Eye Floaters anyone?

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anneshirley
anneshirley Member Posts: 1,110
edited June 2017 in Life After Breast Cancer

I got what is called a "floater" two days ago and went to see an eye doctor yesterday.  Good thing too, as I found out I have no vision in my right eye--I had severely crossed eyes as a child until surgery when I was ten.  As a result I have no depth perception and don't use my eyes together. In effect, I was told that my right eye is doing absolutely nothing.  I thought of the biblical quotation from Matthew:  "And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell." So in one way it's good to know I have something to sacrifice if push comes to shove. Imagine at my venerable age learning that my right eye is good for nothing and never has been, apparently.  No wonder I kept hitting trees, curbs, and telephone trucks when I used to drive. 

Anyway, I still have the floater (in left eye which is the one I use) and it's driving me crazy--I want to keep hitting it away as though it's a fly.  Has anyone on the board had one and what was your experience--i.e., how long did it take to go away, and did it go away?  Thanks for any information, and hope!

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Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2008

    I've had floaters for years.  I'm very nearsighted.  However, about a year ago I experienced different floaters.  It was on a Saturday.  They were in my right eye. So, I finally called the ophthalmologist Saturday eveing.  He did a real good exam.  I had vitreous detachement.  The floaters are still there, but not as bad.  I'll see my ophthalmologist soon...need to make an appointment.  I just knew I had a detached or torn retina!

    Shirley

  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited April 2008

    I had a detached retina when i was in my 20s (I'm seriously nearsighted) and knew the symptoms. Nonetheless, when i had flashes and increased floaters over the winter I freaked out a bit, thinking it might be cancer. Just like Shirley, I had vitreous detachment. I just saw my ophthalmologist again a few days ago. She said this is a natural part of the aging process, but for those of us who are severely nearsighted it occurs earlier. It is really, really important to get it checked out because you don't want to have a detached retina. Mine was repaired successfully, but if the detachment reaches a certain point the vision loss is permanent.







  • Rosemary44
    Rosemary44 Member Posts: 2,660
    edited April 2008

    Anne,

    For floaters that aren't from a serious source, such as detached retina as the ladies are saying, you can try this.

    http://www.livescience.com/health/060925_spinach_amd.html

    Spinach, lightly cooked or raw might be what your looking for...daily.  Yes, daily and organic is preferred.  If your taking any vitamins with zinc, that has to go.

  • snowyday
    snowyday Member Posts: 1,478
    edited April 2008

    Anneshirley sorry to hear about your eye, and floaters are irritating. I've had floaters for a long time and was warned that if I start seeing flashes and get bad pain to get right to the hospital.  When I was told that I was in my invincible stage and ignored the floaters.  I often shake my head to move them it sounds strange but I should deal with them properly.  And now that Anne wrote about detached retina thats what the op warned me about.  So I guess it's another thing to have checked now.  I suppose it's wise to have everything checked now. I'd love to find a Dr. that would give me a complete physical without the cancer word mentioned just to see how I'm doing.  Good luck with your eye Anne Shirley and Shirley.  I still do the shake of the head it seems to make them move, looks really silly though.

    I'm trying to find someone to help me fiquire things out. My sister called just sobbing yesterday, her sil had a tumour in the brain, they operated and removed, the surgeon just on Wed gave them the it went so perfect, textbook you'll be fine etc. etc.  I warned my sister that they need to find out what the pathology report says and not get to carried away with ther surgeons opinion.  Well yesterday my sister was sobbing because her sister in law was told the tumour is a rare type of brain cancer and that it will come back and then gave her 3months to a year and half to live.  Well we both just sat and cried.  Her sil is going to do rads and take a chemo pill to get more time.  But what upsets me so damn much is the timeline again, why do they alway do that no one knows but God when our time is up. I'm so sad and shocked. What type of chemo pill can they give her my sis said she will tell next week and what if they're wrong, she's selling her business and giving things away already I just think it's premature. Help.

  • anneshirley
    anneshirley Member Posts: 1,110
    edited April 2008

    Snowyday--How horrible for all of you.  So very very sorry.  My only advice would be that she get a second opinion, an expert on this type of tumor.  It doesn't quite make sense that they would give her chemo and rads yet tell her it's fatal.  Why put her through the torture of those treatments if there's no hope, so yes I think she should get a second opinion.

    Thanks everyone for information about retina.  My doctor did tell me that if I see more or a flashing light to get to a doctor immediately.  That disturbed me as  my thinking is if this is related to a detached retina, then why don't they know it now.  And if not, why this warning? It suggested to me that the floater might be a retina issue but that they can't tell until the damage is serious?  Anyone here know about this.  Also, maybe because of the floater I'm more aware of my left eye.  

