Blog #14, Hey,
I’ve got floating things in my eye.
Last week, I
began to notice something like a fly moving across the vision in my right
eye. It started on a Wednesday afternoon
and continued for two days with the odd flash of light, again going across my
vision. I was having a posterior
vitreous detachment.
The vitreous
is a clear gel that fills the inside of the eye. As we get older the gel starts to liquefy,
and in the process, it shrinks and does not fill the entire space inside the
eye. The vitreous also consists of fine fibres that attach to the retina. The shrinkage eventually causes the vitreous
to pull away from the retina, resulting in floating strands or objects that
move across your vision, which we call “floaters”. Sometimes this pulling will actually cause
the sensation of light, showing up as short-lived flashes of light. This was happening to my
right eye. I was examined by my
colleague across the hall the next day and was diagnosed with a vitreous
detachment.
Ideally, a
person should be seen in the first 24 hours if these symptoms occur. It is possible that this pulling on the
retina can cause the retina to tear or create a hole or even pull the macula
off. This is a lot more serious, with
a resulting retinal detachment or macular hole
which, if not promptly treated,
can result in permanent vision loss. Prompt
attention with a dilated exam
is essential because it is the only way to ensure
that the retina has not been affected. If
the retina is affected, you will be sent to a specialist for immediate treatment. Fortunately, I did not have these more
serious conditions.
So, any new
floaters, any flashes of light accompanying them, call right away, and get seen
right away. Even when nothing is
happening, have regular dilated exams to check for retinal problems. I am
waiting for the same thing to occur in my left eye and in the meantime, my
peripheral retina is healthy and doing just fine.
Thankfully,
most people do not have retinal problems from vitreous detachment. Remember,
you see floaters in your eye, get seen right away.
Til next
week,
The Good Doctor, Dr. Mark Germain, Burlington Eyecare.
