Yesterday I saw floaters in one of my eyes. At first I thought I could get it out with water. After sleeping the night it's still there this morning. A few years ago I started seeing flashing lights in the peripheral on the same eye perhaps 2 or 3 times a year that would last about 30 minutes. Does anyone else experience this? Particularly floaters in the eye. How are you managing this?
Floaters in the eye
- Thread starter bmwquay
- Start date
You should definitely make an appointment to see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. When I have eye exams the optometrist tells me that if ever I see floaters to get it checked.
Floaters in the eye can be broken blood vessels. It can happen to anyone. That said, broken blood vessels can also be a symptom of diabetes. (This is how I was diagnosed). I highly suggest that you make an appointment with an eye dr to have that checked out. My floaters were zapped with a laser and have gone away.
In my last appointment with my optometrist a year and a half ago I did mention the episodes of flashing lights to him. He speculated it could be temporary detachment of the retina but nothing came of it and he continued with his exam including dilating the pupil. After the exam I left feeling I have nothing to be concerned with since he didn't offer anything else.
By the way, how do you know you have PVD? Is this something your optometrist found through a regular eye checkup?
I've only had it for one day now. I suppose it could get worse and have more floaters in future but first seeing this was very concerning. A bit distracting since I'm always seeing it.
See your optometrist asap. I had a sudden bout of floaters about 15 years ago. Lots of them. When I was on the golf course on a sunny day they appeared like insects buzzing around me.
I immediately went to see my optometrist who told me I had a hole in the retina of my left eye.
He sent me to a specialist to do a laser repair, which was almost painless. Since then the occasional tiny floater, but nothing problematical. I do see my optometrist once a year, and he says my retina is fine, and the repair is holding up well.
As the old joke goes, but a true story in my case, I found if I rubbed my eye hard in the morning I sometimes would see a flash. The optometrist, after checking to ensure my optic nerve was fine, said "don't rub your eye hard..." lol
Floaters with time go away, the brain adjusts. I woke up one day having them after taking antibiotics.. The flashes are called aura, they come with headaches or migraines, if you never had them before I would see a neurologist, just to see nothing is happening . You can either weait for the aura to go or take some Tylenol the second you start seeing them.
Floaters are normal but you should get your eyes checked out once every 2 years if you have no problems.
As for the flashing lights, it could be retina related or an ocular migraine. They start as a small dot in the center of your vision, then get bigger. They take on a crescent shape jagged edges and bright colours. They work their way outwards until they're gone. They're harmless.
This is what they look like.
2 things you should never seek when coming to TERB.
1) Medical advice
2) Legal advice.
1) Medical advice
2) Legal advice.
The floaters are normal, as long as they stay small. The flashing lights sound concerning.
Try and see one every 2 years or more frequently as required. She found a small "break" in my retina and did the laser surgery on the spot to fix it.
"An ophthalmologist is a medical or osteopathic doctor who specializes in eye and vision care12. They complete 12 to 13 years of training and education, and are licensed to practice medicine and surgery1. This advanced training allows ophthalmologists to diagnose and treat a wider range of conditions than optometrists and opticians1."
"An ophthalmologist is a medical or osteopathic doctor who specializes in eye and vision care12. They complete 12 to 13 years of training and education, and are licensed to practice medicine and surgery1. This advanced training allows ophthalmologists to diagnose and treat a wider range of conditions than optometrists and opticians1."
Flashing lights are a definite symptom of a retina problem, most likely it has detached. I have had one 20 yrs ago and it was repaired and I have had no further problems. Make an app't right away or if it gets worse go to emergency at a big hospital as they will have eye doctors on call.
Last edited:
One floater, every so often not a big deal. 3 or 4 floaters or flashes of light, run to your opthomoligist the same day! It could be the beginning of a detached retina. If it looks like a black drape coming down accross your field of vision, your retina is detaching. Go same day to a retina specialist. https://www.nebraskamed.com/eye-care/eye-floaters-what-causes-them-and-when-to-see-a-doctor
Go see an eye doctor immediately, it could be serious. Worst thing that could happen if you don't, and it's too late: you will become blind for the rest of your life. Unless you're okay with that, I'd suggest you immediatel go to the ER or your doctor.
Eye floaters - Symptoms and causes
www.mayoclinic.org
If you notice a sudden increase in eye floaters, contact an eye specialist immediately — especially if you also see light flashes or lose your vision. These can be symptoms of an emergency that requires prompt attention.
When to see a doctor
Contact an eye specialist immediately if you notice:
- Many more eye floaters than usual
- A sudden onset of new floaters
- Flashes of light in the same eye as the floaters
- A gray curtain or blurry area that blocks part of your vision
- Darkness on a side or sides of your vision (peripheral vision loss)
Your retina could be teared, and you need to get this treated IMMEDIATELY!!!! There is a good chance you will be blind for the rest of your life if you don't seek immediate medical attention. Call telehealth now at least to see what they say.
Last edited:
Don’t fuck around. Know a couple people that have had these symptoms and had a retinal detachment. See Dr asap. An optometrist could diagnose but can’t treat. Need to see ophthalmologist if you have a detachment.
Not always. See my post #11. It's quite common.
But yes, one should seek medical attention to be sure.
