble with a weepy eye, the good one. One job's comforter* said I would have a needle inserted in the tear duct to clear a blockage. The idea of a needle anywhere that eye freaked me out. My opthamologist suggested trying a hot damp face cloth pressed to the eye each morning for a few minutes and that did the trick. Repeated as required.
* not a professional person, I hasten to add. -
Message 24
Posted by Fire-Pig - proud to wave the protest banner (U12231213) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Hope the A&E sort you out, Westie - I missed all the drama of your wondering what to do. We have both had floaters but not the flashes.
I look forward to reading your words of wisdom again very soon.
F-P -
Message 25
Posted by HamsterMama aka nifty-fifty (U14121030) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:24 GMT, in reply to Fire-Pig in message 24
Just popping in to say I have had floaters for years - sometimes quite noticeable others not. Don't get flashes tho'.
) {{{{{hug}}}}} -
Message 26
Posted by Lindy (U9525153) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Hope to get good news from you soon Westie : ))
Lindyx -
Message 27
Posted by Emma - no relation (U2818673) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Glad you've gone off to A&E, Westie, and hope (a) all is well and (b) you don't have to spend the whole day there.
I developed flashes one day last year while driving - my first thought was that what I could see was a reflection of sun off the chrome on another car. Having been warned previously by an optician that flashes need investigating pronto, I took myself off to the local eye hospital. It was a posterior vitreous detachment. [Squeamish alert] As you get older, particularly if you are shortsighted, the jelly in your eye contracts and the back of your eyeball peels off the retina. The risk is that the peeling tears the retina, but if not, once the process is complete there is no further cause for alarm (but you want to get it properly checked to confirm that). Having had it in one eye makes it more likely you will get it in the other.
I was told that it was not a blue light in the middle of the night emergency, but a go to hospital first thing in the morning job. but obviously, as a layman, you can't be certain what is going on (when mine happened I had to drive home expecting to go blind in one eye on the spot) and an expert needs to see it. My optician said eye hospital (or equivalent), not optician.
Hope all is well.
ENR -
Message 28
Posted by Westsussexbird or Birdy aka Westie (U6316532) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Well, Harmony recommended we went to an A&E with an opthalmic department attached to it, which we duly did.
After having a look the doctor said that basically the flashing and additional 'grey curtains' that have appeared (in addition to the original floater) are to be expected at this early stage and should settle down over a 6 week period. If the grey curtain stops moving and goes dark then that is a sign to take seriously.
Interestingly it seems very difficult to find out from the internet what qualifications the staff at
opticians have ... I think that is something we will look into for the future.
I intend to ring our opticians in the morning and tell them what has happened.
So thanks everyone and for now I shall stop worrying about this. -
Message 29
Posted by Emma - no relation (U2818673) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Oh yes, and I have floaters too. I've had a particularly large one in that eye for a couple of years. It has now either reduced in size or gone and been replaced by a smaller one. Neither the optician nor the eye doctor was concerned.
ENR -
Message 30
Posted by Westsussexbird or Birdy aka Westie (U6316532) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
I've read everything you have all written since I began typing my latest ... it is all very very helpful and adds to the sum of our knowledge.
Please accept a collective thankyou :0)) I'm tired.
The A&E Department couldn't have been nicer for which I was thankful. -
Message 31
Posted by Westsussexbird or Birdy aka Westie (U6316532) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Thanks Emma. I've seen your last post.
:0)) -
Message 32
Posted by Fire-Pig - proud to wave the protest banner (U12231213) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
So glad to hear that you are back safely, Westie and that it should all settle down, our eyes are so precious.
F-P -
Message 33
Posted by Lady Trudie Tilney Glorfindel Maldini (U2222312) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
AFAIK Westie there are optometrists (aka ophthalmic opticians), who do the eye tests, and dispensing opticians, who do supply and fit of glasses etc but not the eye tests. I would imagine if someone at the optician's examined your eyes he/she would be an optometrist. They are trained to check for eye diseases but would need to refer something like a possible retinal detachment onto the hospital ophthlmology department to be further investigated and treated if needed.
I did a stint in an eye department (as a very junior junior) and flashes/grey curtains would certainly have had me ringing for the senior medics. Glad you got it sorted, at least you know now - are they following you up at the hospital? -
Message 34
Posted by Westsussexbird or Birdy aka Westie (U6316532) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
No further need to return to that hospital Ermintrude, but they suggested I get back to the optician this week to make sure they are aware and to have a further check that all that is happening is as they expect ... ie no tearing due to detachment.
-
Message 35
Posted by chicken_hot_pot (U8480346) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
So pleased to hear that it isn't anything more serious. :O)
Probably horrible to have to start with - by the sound of it, but it seems to either get easier to deal with or go. From what everyone else has written.
Have a restful evening westie. A&E's are not peaceful places.
chicken. -
Message 36
Posted by Westsussexbird or Birdy aka Westie (U6316532) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
chicken, we deliberately didn't go til early afternoon to give them a chance to calm down after Saturday night! Because the hospital has an opthalmic department there were lads with eye injuries from sport encounters, and anxious mothers looking on!
As I said, the staff were delightful. -
Message 37
Posted by Emma - no relation (U2818673) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Glad to see the news is reassuring. I will try and remember the stuff about grey curtains for my other eye.