    Rosemary--spinach--can't hurt to try.  Thanks. 

    What I hate is, when everything seems to be going well, then another pain  or problem shows up.  I suppose it's all connected with aging, but oh so annoying.   Anyone who knows of a time machine, please send me a PM! 

  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited April 2008

    What happens is that the vitreous pulls on the retina and this causes the flashes and floaters. Sometimes -- but not always -- it pulls hard enough to make a tear in the retina. They can't know this is happening until it happens. Usually when someone has a vitreous detachment they will ask them to come back in a month or two to recheck the retina.



    Signs of a detached retina:



    1. Flashes

    2. Loss of peripheral vision. This can be tricky because the other eye will compensate. I only realized it was happening when I close one eye and noticed that a third of my vision was gone in the other eye. If you are having flashes, see the ophthalmologist and if you get the all clear, periodically close the other eye to check your vision.

    3. When I had a detached retina I saw brownish bubbles cross my vision. I have never read this as a symptom of a detached retina, but it happened to me, so I put it out there.



    Keep in mind that vitreous detachment is a natural part of the aging process so everyone will eventually get floaters and flashes. Don't be alarmed, just get it checked out.

  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited April 2008

    Oh, and pain is not a symptoms of a retinal tear. There are no pain receptors on the retina. That's why you "feel" nothing when there is stress on the retina, the only thing the retina can do is measure changes through light -- hence the flashes.

  • anneshirley
    anneshirley Member Posts: 1,110
    edited April 2008

    Thanks for information--very helpful.  It's hard for me to check my vision as I don't have depth perception.  I'm hoping it's just a floater, but my doctor did ask me to return in six weeks.  When I said that was not possible as I'll be away, she recommended that if I have any flashes or more floaters to get to a doctor immediately.  A bit unnerving.

  • Texgirl
    Texgirl Member Posts: 211
    edited April 2008

     Just saw opth. the flashes occur as the vitreous detaches from the wall...it was normal aging process UNLESS the flashing ( looks like lightening bolts out the cornes of your eye) continues ..then it is likely a detached retina ..which is another whole ball of wax ! Glad I REMEMBERED to say something !

  • tomatojuice
    tomatojuice Member Posts: 382
    edited April 2008

    I have had floaters for over 20 years. I'm 58. They were sort of oval scraggly rainbows passing in front of my eye. They would usualy stay for 15 mins or so. This would maybe occur evy 5 months or so. Doctor exam said they were a natural part of aging. So basically ignored them. Then about 2 months ago, I started having different kind of floater-black sqiggly lines and circles-sort of like a fly passing before my eye. Had a thorough exam at eye hospital-they checked to make sure it wasn't a retinal tear. Everything was okay. They told me it probably wouldn't go away-but it did(after about a week).They also told me though to come back for another exam-to recheck it. I haven't been able to get to it-with all the cancer stuff going on. Well good luck to you. Definately have it checked.

  • anneshirley
    anneshirley Member Posts: 1,110
    edited April 2008

    Yes, mine sounds like your recent floater.  It's a black line, somewhat like a sea horse in shape and still floating.  I hope it leaves soon.  How do they check to be sure it's not a detached retina.  I'd feel so much better if I knew they could tell through tests.  Thanks.

  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited April 2008

    I don't know that continued flashes necessarily means a detached retina. I've had them since December and my retina is fine. For me the flashes will probably continue until the vitreous detaches completely. But it is definitely something that should be checked.



    The test for a detached retina is dilating your eye and examining it. They can't predict it, they just can see it if it happens. If they catch it when it is just a tear, and not detached, it can be fixed without surgery.

  • anneshirley
    anneshirley Member Posts: 1,110
    edited April 2008

    Thanks.  This means I don't have a detached retina as my doctor dilated my eyes, so I assume she would have seen a tear if there were one.  This board is great for getting information. 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2008

    When I met the ophthalmologist that evening, boy did he EVER exam my eye.  I can't explain what he did.  Of course the eye was also dilated.  When I went back for a recheck it wasn't quite as extreme.  They can see behind the eye.  They often lay you upside down...LOL...and look at your eyes with this horrid bright light.

    My floaters looked like dark, mascaraed (is that a word?) eyelashes floating horizontally.  I still have them, but not as dark.

    Shirley

  • anneshirley
    anneshirley Member Posts: 1,110
    edited April 2008

    I guess they can see behind the eye. My doctor said the surgeon who operated on my crossed eyes when I was ten (fifty plus years ago) did a wonderful job.  So I guess she saw something.  And my line has gotten lighter in the last few days.  Thanks.

