PVD onset wondering at what point you know it is emergency

[cjneenie]

a week ago flashing bright lights like camera lens started flashing in my left eye peripheal vision.  I saw an optomitrist and he said I had a PVD incident.  I am to call immediately if flashing gets more frequent, or if darker floaters appear.  I feel I have a loss of vision in the upper left corner of that eye. However, the flashing has slowed down.
My question is "Will this be an ongoing problem now that I have experienced this and inevitably lead to a retina tear or detachment?
Also I engage in aerobic activities, yoga and weight lifting.  Will my activities be curtailed for the rest of my life because of this PVD incident?

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear cjneenie

I consider the loss of vision as a curtain or shadow an emergency. Do not do aerobic activities and see an eyeMD or retinal specialist urgently!  It may represent a retinal tear or detachment and warrants examination again!

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California

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

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[berrywoo]

Many times PVD patients do not experience a retinal tear or detachment. However, people w/ PVD do need to be monitored closely to ensure that they do not experience any problems. After the vitreous has completely detached it is generally safe to return to normal activities.

In your case I would seek emergency care ASAP as you're experiencing vision loss which is indicative of a detachment.
Depending on the location and extent of the tear the progression to a completely detached retina w/ macula off varies from hours to days.

If indeed you do have a RD which requires surgical intervention your physical activites will be limited for a period of time. However, you should discuss this w/ your doctor. He/she will best inform you about when and what types of activities you are allowed to participate in.

Any sort of vision loss requires immediate medical attention and should not be neglected.

[dukey]

I would get to the ER ASAP in my opinion. When you initially had the flashes, you should have had a detailed DILATED retinal exam with scleral depression (by an eyeMD) to look for retina tears or breaks which may lead to a retina detachment (RD). One of the major signs of an RD is the sensation that a curtain is slowly being pulled over the eye from the periphery leading to rapid vision loss. It will eventually creep (talking hours here) to the center at which point it becomes much more difficult to treat. What you are describing in the top left of your vision sounds like the early stages of an RD and it requires immediate surgical treatment to prevent severe vision loss. Any time you mention flashes and vision loss in the periphery, people get nervous!