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Post by Fidget on Mar 27, 2023 14:38:36 GMT
On Saturday I started having eye floaters in my right eye, then yesterday I noticed bright thin flashes in the same eye along with the floaters. The flashers are not constant maybe every 30 minutes or so. I called an ophthalmologist and can not get in until next week. Of course Dr. Google is telling me I could have a torn or detached retina and I should get immediate medical treatment. I would love an opinion from a medical professional or someone who has had this happen to them. I'm not sure if I should call around to other ophthalmologists for a quicker appointment or wait it out. Any opinions? TIA
UPDATE- Thanks Everyone for all of your great suggestions. I don't have a regular ophthalmologist; I typically see an optometrist which I think is why I had trouble finding someone to see me quickly. After quite a few phone calls I did find someone to see me on Wednesday Morning at 8:00 AM! I was able to speak with someone at that office and based on our conversation, he assured me that it would be fine to wait until Wednesday to be seen.
UPDATE from the appt with the ophthalmologist - Old age is setting in. The gel that is in the eye is beginning to liquify, nothing to be alarmed about, the flashes have subsided, the floaters will come and go forever. I'm very relieved. Thanks for thinking of me.
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
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Post by pantsonfire on Mar 27, 2023 14:40:17 GMT
Can you call your PCP and see if they can get you in quicker with a medical based ophthalmologist? When I say medical based, I mean one associated with your medical group if they have one or hospital.
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pantsonfire
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Post by pantsonfire on Mar 27, 2023 14:46:19 GMT
You could also call and ask to speak with your ophthalmologist when they have a moment to see if it is serious or can wait.
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Post by ntsf on Mar 27, 2023 14:49:51 GMT
go to emergency room.. that's what I was told when that happens
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Post by monklady123 on Mar 27, 2023 14:57:19 GMT
My retina specialist has told me that flashing lights are a reason to call her emergency line. So in your situation I would go to an urgent care place or to the ER.
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lavawalker1
Full Member
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Jul 9, 2021 21:41:57 GMT
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Post by lavawalker1 on Mar 27, 2023 14:57:22 GMT
I had the same thing happen to me a few months ago. My eye Dr squeezed me in that day, dilated my eyes and saw two tears in my retina. She told me that I needed to have laser surgery immediately. Kaiser squeezed me in and I had surgery within 2 hours.
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Post by twinks on Mar 27, 2023 14:59:59 GMT
Get to the ER right now. Or if you can get into your Ophthalmologist now, I would do that. A detached retina isn’t anything to wait on as it could get worse.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Mar 27, 2023 15:03:22 GMT
I've always been told to call my eye doctor immediately with those symptoms and they have always gotten me in same day. Since you called on Saturday, you may have gotten an answering service. Call back this morning and ask to speak to your eye doctor's nurse. If that doesn't work, then head for the ER would be my suggestion. I wouldn't bother with one of the urgent care places unless they are attached to a local facility with multiple specialities (Kaiser etc).
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Post by mrgiedrnkr on Mar 27, 2023 15:41:09 GMT
I was diagnosed with a minor retinal hole and she told me that if I had your symptoms, I should go to the ER immediately.
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Post by austnscrapaddict on Mar 27, 2023 15:49:43 GMT
I had this happen a few weeks ago, it started on a Friday, I called the emergency line for my eye dr/surgeon ( I had retinal implants a couple of years ago and now having my annual exams at the same practice) An on-call surgeon called me back, asked me several questions, and since I wasn't having any loss of vision or blind spots, he said I was safe to wait until Monday, I got into my surgeon on Monday afternoon, They dilated my eyes, did several tests and close examination. The outcome was that I had Visceral tissue had come loose, but no retinal tear. He said that if it ever happens again, to do the same as I did this time, It should always be checked to make sure there isn't a tear.
So, Call your eye dr and insist on an appt or a speedy referral to an eye surgeon !
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Post by littlemama on Mar 27, 2023 15:51:38 GMT
Did you try your optometrist? If you dont have one or cant get in to see them, go to the ER.
When I pinched my own eyeball last fall (yes it hurt, yes it looked awful), my optometrist was able to look and see that there was no damage. I had to finesse my way into the appointment, but they got me in.
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GiantsFan
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Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Mar 27, 2023 15:52:39 GMT
I had a similar experience last fall with the floaters and flashes. I went to the Urgent Care for my regular medical clinic and they did a (very) basic eye exam and referred me to an Ophthalmologist who had me come in the next day. (which made me anxious) After the eye exam I was dx with Posterior Vitreous Detachment. It's when the gel in your eye detaches from the retina. Nothing to do about it. It's a "normal process of aging" and does not cause vision loss.
Don't go by my diagnosis though. Please go to your urgent care or where ever you can get referred to an Ophthalmologist.
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Post by lisae on Mar 27, 2023 15:59:16 GMT
I've had floaters and flashes in both eyes, as did my dad and my husband. In all cases it wasn't a problem that needed treatment but it could have been. I can't believe they are making you wait a week. I have a relative who did have a detached retina and had to have surgery. Call back to your othamologist and be more insistent about getting seen.
