floaters

[bdm123]

i have floaters and sometime i see pinpoint flashes in the horizon when i gaze. i went to retina specialized doctor and he said that every thing is normal after the dilate exam. is there anything that i should do to protect retina from having tear or get detached in future? like shall i stop my mountain biking and swimming habit? and why do i see the pinpoint flashes if my retina is 100% healthy?

thank you

[MagicMadcap]

The pinhole flashes you are experiencing are probably "Blue Field Entoptic Phenomenon".  It is a totally normal occurrence where people see sparkles or pinhole flashes when they are looking at something bright blue/white, such as the sky.  Check it out on these forums or www.wikipedia.org.  If the doctors say your eyes are healthy then just ignore the sparkles and you will soon get over it.  I think I know what you're going through.  Hope this helps you out some.  ;}

[bdm123]

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[bdm123]

why would the pinhole plashes only appear in bright/white backgrounds while i dont see them at night nor in dim light at all?!! isnt that weird?

[kjelltp]

Vitreous traction:   The retina knows no pain, but sometimes the vitreo (gel substance inside your eyeball) can pull on the retinal wall, thus generating an impulse, and your brain perceives it as a light.  

[bdm123]

could you please define Vitreous Traction since i could not find it searching the internet.

thank you for the on going help

[ruby2zdy]

My Retina and Macula specialist says if I get bright flashes I should let him know because it could indicate retinal detachment.  Round "flashlight" images that move around the periphery are, he said, associated with collapse of the vitreous sac, which usually collapses in nearsighted people as they age anyway, so aren't something to worry about.  If you're vulnerable to retinal detachment, keep your blood pressure down.  Like 110/70.  I'm sorry your doctors don't seem to be taking your problem seriously.

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

You do not need to stop swimming. Mountain biking is inherently dangerous. When I was at Jackson WY this summer a mt biker died even though wearing a helmet.

Other than that protect your eyes from trauma, avoid violent amusement rides and have your eyes checked yearly by an Eye MD.

The pinpoint flashes could be entopic phenonmena or there could be some mild vitreous traction.

JCH MD

[bdm123]

any comment Dr?

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

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[ala310]

you need to be very careful.  I had similar experience, sudden onset of floaters and minor flashes out of the corner of my eye a few times, doc checked my retina and told me retina was healthy, nothing I should do.  I resumed my exercise regime, 10 days later, my retina detached while I was traveling, it was a nightmare.  That happened in March, I have had 2 surgeries since then, first to reattach retina, then to repair macular hole caused by detached retina, and maybe delayed treatment the first time.  I am still recovering, my vision is still blurry right now, don't know if I would ever completely recover.

It could have been such simple procedure if the first "eye specialist" had warned me.