Achy/tired eyes, vascular spasms, other in mid-teens

[tmaromine]

Two and a half months ago I went to an optamoligest (I think it was), or however one spells it, because of some "visual disturbances". Now, I just turned fifteen late October, and it is/was all quite new to me.

I saw a "shimmering wave of color", and "flickering/pulsing lights" in my peripheral vision - vascular spasms. I'm nearsighted, and my prescription is correct when it was checked when I checked my eyes. In June I was looking at a pool from an angle with the sun reflecting off of it, I though maybe that did some damage but the doctor said it didn't.
But often times I find my eyes get very achy when using my glasses. And sometimes for little reason my left eye will get quite achy, or hurt for a couple of seconds. And there are also times when I feel my eye and the left side of my head hurt some.

Sometimes it seems as if objects move when I see them in my peripheral vision, when I know they're not. And if I stare at a doorway or a corner for a little while, it will seem to violently shake. There also seem to be times when *all* of my vision looks as if there is a flickering light, or snow, in front of it, not just my peripheral vision. And I think I have prolonged after images, as I can look at something not well lit and it will last for a while.

My left eye, for some time, seems to feel as if it's just not "right". as if it's out of place, or maybe a little big. I notice the feeling much more when I have a window to the left with a dark wall to the right.

I've tried to calm myself down on these things, but I would like some answers.Is this just because I'm growing?

[tmaromine]

Agh!, I really don't want to become a bother around here, but I didn't mention that (in my left eye), there is a spot or two where if I look into a light or at a TV, and then look away, the area will stay "lit", or like an extended after-image. But it doesnt really take shape other than a circle, or just a spot/area in the top or bottom of my peripheral vision on the left side of my left eye.

Right now, it seems as if the bottom of my left eye has a red tint to it. I only remember noticing this to star happening at the top of my peripheral vision after I was looking at a pool with the sun reflecting off it.

[tmaromine]

Last night, when I looked as far right as I could without moving my head, my left eye/behind my left eye ached/hurt. Then I wake up today, and if I look sharp in any direction I feel it. It's a little more than an ache - it kinda hurts.

When I look as far left as I can, I see a kind of small "mountainy/rocky" looking phosphene, though in my other eye it's more smooth and just a colored circle.

Where I said my left eye felt as if it was "out of place", I was thinking because maybe it had more/less pressure than my right eye. When I got my glasses checked in September, I had the puff-of-air thing done to check the pressure; the doctor didn't say anything about it. I don't know if that would relate to anything or not.

So, I guess it's the muscle behind my eye? Is *this* anything to worry about?

[tmaromine]

Thanks for that link. I'll make sure to read through the site and set up my computer better.

[tmaromine]

I forgot to mention:

I do see flashers, sometime I see ten very noticable ones a day, sometimes it seems like none, other times just a few here and there.

And I believe I have a floater in my left eye, the one that gets a small "ache" here and there. Sometimes I will see something slightly blur or distort what's right in front of me (usually computer screen). As if a small piece of plastic wrap floats by.

And as I'm typing this my eyes feel very pressured or tired, and then I get up and look out the window and they feel "better." I should ban myself from my computer for some time...

[Ag-i-doc]

grey:

if this poster went to *any* eye doctor complaining of flashes and/or floaters, then we have to assume they were dilated.  what eye doc would do an undilated exam on a patient complaining of flashes?  the answer is: none.

nearwork, reading, homework and computer use are not related to flashes or "shimmering" or "flickering".

tmar:

no matter how many flashes you see or floaters you have, if you have had a dilated eye exam then your doc has already ruled out retinal problems.  no matter how many flashes you see per day...if you dont have a retinal problem (which your doc has already determined) then there is nothing that can be done.  you're likely seeing entoptic phenomena, or you have vitreal traction that is undetected.  either way, no one is going to be able to stop them, and it isnt dangerous.  all assuming the doc has already ruled out retinal problems.

"And as I'm typing this my eyes feel very pressured or tired, and then I get up and look out the window and they feel "better." I should ban myself from my computer for some time..."

asthenopia or maybe computer vision syndrome.  all day at a computer can & does cause eyestrain like you describe...taking breaks definitely helps.  maybe even an Rx "computer" pair of glasses.  but your computer use is *not* causing your flashes/floaters/"shimmering" or "flickering".

[tmaromine]

Yes, my pupils were dilated. Doctor said my eyes look healthy.

I'm not increasing the amount of close-up work, but I'd say I ahve a lot of it.

Homework, most nights a little, unless it's geometry than maybe an hour. I usually have a night-table lamp on.

I don't have "lazy eye"; they've never moved or drifted on me. Just once I went cross-eyed, looking at a yard stick and still looking at it as I turned my head sideways.

I spend most my day at a computer... If school

[grayeyes]

Here is a really helpful site on CVS.

www.doctorergo.com

[tmaromine]

Thanks for the answers. The flashers don't so much bother me, I just notice them and was wondering. When I got the dilated-exam, I failed to mention anything on flashers or floaters though. I jsut tried to remember the things that most "scared" me, as I hadn't any past experience with them.

But yes, from what I recall, my retinal is healthy.

Thanks for the answers/help.

[grayeyes]

Were you pupils dilated at your last eye exam?
Are you increasing the amount of near work that you usually do?
How many hours of homework/reading do you do?
Do you ever notice one eye moving away or drifting in or out?
How many hours a day do you spend at a computer?

[Forum-OD-MP]

none of that sounds serious.  literally everyone has occasional "weird" peripheral vision disturbances or occasional "achy" eyes.  i have thoroughly read your post and i would not personally consider any of that to be dangerous in any way...nor solvable.