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luckyjune
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Post by luckyjune on Mar 27, 2023 16:41:30 GMT
My glaucoma specialist told me flashes and lots of floaters are a reason to act. I'd go get it checked out. Better safe than sorry.
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Post by ~summer~ on Mar 27, 2023 16:42:13 GMT
I’m pretty sure this is an emergency. Your retina could be detaching.
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scrappinghappy
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Post by scrappinghappy on Mar 27, 2023 17:06:49 GMT
Honestly... I wouldn't wait no matter what that dr or their staff told you
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Post by littlemama on Mar 27, 2023 18:28:20 GMT
On Saturday I started having eye floaters in my right eye, then yesterday I noticed bright thin flashes in the same eye along with the floaters. The flashers are not constant maybe every 30 minutes or so. I called an ophthalmologist and can not get in until next week. Of course Dr. Google is telling me I could have a torn or detached retina and I should get immediate medical treatment. I would love an opinion from a medical professional or someone who has had this happen to them. I'm not sure if I should call around to other ophthalmologists for a quicker appointment or wait it out. Any opinions? TIA UPDATE- Thanks Everyone for all of your great suggestions. I don't have a regular ophthalmologist; I typically see an optometrist which I think is why I had trouble finding someone to see me quickly. After quite a few phone calls I did find someone to see me on Wednesday Morning at 8:00 AM! I was able to speak with someone at that office and based on our conversation, he assured me that it would be fine to wait until Wednesday to be seen. Your optometrist would have been able to take a look, too |
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peppermintpatty
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Refupea #1345
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Post by peppermintpatty on Mar 28, 2023 12:13:19 GMT
I have had the same thing happen and it wasn't my retina detaching, it was Central Serous Retinopathy. I don't know if that is what you have but for me, it gets worse when I am stressed and it takes months to resolve. It is really exacerbated by any steroids so I have to be really careful to not use them. So many things have it in them, even novacaine! Whenever I get a floater, I will lose a tiny pixel of my vision. It may come back or it may not but I compensate and don't really notice.
If you want to really know what is going on, you need to see a retina specialist.
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Post by Ellie on Mar 28, 2023 12:42:27 GMT
I had something similar happen - twice, actually - and thought for sure, both times, that it was detaching retinas. It ended up being vitreous detachments, which are very common. I just had them much younger than most (common in ages 50+ and I was 35 & 40). I was told that vitreous detachments are usually not serious, though annoying due to floaters. Sometimes, though, there can be complications that can lead to retinal tears and then retinal detachments. Hopefully that's all you have going on! Best of luck!  |
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maryannscraps
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Post by maryannscraps on Mar 28, 2023 13:46:55 GMT
I’m glad you can get in soon. I had this a few years ago, and it was very disconcerting. Let me recommend that you have someone drive you to the appointment. They will be dilating your eyes, and if on the off chance it is a retinal tear, they will probably do the laser surgery. I was surprised by that and had to wait around for a while until my eyes settled enough to drive.
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Post by scraplette on Mar 28, 2023 13:56:35 GMT
Hope you find answers and quick healing tomorrow!
This is something I’ll file under Things Learned from Peas, and remember to act not wait if it happens here. Thank you for question!
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Post by Scrapper100 on Mar 28, 2023 21:32:25 GMT
I hope you get good news tomorrow. I had this happen and freaked out. I had to be referred to a dr so had to go to urgent care and then go from there. The UC dr said it’s most likely just part of getting older but put in a referral. I went in and no detachment but was told to call and come in if it happens again. It’s scary that’s for sure. Hoping all is well with you.
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Post by trixiecat on Mar 29, 2023 1:26:31 GMT
Wishing you the best of luck. My husband had floaters and saw his eye doctor. They told him to come back in two weeks for a follow up. When he did the doctor (who is a surgeon) ask him if his wife was available for the evening. Eight hours later (at 11 pm) he was in the ER fixing his detached retina.
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Post by elaine on Mar 29, 2023 10:08:14 GMT
I hope that all goes well for you this morning!
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MerryMom
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by MerryMom on Mar 30, 2023 13:00:13 GMT
Fidget, I hope you are okay.
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Post by Scrapper100 on Mar 30, 2023 17:13:27 GMT
I was hoping to see an update. I hope all is well.
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kate
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Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
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Post by kate on Mar 30, 2023 17:21:46 GMT
Thinking of you, too. Hope all is well.
I have had to rush in for emergency appointments with these symptoms, and though mine turned out not to be tears, the docs told me to do the same (come in urgently) if I have flashers again.
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Post by bbkeef on Apr 3, 2023 13:17:34 GMT
Fidget how are you doing?
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Post by sideways on Apr 3, 2023 15:28:53 GMT
I hope all is well. It sounds like you had a vitreous detachment that tore your retina. I’m surprised they had you wait a few days. While not an emergency, a torn retina is urgent. It should be repaired as soon as possible so it doesn’t lead to a retinal detachment. I’ve had vitreous detachments in both eyes. Both times, a retina specialist saw me within 24 hours.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Apr 3, 2023 15:32:28 GMT
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