1. < Eye Conditions

Slow degradation of my vision. Seeing a retina specialist

Posted by Bonita @bonitav, May 19, 2015

After a slow degradation of my vision, especially close as in computer usage, saw optician and after eye exam, received new lenses. Not much improvement, so I scheduled appointment with an ophthalmologist, who diagnosed very dry eyes, but with bleeding behind the retina in my left eye. Referred me to a retina specialist whom I see tomorrow. Any ideas what could be causing this other than retina detachment? About two years ago, had laser treatment for floaters. Wonder if this is related to that procedure. Can this also be related to a vascular problem? Thanks!

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 22, 2018
In reply to @gailb "I have been reading the posts on this thread because 2 weeks ago I was sitting..." + (show)
@gailb

I have been reading the posts on this thread because 2 weeks ago I was sitting outside enjoying the view in the evening, and had a sudden feeling that I had something in my left eye. When I searched in the mirror, I couldn't find anything. The next morning, I saw a rather large black circle that followed my eye movements, so I made an appointment with my opthamologist. He dilated my eyes, tested my pressure, and did a thorough exam. He said I have a floater in my eye that is probably the result of my vitreous gel breaking down as a natural part of aging. He made an appointment for 2 weeks out and I went home feeling relieved. Then, about a week later, my eyesight suddenly worsened and seemed to have a cloud that was in my sight. I returned for another exam, telling the eye doctor I have a very active imagination so perhaps nothing had changed. After the exam he told me that in fact the vitrious gel had definately pulled away from the back of my eye. He said I was fine and that no retinal tear showed up. He made an appointment for 1 month out.

It's been 2 weeks since this all started, and my left eye is getting worse. I can't focus well at all, and the cloudy area is there all the time. I feel as if I am looking through a fine white porous screen. Also, there are more black floaters in my left eye now, although these are much smaller than the first one that I can see all the time now. I'm trying to research if this is just part of the vitrious gel separation, or if something worse is going on. I'm worried as I have lots of painting and drawing I want to do now that I'm retired. I don't know if I should wait another 3 weeks before I see the doctor, or if I need to go to a retinal specialist. I don't want to go blind, which as someone else said here, is a very scary thing to consider. It never occurred to me that I would have problems with my eyesight as I got older.

I have T2 diabetes, insulin dependent with an A1c of 6.8 - 7.3 at my tests. I have had cataract surgery in both eyes 3 years ago. Otherwise I'm pretty darned healthy. If anyone has experience with this type of occurance or knows of research in this area, please let me know. I will continue looking through Mayo papers, and other research on my own as well.

Thanks, Gail
Volunteer Mentor

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Hello @gailb

I agree with @rosemarya call the doctor's office in the morning and let them know how things are changing. You can do all the research you want to, but a doctor is the best judge of what is going on. I'll be thinking about you.
I look forward to hearing what you find out. Wishing you well!

Teresa

REPLY
GailBL, Alumni Mentor | @gailb | Jul 22, 2018
In reply to @gailb "I have been reading the posts on this thread because 2 weeks ago I was sitting..." + (show)
@gailb

I have been reading the posts on this thread because 2 weeks ago I was sitting outside enjoying the view in the evening, and had a sudden feeling that I had something in my left eye. When I searched in the mirror, I couldn't find anything. The next morning, I saw a rather large black circle that followed my eye movements, so I made an appointment with my opthamologist. He dilated my eyes, tested my pressure, and did a thorough exam. He said I have a floater in my eye that is probably the result of my vitreous gel breaking down as a natural part of aging. He made an appointment for 2 weeks out and I went home feeling relieved. Then, about a week later, my eyesight suddenly worsened and seemed to have a cloud that was in my sight. I returned for another exam, telling the eye doctor I have a very active imagination so perhaps nothing had changed. After the exam he told me that in fact the vitrious gel had definately pulled away from the back of my eye. He said I was fine and that no retinal tear showed up. He made an appointment for 1 month out.

It's been 2 weeks since this all started, and my left eye is getting worse. I can't focus well at all, and the cloudy area is there all the time. I feel as if I am looking through a fine white porous screen. Also, there are more black floaters in my left eye now, although these are much smaller than the first one that I can see all the time now. I'm trying to research if this is just part of the vitrious gel separation, or if something worse is going on. I'm worried as I have lots of painting and drawing I want to do now that I'm retired. I don't know if I should wait another 3 weeks before I see the doctor, or if I need to go to a retinal specialist. I don't want to go blind, which as someone else said here, is a very scary thing to consider. It never occurred to me that I would have problems with my eyesight as I got older.

