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Sudden onset of FLOATERS in one eye

I suddenly started having floaters a few weeks ago. I have heard of them before and always heard they were totally harmless. I thought they were happening in both eyes until this morning I shut one eye and they went away. So I am having tons of floaters (like a shower of black spots) in my right eye and never before had any prior to this. I am DX with Fibro and RA and take Lyrica (300mg) everyday for about 1.5 years and have had great results with minor side effects. I am on an antibiotic (Keflex) right now for a sinus infection....not sure if that matters.

So my question is.....I know floaters are normal and people can have them all their life, but mine happened so sudden and they are all the time. Do you think it is a side effect from my meds? Or a side effect from fibro/RA? Or would this be a totally different issue?

Thanks!!
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Avatar universal
i have had a ton of floaters in my eyes for about 22 years now--and they seemed to have come on pretty quick when they came on.  i got sensitive to bright light and loud noises about the same time---i was also starting into a nervous breakdown, and my ears started ringing a short time later.  i remember that with all the floaters and my ears ringing----i felt like i was trapped inside my own body---a nervous breakdown can do funny things to your mind!!   i have no idea what caused my floaters, but it is definitely a good idea to have them checked out because retinal detachment, as others have said, can cause them.

i painted all the walls in my house navaho white instead of white to hopefully lessen being able to see them.  dimmer lighting makes them not as noticeable.  they can be a bit of a pain when reading, though, because i occassionally get a graish spot that is slightly blurry and i have to blink my eyes to get the floater out of the center of my vision.  after this much time, i am so used to them that i hardly notice them--or the ringing in my ears.
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Avatar universal
Typos on words:  "Phenomena"----NOT "phenemena" sensitivity (not sensitivity). I have caught a number--not so overwheming--however, noticable to the author in as far as certain sentence structuring and editing in my structuring. My main goal is to exchange the information and to create a dialogue to relate to and to seek the truth.

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Avatar universal
First of all, I would like to say that I thank each of you for coming together to answer and to help the original inquiry regarding the "floaters" in the eyes question. What I admired and found refreshing was that each of your remarks were thought-out, never saying the empty phrases of "good luck" or "I DK go see a doc." Each of you SPECIFIED which type of specialist to visit and each of you cared about a stranger who needed your help. From the original inquiry to the fine answers, I thank each of you for your intelligent responses as they have confirmed the steps that I will need to take. I'd also like to add that I am seeing a dynamic here regarding these floaters and those who have fibromyalgia or an illness related to severe pain of many sorts. I read another article which indicated that this MAY have to do with the process of aging. The floaters were a cause of concern for me as well , but, thankfully, I haven't have the "showers" as YOU MUST schedule an urgent appointment w/ an opthalmologist. Since there is no concentrated info upon the affects of aging and severe pain outcomes, I wonder if this may hold a rather significant clue. Also, what I am reading is that light seems to be a moderate culprit, my concern is, could it be relative in operating and becoming so dependent on computer screens. It seems that mine have increased stealthily since June, 2011 in my increase of using my computer and staring into the screen. Could it be that as we age and in our daily use of computers, that the LED light may be causing a tear which scientists are not considering? If the speed of light performs the various functions which we have come to know, what DO we TRULY know about the effects of LED in computer screen lights used in our screens. We really have NO conclusive nor updated data--until it is too late--just how silent such light emission may have on our eyes over time. We are told that MANY of the daily things that we use are safe, however, it seems that 10-15 years down the road, some researcher has discovered that indeed, one thing or another has its consequences.The "floaters" really did seem to occur after my incrase of using my laptop (as I will not discount the other symptoms of my pre-existing issues. Has anyone or is any one bold enough to engage their theories in this possibility?? An open mind is needed AND is crucial to consider what we , if any of us, are being told as to the eventual long-term consequence of staring into our computer screens as our media fervently suggests for us to do for everything. I have noticed how unusually tired my eyes are (being measured to those who obsessively use their computers). This is NOT simple exhaustion, it is as if I am being sandbagged w/ a sleep-aid  (which is different from any other light that we use on regular basis. Computer light has a very unique combination of light alternates to bring forth the glow and the longevity of the light itself. Computer lights are even different from the light emitted from your televison and computer usage has become very intimate and there may be some aspects to apply caution into our own research and personal reactions of sensitivitiy as a computer may reduce the power, but, may not prevent the unknown damages. We may need to consider the amount of time we use our computers to possibly& literally "time out" to restore our visual acuity. If light travels w/ outstanding speed, how much more  aware to consider the meticulous detail & structure of our eyes being affected by this more powerful light source. There are variables to consider  any singular event. Please contribute your commentary as I cannot be the only one considering this phenemena.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the comments.  I have had cataract surgery in both eyes.  Have been plagued with glaucoma for years.  Laser surgeries on both eyes to try and lower pressure to no avail.  Drops seem to have left eye under control but had to have a trabeculectomy in right eye over a year ago to control elevated pressure.  Being followed every 3 months by my competent surgeon and head of teaching university's glaucoma department.