  • janet11
    janet11 Member Posts: 262
    edited April 2008

    I've had various little floaters for years.  But one Sunday evening, I very suddenly started to have flashes of light in my peripheral vision, and massive amounts of floaters in the same eye.  Scared me to death.  Went to the ophthmologist (hate trying to spell that) the next day and had it checked out.  Thank goodness there WAS no problem with my retina -- but I'm glad I had it checked out and wouldn't hesitate to do that again when there's a distinct change.

    Yes, my floaters looked like eyelashes and spiders.  At times, when i get up in the middle of the night to get to the bathroom, I see movement.... and after my heart calms down, I just realize that I had caught sight of a floater (*laugh*).

  • anneshirley
    anneshirley Member Posts: 1,110
    edited April 2008

    I was reassured by this thread and my doctor and then last night as I put out the light to go to sleep, I saw three flashes of light in the corner of my eye, as everyone says, like lightening bolts.  Now I don't know what to do as I was planning to leave for Maine for five months and my insurance and doctors are all here in New York.  Some of you here have said that you've also had flashes but it was not a detached retina.  How does one know which is which without revisting doctor.  Or is that not possible?

  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited April 2008

    Most likely it is not a detached retina but the only way to know is to have it checked out. Go to the doctor ASAP, today if you can. You will most likely get reassurance. If you can catch it when it is just a tear and not detached, it can be fixed without fill-blown surgery.

  • saluki
    saluki Member Posts: 2,287
    edited April 2008

    Well AnneShirley---I'm going to tell you something that will sound like its against all reason.

    I think the fact that you are using one eye to all exclusion of the other is 

    what is making you capable of being a voracious and excellent reader.

    I've envied you and your reading group.

    I'm Strabismic and have been so since 5 years of age.  Unfortunately they only gave pencil focusing exercises at the time and it wasn't properly treated.  They should have treated it aggressively before I hit 10 to have a chance of correcting it.  

    With me my other eye had just enough eyesight to occasionally kick in

    so one eye would be reading one page and the other another or I would connect sentences at the top and bottom of the same page leaving out all the prepositions----Reading and focusing was and is an absolute  nightmare.  I can zero in on something like a Buffalo hunter and yet miss everything else on the page.

    I had to laugh about one of your posts about the debates because the only thing I actually saw was about the capital gains tax and to me the rest of the article didn't exist--truly.

    Don't even mention balance---spent years trying to get both sides of the brain to work together---years trying to see a double image through prism glasses.

    I used to have to guess how much space was between parked cars on the road---Depth perception????? You don't want to know.  Klutz of the year award----many times over.  Femara has just made matters unbelievably worse.   

    It's truly funny how we find our strengths and how our bodies find a way to adapt to a disability. Here your stronger eye took over and in loosing the sight of the other your reading was unencumbered.

    With me I wound up in the fine arts and the uniqueness of my work was  due to a complete lack of depth perception.  No one realized that was how I actually saw everything.  Every piece of art work I've ever done has a unique flatness about it. For me to read I find myself closing an eye.

    You gals all have me concerned now---I've had another bad cold and something weird has been happening.  

    When I'm laying in bed with my eyes closed and I start coughing I am

    seeing what you gals are describing as lightening but only when I cough

    and my eyes are closed. 

    My floaters were discovered when I had Lasik about 5 years ago.  They haven't changed much in five years.

    Hoping that you have something minor and that you can return to Maine with no worries. 

  • anneshirley
    anneshirley Member Posts: 1,110
    edited April 2008

    Susie--it was just vitrous detachment but not a tear, thank goodness.  Also, the surgeon I saw gave me a very thorough exam as I was the only there, as he came in solely for me--loved him too.  I gather he works exclusively with retina problems but his wife works with those who have crossed eyes. You'll be intereted in this.  He said my right eye was better than the other doctor indicated last week and that I had some depth perception, although it's not great.  He asked at what age my eyes crossed and I told him at five years (I fell and cut myself right above my eye and they crossed shortly after that).  He said if you are born with crossed eyes you lose all depth perception but since mine happened at five, I have some.  Also, he said many people need two surgeries so I was lucky that mine held up so well. All in all it was a good report, although because the vitreous is now detached I have to be careful to avoid a retina tear or detachment. 

    So you also had crossed eye--did the other kids give you a hard time? Both eyes were crossed and if I took off my glass they both immediately drifted into my nose--it was awful until I had surgery at ten.  Enjoyed my reunion immensely! 

  • michie56
    michie56 Member Posts: 263
    edited April 2008
  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited April 2008

    There is a difference between ocular migraines and flashes. Ocular migraines last for 10, 20, 30 minutes -- they grow and expand. Flashed are literally a split second. Also, flashes are usually at the periphery of the vision while ocular migraines can be central.

