When am I out of the woods....

[ohwell28]

Thanks for your recent answer to my question about PVD. I was diagnosed with an incomplete PVD a year ago. My local opthamologist said my retina looked fine. I seen him again 2 months ago and he said everything still looked the same. I still get occasionally lightning like flashes with it in my peripheral vision if I move my head quick. So I was wondering....

When am I out of the woods with this thing for a retinal detachment?

Are most PVD incomplete/partial on the initial exam, or are they usually complete?

How long will it take for it to detach?

Do most incomplete PVD detach smoothly?

Thanks a bunch!

[ohwell28]

Thanks again doctor, & AnnaE. I have an appointment w/ my regular opthamologist this coming Wed., and am going to ask for a referral to a local retinal specialist. I also have an appointment w/ a retinal opthamologist at the Cleveland clinic in July. I just wanna be 100% sure I have no retinal problems, & if I do, I'll get them fixed. I'll keep everyone posted. Thanks again.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

If you are still having flashes a few months out, you may want to see a retinal specialist just to make sure there are no "difficult to see" retinal holes or breaks.  Usually the flashes start to diminish in 1 or 2 weeks after a PVD.  If they last longer, I often get curious is maybe there might be a small retinal break that I missed.  In general though, if the retina is going to detach it is most likely to detach early in the course of the PVD.  It can detach later due to a new retinal tear or an old one that was perhaps very hard to find.

Michael Kutryb, MD

[AnnaE]

The answer Dr. Kutryb gave you earlier applies to these questions--correct me if I am wrong.

I have had flashing lights in my right eye for 15 months--same time my retina detached. But I have had lattice degeration for many years, and my daughter's retinas detached, also.

For most people, with no risks like mine, PVD happens smoothly. Watch for an increase in flasher or floaters, especially black dot-like moving floaters, and a "veil or curtain in the periphery, that looks like a huge floater.

However, you are so correct to monitor it.

Welcome to the eye care community.
I am not a doctor. I am a community leader, and an eye patient.

You may see onther signs of PVD, before it completes. Google Weiss ring.

The doctor will answer you soon--I cannot answer the "out of the woods" part..
PVD is at various stages when a doctor first sees it.

I hope everything goes fine.