Was this exam enough for flashes? Different to last time

Hi, Im in the UK, and went to the eye hospital today as having an increase in the number of flashes in my eye.  I was told on Sunday that I am experiencing a posterior vitreous detachment, he gve mea a thorough eye exam there and then, which involved the doctor using an instrument he called a contact lens.  I had to return on Monday and had exactly the same test.  I have been getting worried as the flashes have increased a lot, so went to the hospital today, and all this doctor did was look into my eyes with the slit lamp, and maygnifying lens, but did not use the contact lens.  Today it was a very quick test, but she said that my eyes were fine, no retinal tears, that this was normal, and that my flashes may never go away.  At my other exams they told me to return if the flashes or floaters increased or if I saw a veil coming over my vision, which is why I went today.  I feel bothered that this Dr did not use the contact lens.  Could she see ok without one?  My right eye is the one giving me the problems with flashing, and floaters, my left eye is fine.  She told me that the detachment had completed in my right eye, the flashing one, but the left eye had an incomplete detachment.  I am not getting any symptoms at all in the left eye, thankfully.  I guess Im just worried that the eye exam today wasnt as detailed as the other two.  Could you just reassure me that what I had done today is enough for her to definitely see that there is no tear, and also could you tell me why do flashes increase?  Thanks very much for your time. Cazzie

[Sandra M Brown, MD]

The proper assessment for possible peripheral retinal breaks from a PVD is to do a "depressed" fundus exam.  This involves using a special metal stick (or sometimes a Q tip) to push on the wall of the eye.  Although a contact lens allows viewing the retina out to its very edges, if there are tears in the retina that haven't lifted up yet, they may be missed.  Increasing flashers is worrisome and I would suggest another evaluation.

[Cazzzie]

Thank you for your answer, I feel quite nervous about the examinations I have had, its difficult to get to see the opthalmologists at the local hospital, you have to convince the nursing staff you really need to see one, but they seem to be very protective over the doctors time, and to be honest I think they try to fob us off.  I still have flashes but they seem to be less, but I feel my eye sight isnt quite as good as it was before this started..  I had just got glasses for long distance, and they dont seem to be as clear now, would this be a normal symptom of PVD?  A previous time I attended the eye hospital a nurse told me I had 'window shoppers eye', and suggested I go home, when in fact I had uveitis! You have to get past these nurses, to even see a dr!  This time the nurse told me it was normal to have these flashes, even for them to get worse, and be continuous like mine did, its because I move my eye, and that my eyesight was more blurry because I probably need drops for dry eyes.  I do use drops for this, but do also know my own eyes, and this one seems blurrier.  It used to  be easier as the hospital had its own 24hr eye dept A and E, but now they are open office hours, and you have to be referred by a GP, which you can only be if the GP is open, and you can get an appointment, or convince them at the  for the regular hospital A and E that caters for all ailments not eyes, that you need to see a Dr from the eye dept.  Soometimes they wont even call one down.  The first time I went for this, when I suddenly got floaters and flashes the nurse on duty then told me it was a normal part of aging, nothing to worry about, and was going to send me home, until he asked if I had any other health probs, Im undergoing neurological investigations, so then he agreed to phone for an eye doc to come down the the dept!  Our NHS can be good but its not that good with things like this.  The last Dr I saw made me feel like I was being over anxious,she was laughing at me, and said she had never seen a retinal tear with PVD, let alone a retinal detachment!  I did think, maybe its because you dont look for them!   I am going to go to the optician to have a retinal photograph done tomorrow, would that show any tears? I am concerned about this, maybe Im worrying unduly.  My eye isnt the same though.  If I get it in the other eye is it almost definite that I will get the floaters, and the ring type clear thing I can see? Also, should I take any other precautions while this is going on? Thank you so much for your time.  Its really appreciated.  

[AlexEB]

Hi Cazzzie,
   I'm undergoing the same thing (PVD), which started almost the same day as in your case.  From what I've gathered, you'll probably want to take it really easy on your eyes by not stooping, bending, and straining.  Priority #1 is making sure there are no retinal tears at the present moment, so do what I did and get a second opinion from another doctor just to make sure.

Once your in this category, its just a waiting game (roughly 6 weeks-2 months, although 3 months is not commong).  The statistics are in your favor.  I have read anywhere from 12% to 4% of those with PVD experience retinal detachment.  SO, that being said, it is your duty to be very diligent about spotting these warning signs (Dark veil over part of vision, "showering" of floaters, or increase in floaters over what you have now).  

Anyway, I understand what your going through (since I'm going through it now too), so hang tight and hopefully everything will work out for you.  My best wishes.

[Cazzzie]

Thank you for that, its rotten that you are going through it too.  It is an anxious time isnt it?  I hope you get through it ok with no problems, and I hope that I do too.  Does the risk that comes with this PVD go away after the 3 month timescale you mention, or are we always at an increased risk?  My best wishes to you too.

[Cazzzie]

I see like a cobweb now too, is this an additional problem that I should get checked out or probably nothing?  Sorry about all the questions, I just feel anxious.  I dont want to keep bothering the hospital unnecessarily, but dont want to risk my sight either.  Thanks

[Cazzzie]

Also, could you tell me if you stop getting additional floaters and flashes after the PVD is complete, thank you so much