posterior vitreous detachment

[sweetberry]

I am over 55 and noticed a floater and light flashes.  I was examined by an opthamologist and told that I had a vitreous detachment and my retina was ok.  How long can I expect to continue to have light flashes. It has been 2 weeks since the incident and I still notice light flashes in the dark from time to time.
thankyou

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

If you have Medicare there is no stipulation that you can't be seen unless you have an Emergency. That's not in the Medicare statutes.

No your symptoms does not sound like a PVD. It sounds like transient visual obscuration due to TIA (transient ischemic attack) which in turn can be due to disease of the eye, brain, heart or blood vessels. Also some are due to eye or ophthalmic migraine.

They really do need to be evaluated by your MD and your Eye MD to sort out the causes.
JCH MD

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

There is no way to tell you when they will stop. MOST but not all PVD flashes stop within 4-6 weeks. This is my approach from another post

The situation you describes occurs all the time. Most do what I do.
1. A complete medical dilated exam of the peripheral retina
2. A discussion of the symptoms of RD
3. Explain posterior vitreous detachment PVD
4. Tell them if they have a sudden increase of flaoters, light flashes or loss of peripheral vision come in immediate.
5. If flashes ask they to avoid heavy bending, stooping, lifting till flashes stop
6. Schedule a follow up visit in our retina clinic in 7-14 days. If flashes persist come in for re-exam. If they stop call and cancel the appointment
7. Ultrasound, OCT, CT and MRI are not helpful for retinal detachment is an eye where the back is visible

JCH MD

[fred522009]

Hello, I'm 52 yr. old male.. I have had both my eyes implanted due to cataracts approx 5 yrs. ago since then I have lost my insurance so I haven't seen my eye Doctor in about 3 yrs..I have been experiencing light flashes but they are in both eyes and stay in my vision to the point that I have a hard time seeing, usually I can see around them but they look like lighting bolts from the top to the bottom and float as if they were floaters they can last for a minute or as long as five minutes. Do you think my diagnose is Vitreous detachment?? I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease when I was 34 y/o and have been on prednisone for the last twenty years at least 20 mg daily up to 100 mg when having flare ups my G. I. Doctor has tried everthing but everytime I get down below 20mg I have a flare up!!! Everytime I have to see a Doctor they are more concerend about the prednisone then the reason I'm seeing them, I have been told that if the crohns doesn't kill me the prednisone will but like I said it's a catch 22 situation..  I have had 3 small bowel resections, 4 back surgeries and numerous hospital stays. I'm on full disabilty with medicare and can't afford to see a my Doctor unless it's an emergency. Thank You,  Fred522009