  • anneshirley
    anneshirley Member Posts: 1,110
    edited April 2008

    Yes, that's true.  My flashes are always on the outside edge of my eye, go by so fast one almost thinks they're imagined, and look exactly like flashes of lightening.  And so far I've only seen mine when I turn out the lights.  My doctor said that's normal, that they're not that visible in lighted rooms.

  • saluki
    saluki Member Posts: 2,287
    edited April 2008

    Wonderful news Anne Shirley---Glad you got to enjoy your HS reunion.

    I never had any desire to see any of my high school classmates.---I was a very Bohemian Art student and I stuck out like a sore thumb in High School.

    A Pratt Institute or Tyler reunion would be quite a different matter.  I look back on those days with fondness. 

    What you describe is exactly what is happening to me when I cough hard

    and it does only happen in the dark.  You've eased my mind but I guess its time to get it checked out as well.

    PS I didn't get teased until college about my eye because although I have Strabismic Amblyopia it's not evident unless I get tired and the eye

    takes a hike and travels off the side of my face--Its more of a functioning problem with the two sides of my brain not operating together. Yes- it would freak out friends now and then.  Mine turns outward.  Interesting what that Doctor told you---probably why my depth perception is non existent-- mine was discovered at 5 years only because of a routine exam but I probably had it from birth. 

    Yep--Nearly side swiping everything while driving is a way of life.---Didn't your friends love to drive with you?  LOL   Now I only travel

    two lane back roads and that is very precarious.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2008

    just had some "floaters" this am for the first time--looks like little black dots, like specks of dirt in my visual field.  Think I'll stop byt he optometrist tomorrow and see if I can get seen.

  • PuppyFive
    PuppyFive Member Posts: 2,808
    edited April 2008

    has anyone ever had flashes of color??

    I have them and they float around, pink and purple, aqua!!

    sounds nuts I know, talked to family doc. and she said it

    sounds beautiful!!!

    they are colorful, BUT not pretty when you try and sleep!!

    am I nuts????Cry

    I do have brain problems, will have surgery the 13th of may

    for a Annie, and a skull biopsy on the large bump on my head...

    maybe this is why I have them, But I have never heared of them before.... Please help!!!

    Puppy

  • anneshirley
    anneshirley Member Posts: 1,110
    edited April 2008

    susie--yes, that will happen (so said my doctor) if you shake your head, and coughing can do that.  However, it's important to have a thorough eye exam to be sure your retina is not beginning to detach.  I saw my eye doctor a week ago when I found the first floater, and although she hadn't seen any tears at that time, when I called to tell her about the flashes, she insisted I go to see a surgeon yesterday.  The reason is, that if the retina is detaching, it can be very serious.  So, my recommendation is that you see a doctor.  Most likely you have a vitreous detachment as I have but not a tear, but why not be sure.  

    With respect to high school reunion, I think because I went to an all girls school, there was more attachment as a group (I'm a big believer in same sex schools in high school).  I was not the traditional student, but I never felt out of place and I have very fond memories of my high school days.  I even remember some of the nuns with fondness. 

    Awb--not to scare you, but both doctors that I saw in the last week told me that if I have many floaters it might be a sign of a tear or detachment, so I think you had better see an eye doctor now.  It really is dangerous to let it go.  It's considered an emergency. Absolutely no later than tomorrow, but perhaps even today if you see any flashes of light.

    Puppy--No flashes of color but I think your family doctor should have shown more concern.  If you can get to see an eye doctor soon, I would do so. Never take chances with your eyes, and it's always a relief to find out it's not serious.  See a doctor, preferably an opthamalogist. 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2008

    Puppy, perhaps you should ask your surgeon.  I don't recall having flashing colors.  That would be pretty -- like fireworks. LOL

    awb, when I had my vitreous detachment I noticed little specks also.  But not until a couple of days later.  I kept the room darkened because I didn't like those darn things floating around.  I called the ophthalmologist (I can't believe I spelled that OPH right according to spell check..I'm so proud of myself!) and talked to his assistant.  She said he had noted that.  Hmmm..amazing what these doctors can see.  It was tiny pin point spots..tiny, tiny.

  • PuppyFive
    PuppyFive Member Posts: 2,808
    edited April 2008

    Thanks Ladies....

    will see if I can get a appt. soon!

    Shirley,

    You So FunnyLaughing

    xoxo

    Puppy

  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited April 2008

    The thing about those pinpoint specks of light is that we all see them all the time, but we aren't aware of them. Sometimes something happens that makes you hyper-vigilant and then you notice them. But they are totally normal.



    Puppy, do you have a neurologist? I think you should mention the colors, because it sounds more like a brain thing than an eye thing. That may be a migraine. But I have had EVERYTHING that could possibly happen in the eyeball happen (or at least it feels that way ) and I've never experienced that particular symptoms. Good luck with all those procedures.

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