I have T2 diabetes, insulin dependent with an A1c of 6.8 - 7.3 at my tests. I have had cataract surgery in both eyes 3 years ago. Otherwise I'm pretty darned healthy. If anyone has experience with this type of occurance or knows of research in this area, please let me know. I will continue looking through Mayo papers, and other research on my own as well.

Thanks, Gail
Volunteer Mentor

Jump to this post

Thanks to both you and Teresa for your advice. I will take it and let you know what happens.
Gail
Volunteer Mentor

REPLY
GailBL, Alumni Mentor | @gailb | Jul 22, 2018
In reply to @pedie "A doctor friend of mine says that if you want good medical care, you have to..." + (show)
@pedie

A doctor friend of mine says that if you want good medical care, you have to fight for it. I have spent more than six months searching for a solution to my eye problems--finally found an ophthalmologist who acknowledged that I had a problem and made an appointment for me with a neuro opthalmologist. Now I must wait till Oct. but I feel he will be the one to solve the problem. Don't wait--your eyesight is so important. Find the right medical care.

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@pedie

Thank you for your encouragement. I'm calling my ophthalmologist tomorrow morning. I'll report back.
Gail
Volunteer Mentor

REPLY
Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Jul 22, 2018
In reply to @pedie "A doctor friend of mine says that if you want good medical care, you have to..." + (show)
@pedie

A doctor friend of mine says that if you want good medical care, you have to fight for it. I have spent more than six months searching for a solution to my eye problems--finally found an ophthalmologist who acknowledged that I had a problem and made an appointment for me with a neuro opthalmologist. Now I must wait till Oct. but I feel he will be the one to solve the problem. Don't wait--your eyesight is so important. Find the right medical care.

Jump to this post

Hi @gailb,

A dear friend of mine experienced almost exact symptoms a few years ago; she sent me this link (Royal College of Ophthalmologists in the U.K.) about a condition known as posterior vitreous detachment:
https://www.rcophth.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2017_Understanding-Posterior-vitreous-detachment.pdf

I've copied some relevant info below:

Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is a condition where your vitreous comes away from the retina at the back of your eye. This detachment is caused by changes in your vitreous gel. PVD isn’t painful and it doesn’t cause sight loss, but you may have symptoms such as seeing floaters (small dark spots or shapes) and flashing lights.
These symptoms will calm down as your brain learns to ignore them. With time, you should be able to see just as well as you could before your PVD started.
The symptoms of PVD are the same as those of a different eye condition called retinal detachment, which needs prompt treatment to stop you losing part or all of the sight in your eye. Because of this, it’s important to have your eyes examined by an ophthalmologist within 24 hours of noticing any symptoms so that an accurate diagnosis can be made.

Let me know if you need more information, or if there's anything else I can do to help.

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 24, 2018

@gailb How is your vision situation? Any answers yet?

Teresa

REPLY
3 replies
Jamie Olson | @jamienolson | Jul 27, 2018

Hello everyone! I'm excited to share todays member spotlight that is all about our dear Rosemary. Enjoy! https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/a-passion-for-transplant-patients-meet-rosemarya-1/

Rosemary, you are delightful and I loved learning more about you today. 🙂

REPLY
GailBL, Alumni Mentor | @gailb | Jul 27, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@gailb How is your vision situation? Any answers yet? Teresa" + (show)
@hopeful33250

@gailb How is your vision situation? Any answers yet?

Teresa

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My eyes have stabilized, so I will wait for my next appointment in a couple of weeks. If things change before then, I'll go in immediately. I'll give an update after I see the doctor. Thanks for everyone supporting me through my fears.

Gail
Volunteer Mentor

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 28, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@gailb How is your vision situation? Any answers yet? Teresa" + (show)
@hopeful33250

@gailb How is your vision situation? Any answers yet?

Teresa

Jump to this post

@gailb We have all supported one another during times of fears. I know how important vision is to us all! Teresa

REPLY
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jul 28, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@gailb How is your vision situation? Any answers yet? Teresa" + (show)
@hopeful33250

@gailb How is your vision situation? Any answers yet?

Teresa

Jump to this post

@gailb, Gail, you are not alone. I was in the retina specialists office on Thursday for my appointment. In one waiting room, I learned from 6 other patients, that each one had a different condition with different symptoms and different treatment protocol.
I send my thoughts and hopes for an continuing improvement/stabilization.

REPLY
Ryman | @ryman | Nov 21, 2018

I have been “seeing” some very weird things. My eye doctor says it is floaters. I have had floaters but nothing even close to tjis. I had cataract surgery and he says some debris has built up on the legt lens. He will laser it next Tuesday. Meantime, I am losing my mind with these “floaters”. Thanks for letting me get this out.

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