GO SEE A DIFFERENT DOCTOR!!!
thank you so much for your prompt reply ... it's put my mind at ease somewhat ...
1) it is possible, but highly unlikely IMO that something serious is being or has been missed. i guess the reason the retinal specialist wont return your calls is b/c she apparently does not think your symptoms warrant emergent care, and neither do i. you dont have the "classic" symptoms of an emergent situation...vision loss, 100's of floaters, etc
2) yes that is possible. again unlikely to be emergent IMO
3) yes. its a form of the "troxlar" effect, and once a person becomes kind of "trained" to see them, often the patient sees them fequently after that.