Was told years ago by my optometrist that I had an unusual presence of floaters, but I've never seen them.  Yesterday, I had an onset with one being present in left eye (non-surgical eye.)  Today, there are multiple floaters.  Everything I look at appears to be inundated by a swarm of gnats.  I'm hoping it's just a minor part of my ongoing eye issues -- but will call my surgeon tomorrow for an appointment just to be sure.

I post all of this to see if there are others who've experienced anything similar with this type history.   Thanks.
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Avatar universal
Floaters are a common symptom in lyme disease as well.
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Avatar universal
I have floaters since I was a young child. They are always present but at times I seem to see more of them and in a variety of patterns. They are also commom with FMS. It is always wise to consult a doctor with any new or unusual symptoms just to be on the safe side.

I have also a vitrial detachement, however, that was a strange event, not realated to the fibro as far as I know. I believe it is more "age related". I kept feeling like something was in my eye earlier in the day, then by night I was experiencing flashes of light on the side of my right eye. I now have a different type of floater, a blurry spot that swims around with the rest of the crowd. They can not do anything for the detachment but keep a close watch on the retina. Anything having to do with the eyes I think is very important to have checked.
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Avatar universal
I too have RA and sudden floaters. I have had occasional floaters but never like this.
I did a google search for floaters and RA and there is a connection. The inflammation can cause it and can be serious - retinal detachment.
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390388 tn?1279636213
Just a thought.  I get these also sometimes.  I call them my little spirits.  LOL  With me it's usually when my BP and HR are elevated or jumping around.  I also have one eye that twitches, (like muscle spasms) it don't hurt but waters alot.  I don't know if that helped.  Just putting in my two cents.  Take care.
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Avatar universal
Thank you all for your comments. I saw my family Dr. that day (just for a med refill not because of the floaters) and I did mention it to him. He said the same thing all of you said-see an opthamologist right away for the same reasons you all said! Wow, you all were right on! I will make an appt on Monday and update then. Thanks again so much!!!
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Avatar universal
Definately .....see a doctor...just in case.......I have floaters and I saw an "eye doctor" and they were confirmed.....I do find that they are more noticable in sunshine or in bright lights....mostly I have have one large one and two much smaller ones.......and although harmless are quite bothersome.....
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728731 tn?1235638999
If you are experiencing an sudden onset of floaters in a significant quantity, PLEASE go and see your Doctor, optometrist or an opthamologist as soon as you can. Yes, for the most part floaters are harmless and most people gets them occasionally, but only one or two. It may be nothing, but if there is an inflamation or illness causing the floaters, the quicker you seek treatment the better. I, myself suffer an inflamatory eye condition that causes floaters and have had three episodes in nine years and each time I have sought prompt treatment and I still have reasonable sight in my eye for doing so.
Better to be safe than sorry.
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Avatar universal
Yeah, I agree with VaBreeze...go see a doctor, just to be sure.  Floaters are normally harmless, but it's unusual to get a lot of them at once.  It may be coincidence, and a lot of people with CFS (and I'm guessing FMS) do report increased amounts of them, but all-of-a-sudden is definitely odd.

I remember reading a while back about some kind of "vitrious detachment" or some such thing, where basically the gel-like liquid in your eye pulls away from the wall temporarily and would cause a similar effect, so it could be that or something like it.  But one way or the other, it definitely would be a good idea to go see a doctor, preferably an opthamologist if there's one readily accessible.
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Avatar universal
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/eye-floaters/DS01036

Here is a link that will provide you more insight into floaters.  They are typically harmless and most people experience it at some time or other.

If you had just begun the Lyrica it could have been that, however, since you've been on it for over a year if this was a side-effect it would have occurred before now.  At the rate that you describe having them, you should see your physician.  They can also be indicative of some type of inflammation.

Take care and I hope you can see your physician soon about this.
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