Floaters and Dry Eye

[mfrey]

I posted a question about a month ago about dry eye syndrome and floaters.  I know you said there is no relation between dry eye and floaters....

Two weeks ago I had a "limited exam" by an opthamologist to evaluate the dry eye.  (She examined my eyes after using yellow drops.)  She told me I did have dry eye and also blepharitis.  I'm to continue on Restasis twice a day, use warm compresses and she prescribed Alrex steroid drops for me to use for two weeks.  When I mentioned floaters to her she said only to watch for a large increase of floaters and flashes(like lightning).  I told her I get so many floaters on a daily basis it would be difficult to count and tell if there was an increase, but she said I would know if there is a problem...

My question is..if I have an eye condition (other than dry eye or blepharitis) would she have been able to pick that up on her examination of me?  (It wasn't a dilated exam...I'm going back for one of those next month.)

Also, is there any relation between floaters and light sensitivity (which I also experience)?  

Thank you in advance!

[Forum-OD-MP]

not much relation between floaters and light sensitivity.

if you had a peripheral retinal problem like a hole or a tear, then no that would not have been seen on an undilated exam.

[mfrey]

Thank you.
So basically, any eye problems other than a peripheral retinal hole/tear would have shown up during an undilated exam?

My dilated appointment is in five weeks.  Is that too long to wait if I've been having a lot of floaters during the past three months?

[Ag-i-doc]

wow.  have you been dilated recently and the NEXT dilation is in 5 weeks?  if so then yes, 5 weeks is probably fine.

if you have floaters and have not been dilated since the onset of the floaters, then NO, do not wait 5 weeks.

yes, most eye problems can be diagnosed w/o a dilation.  but IMO most eye problems that cause FLOATERS cannot be diagnosed w/o a dilation

[mfrey]

Thank you again.

No, I haven't had a dilated exam since the floaters really started bothering me.  My exam two weeks ago was not a dilated exam.

While I've noticed floaters off and on for several years now, it's only recently that I've really focused on them (perhaps because of my new dry eye problem).  I don't believe I've seen any type of flashes though.  Still think I should get dilated sooner than 5 weeks?!

[Ag-i-doc]

i personally think it would be a good idea.