Now, away from the computer with you and have a restful evening. You've got more than your fair share of stress in your life at the moment. Scented bath? Music? Radio?
Sleep well.
ENR -
Message 38
Posted by chicken_hot_pot (U8480346) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Well done westie & MrWestie, missed rush hour traffic at A&E. :O)
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Message 39
Posted by Westsussexbird or Birdy aka Westie (U6316532) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
:0)
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Message 40
Posted by Fire-Pig - proud to wave the protest banner (U12231213) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Something to make you laugh, I once had a fright with my eyes. It was a busy Bank Holiday weekend and I had had a bad day at work. I wanted to relax with some embroidery before going to bed (it was pre-ML!). Try as I did I just could not focus on my work. Well I was going blind, how could my sight have deteriorated so quickly etc etc. Nothing for it, I would have to go to bed, put my hand up to take off my glasses and my finger went right through the hole where one lens should have been! No wonder I couldn't focus! I even found the lens unbroken. Strange thing is, I normally take my glasses off by the arm and my fingers wouldn't have gone anywhere near the lens area.
F-P -
Message 41
Posted by Lindy (U9525153) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Glad that you have been reassured Westie
Lindyx -
Message 42
Posted by Miladou bloody but unbowed (U3518248) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Same here, Westie. Sorry I didn't get back earlier - we've had visitors all day. The field test is the one you described, btw.
Really good you could get the reassurance you needed even at the weekend.
The only other thing I would say to everyone is to repeat some advice given to my mum several years ago by a medic - that you should never automatically put anything down to oldsge without getting it checked out first. I'm now at the stage where I have to keep reminding myself of this! -
Message 43
Posted by HamsterMama aka nifty-fifty (U14121030) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:02 GMT, in reply to miladou in message 42
Ìý
Several years ago now, I was at the optician's for a check-up when he asked me if I'd noticed any changes. I replied that I was finding it harder to read the ingredients on things in the shops. He turned to look at me over the top of glasses and said, " *That*, /Miss/ /Xyz/, is your *age*!"
I don't go to that place anymore.
Nfx -
Message 44
Posted by Shirley Knott (U14164156) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Pleased I've happened upon this thread.
I too have numerous floaters, but no flashes.
Optician sent me straight to A&E in the eye dept. After many tests I was diagnosed with something called Drusen. It was explained to me as the tiny hole at the back of the eye socket, where the optic nerve goes through, getting clogged up, and putting pressure on the nerve.
No treatment or cure but I eat lots of yellow food for lutein in the hope of delaying the effects.
Consultant has now discharged me but I have to go for eye tests more often.
Comforting to read your experiences. (I hope that comes across right - I'm no ghoul! ) -
Message 45
Posted by stolenkisses (U6230663) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Pleased it all turned out not to be too worrying. I have had floaters all my life, and was recently referred to a hospital eye department for another reason by my optician, who is *very* cautious. The doctor there mentioned said I had a lot of floaters, which surprised me because I have barely noticed them for many years.
One thing that my optician always mentions - and I have heard this on the radio too - is that there is some evidence that a high intake of spinach can protect your eyes and even reverse to some extent degenerative changes. The suggested dose was three helpings per week iirc.
Might be worth a try. I always intend to do this, and then let it slip, but reminded by this thread I will start again.
sk -
Message 46
Posted by Westsussexbird or Birdy aka Westie (U6316532) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Fire-Pig what a fright you must have had! And yes, you made me laugh :0)) I feel as if I am in a car with a dirty windscreen but the bits of dirt keep dashing across the windscreen each time you look in a different direction and then drop slowly down when you keep your eyes still because you are focusing on something. Most odd.
miladou thankyou for confirming what the field test is ..
Brick-Train I don't think we've 'met' so hello :0) Thanks for your experiences and thankyou everyone who has helped me get through today in a better frame of mind than I would have otherwise. It has also been a great help to my OH. He told the doctor that "some friends" have suggested we should get seen ..... :0))) -
Message 47
Posted by Westsussexbird or Birdy aka Westie (U6316532) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
spinach it is then stolenkisses ... we always used to add some to our salad each day but stopped when Tesburys weren't able to supply small leaves ... it is terrible how if you stop doing something you don't start again. I don't much care for the taste of it in a salad in that it doesn't add to the overall wellbeing of the salad, but heck .... it might help and it wont do any harm.
I've put vit B12 on the shopping list too ....
Thanks. -
Message 48
Posted by HamsterMama aka nifty-fifty (U14121030) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:09 GMT, in reply to westie in message 47
Without getting up and going into the kitchen to check, I *think* I am right in saying there is vitamin B12 in Marmite. Of course, if you don't like Marmite that's not much use!
I can't stand cooked spinach - apart from my friend's spinach tartlets - but I quite like the baby leaves uncooked in salad or in a sandwich.
Westie, what a great response you have received from this thread today.
I am glad Mr. Westie thinks of us as friends.
Night night,
nifty-fifty -
Message 49
Posted by Westsussexbird or Birdy aka Westie (U6316532) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
night night Nifty ;00
-
Message 50
Posted by Westsussexbird or Birdy aka Westie (U6316532) on Sunday, 25th October 2009
A dreadful advertisement with angels flying though at the end of it .... not sure what that is about!
But yes, vit B12. I like marmite.
:0)
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