normal floaters and dangerous floaters?

[javabeam]

how different are retinal tear floaters different from normal floaters? i have about 5-10 floaters in each eye, not visible always, only when I look at a plain background or the sky. if i had a tear, would i be able to ignore the floaters or are they permanently there?
also, how long does it take for the retina to attach? i started seeing floaters about.... 2 weeks ago, have suffered no loss of vision or flashes since then.
3rd question (sorry!) what are the flashes of light? can I miss them or are they very noticeable?

[MrPresley]

I have rarely experienced flashes of light in spite of having the retina in my left eye needing treatment a couple of years ago for an epiretinal memberane (macular pucker), and my right eye having a asymptomatic horseshoe shaped tear that was treated by laser.  I had floaters in both eyes for decades prior, although they were never really numerous or bothersome.

My recommendation would be to have a dilated eye exam performed by an ophthalmologist if for no other reason than to ease your mind.

[JohnHaganMD]

I agree an you need to start by seeing an ophthalmologist for a dilated exam and a discussion of your concerns.

[javabeam]

Hello! Thanks for replaying. I did see an ophthalmologist and had a dilates exam, he said my retinas were healthy. My family has no history of detached retinas and my vision is 20/20 but since I play a lot of sports, I was just asking since early treatment is critical. Just need to know when I should be concerned about floaters.

[javabeam]

Hello! Thanks for answering. I did have a full dilated exam and everything was okay. I have perfect vision but I do play a lot of sports so I was asking the difference between normal floaters and those who signal a retinal tear. I've read stories online (bad move on my part) that even 1 or 2 floaters meant a retinal tear for a lot of people so just asking.

[JohnHaganMD]

I would move on from worrying about floaters but I would wear sports specific eye protection for all sports.  Just took care of a serious eye injury from soccer ball and another tennis racket.

[javabeam]

Thank you. It's a little hard to move on since they're in front of my eyes and reading stories online about tears was not a good idea because I've heard people say that even one or two floaters meant a retinal tear.

[JohnHaganMD]

50% of people have floaters by age 50. One in 10,000 have retinal detachment. That's pretty unlikely odds to be so troubled

[javabeam]

Okay. Thanks a lot!
Completely unrelated question but I'm curious, what are your views on the cure for blindness and a permanent cure for glaucoma? Do you think it is possible?

[JohnHaganMD]

Blindness, so many causes. Long way off in the future. Glaucoma biggest problem is not diagnosed (patient not have eye exams) and non-compliance (patients not take medicines and stop going to doctors).

[javabeam]

Always helpful to know the opinion of an expert on this. Just one last question, not even a question, just tell me if I got this right.
The only receptor in our eyes is the light receptor, whenever it is stimulated we get flashing lights in our eyes.
If I get this right, a retinal tear flashes (since the retina is coming off and gets stimulated) have to be repeated and constant, whether in light and dark?
Worrying about a flash or two in a span of a day is not a concern, if I get repeated nonstop flashing (because the sensors are repeatedly getting stimulated) I should be worried? As once the retina starts coming off nothing but surgery can stop it so that would mean an endless shower of lights.
I feel a lot of the websites are not clear on this and just list flashing lights as a symptom of RD and it gets confusing and understandably stressful.

[JohnHaganMD]

I'm signing off. You are starting to obsess, I'm not going to be an enabler. I've said what I can.