artist Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 I've got a floater in my eye - a black dot which seems to be in front of the pupil. I did a search and came up with the start of a 'detached retina' :o ???Can't believe it's that serious. I have heard that it's quite common. How long can I expect it to stay?Should I go to the doctors? - or will I be wasting his time. No other symptoms at all.Anyone had experience with this sort of thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 You know in your own mind really that you should have this checked out. Go to the optician, he/she is better equipped that the doctor to see right into the eye. I went once with a red area in my eye, not thinking it was much. In fact it wasn't but the optician did spot an early case of glaucoma, which was treated at a very early stage. You only have one pair of eyes and they are precious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 I've had floaters in my eyes for almost as long as I can remember - not just the one but several. They come and go. Sometimes I notice them (like I'm doing now) other times I don't think about it until a particularly large one comes into my line of vision. I'll reveal that I have glaucoma but the floaters are little or nothing to do with that.Do NOT believe what you have read that these are necessarily an indication of a detached retina. A detached retina results in you seeing less, not more.You must get it checked out though, just to make sure and to reassure yourself as to what it is. Either go to your GP or to an ophthalmic optician for an eye examination. Don't go to one of these while-you-wait glassess supermarkets - their function is to supply glasses, not to specifically look after the health of your eyes. Yes, OK, they give a perfunctory eye examination but what you really want is someone with medical knowledge.If it is glaucoma (not suggesting it is) then it is vital to get urgent treatment to stop you going blind. My glaucoma was known about long before it came to affect my sight and the medication I take doubles up as keeping my blood pressure and heart in order so there's no need to panic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted February 14, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 Yes I DO know that I need to get this checked - but I hate making a mountain out if a molehill........I'll go to the docs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 The important thing in this question is 'peace of mind', don't worry about mountains and molehills. If your doctor has any sense, he will automatically suggest a visit to an optician. As pops says, go to a proper optician, not a pretend one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don't ask Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 I agree !Go and get peace of mind artist- you don't want to end up peering at everything (like I do).I would suggest doc first though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparks Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 Don't worry about it artist but do go and get it checked out. I've had one for years and it's never been mentioned by the optician on my annual check ups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 Artist, please do go and see an optician. Don't worry too much. I've got floaters, they come and go. Was told by my Optician that they are just dead cells. Our Optician now does an annual photograph of our eyes - costs £10. This results in a permanent record especially of the back of the eye. Its amazing what can be determined especially for any changes. If required even my own GP can view them by e-mail - with my permission. This seems to be a big step forward in medical health. I was worried about the floaters. You can sort of see them but when you try to look at them they move, can be annoying but you soon get used to them and are easily ignored. Can't emphasis enough to got to an Optician. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuzzman Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 Ummm... I've had these so-called "floaters" for as long as I can remember... Never thought they could be a real problem and that they were just normal...I think I'll schedule an appointment as well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deuces wild Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 Good luck to you Artist....please let us know the results of your check-up. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted February 15, 2005 Report Share Posted February 15, 2005 General consensus??? Go woman, go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted February 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2005 I'm a-going - this morning! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted February 15, 2005 Report Share Posted February 15, 2005 I'm a-going - this morning! :DBest of luck, it's probably nothing to worry about, and that's what I hope. better safe than sorry though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuzzman Posted February 15, 2005 Report Share Posted February 15, 2005 I'm a-going - this morning! :Dartist - I wish you the best of luck. Please do tell us how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted February 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2005 Doc was concerned about my Blood pressure (not all that high) - you can see where this is going - Had a friend who had a problem in his eye which turned out to be a burst blood vessel.Anyway, I'm having a thorough eye test on friday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted February 15, 2005 Report Share Posted February 15, 2005 In 1999 I was taken ill and my blood pressure was so high that it couldn't be measured on the machine the ambulance crew had.I'm still alive so, panic not :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted February 15, 2005 Report Share Posted February 15, 2005 Eye eye eye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djohn Posted February 15, 2005 Report Share Posted February 15, 2005 I'm sure all will be well artist as other say. I too have loads of little black spots floating around in both eyes, they don't bother me now and I don't notice them unless I look for them.I also have just had an eye test at the hospital because optician noticed something not quite right with my right eye. They found some pitting of the nerve at the rear, took a photo, put me on yet another pill and I have to return every six months for photo's to be taken. :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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