Partial PVD

[Victorpogi]

HI,

I'm a 44 year old male. Myopic ( -7.00 Left and -5.5 Right ). In the middle of 2007 I developed some floaters and flashes of light in the corner of my right eye ( it's like an arch ). I immediately went to an optometrist and I was told I was having partial PVD,but, my retina is fine. Three months later I went to a Retina specialist as I developed a lightning like flashes in the right eye. Again, the retina is fine, no sign of tearing. I had my latest eye exam last January 2010, took a picture of the eyes and retina is fine. I'm just wondering why I'm still having the flashes of light ( although it's fainter now) after almost 3 years. Please advise, am I still at high risk of a retinal tear or is the risk a little less now because of the passage of time? What's my risk, 1 in 100 or 1 in 1,000? Thank you very much.

[Victorpogi]

Hi,

I only see it when I'm outside in a bright day or when I'm facing a bright spot.

I live in Ontario Canada and the problem is we are not allowed to go directly to an Eye MD. We need to be seen first by an Optometrist who will then refer us to the Eye MD if he/she believes it's needed. I just found out about this today when I called the office of the Retinal Specialist who saw me in 2007. This is because of our Socialized Health Care System. The service of the Eye MD is free,but, the service of an Optometrist is not and there's no way around them. Take care.  

[LoveMyHusband2010]

Victorpogi:

Thanks for the detailed description.  Do you see the flashes with your eyes open or when you blink.  I see flashes only when I blink and those streaks fade into a shadow then disappear.  Yes I totally understand how you feel, our eyes are so important, without them we can't function daily.  Especially I live alone, far away from relatives so I have to watch out for my eyes as no one can help me.

Please listen to Dr. Hagan and seek an eye exam from an eye doctor, either an opthalmologist or a retina specialist ASAP.  I haven't been to an optometrist since I was told my my family doctor to see opthalmologist/retina specialist if things persist.  They were trained in medical school and they are specialist doctors.  

I have seen 2 opthalmologists and 1 retina specialist.  The Retina specialist told me if the streaks get worst then call him as he didn't see anything on the eye exam.

good luck to you and update to us

[Victorpogi]

Thanks Dr. Hagan, that's quite an eye opener for me.  I'll take your advice and I will be looking for an Opthalmologist for my annual eye exam from now on.

Again,  thank you very much.  

[Victorpogi]

Hi,

It's okey, I don't mind answering the question.

It started like a white light with the shape of C in the left corner of my right eye. It seems like 4 to 7 inches away from my eye. Three months later I started seeing like a Lightning Streak in the front of my right eye, not in the corner, and it's about 14 inches away from my eye.  Later on the lightning streaks dissapeared and just the C flash remains as of now,but, it's not as intense compared to when it was just starting.
I'm quite anxious with my vision. Actually, I'm also seeing like a quick bright afterimage of the Black cord of my computer mouse whenever I move my eyes from down going up when I'm in front of my computer. Hope this helps.....thanks.

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

STOP RIGHT THERE..   You should NOT be under the care of an optometrist. In my opinion they do not have the training or skill to detect small tears.  You should see an Eye MD ophthalmologist, either a comprehensive Eye MD or a retinal eye MD.

The picture of the eye is usually just a profit center for optometrists.
The best test is an ophthalmologist eye MD using a dilated exam and doing indirect ophthalmoscopy with scleral depression.

Find an eye MD near you if you dont have one at www.aao.org

JCH MD

[Victorpogi]

Hi Dr. Hagan,

Thanks a lot for the quick response. No, I don't have relatives who've had RD. I hope you don't mind one more quick question. As I'm concerned that I may develop Retinal Tears because of this continued flashes ( tugging in the retina ) I intend to go for an annual eye exam.
My questions is, which test is more accurate, the Dilated Eye exam or the Taking of Eye Picture in detecting a Tear in the retina? I'm just asking because the latter is way more expensive and my Optometrist is always asking me which procedure I want for my exam. Promise, this will be my last question.

Thank you very much.

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

Use the search feature and archives to read about PVD. You some people continue to have occassional flashes for long periods of time. Worrisome would be to have them get dramatically worse and the appearance of showers of floaters or loss of vision.

You risk of RD is about 1 in 5,000 assuming you have no blood relatives with RD

JCH MD

[LoveMyHusband2010]

Hi, I don't have an answer to your question since I"m not a doctor but I keep wondering what does the flashes of light, as symptoms of retina detachment/PVD look like.  Can you please describe it to me.  Does it appear very far away or right at the corner of your eyes.

Thanks a millions

Again if you feel my question is insensitive since you are asking a question then just ignore it :):)

I've been having eye problems, I think I saw flashes but not quite sure.