Huge dark circle in one eye

[melinda68]

A few weeks ago I noticed a large black disk in my right eye that I can see best when I look to the right with my left eye closed. It looks sort of like the big spots you get when you push on the side of your eye with your finger. It's only in the one eye though and it's scaring me. I had my eyes dilated and there was nothing to explain it. Could it be a pressure phosphene?
Thank you

[melinda68]

I had my eyes dilated and checked for retinal detachment or tears because of this problem last week. He looked very carefully all around the perimeter and said my retinas looked good. Should I have it checked again?

[melinda68]

I should add, I don't really notice it when I'm just looking around with both eyes open unless I'm beside a brightly lit white wall, for example, or I blink hard. It's perfectly round and looks like the dark circle you get when you push on your eye

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

When you blink hard your eyelids push on your eye and will create a pressure entopic phenomena.  However when you posted I interpreted your post that the black spot was there all the time. If it is a pressure phosphene is should fade in a few seconds after a hard blink or finger on the lid. If that is not the case and your first exam was b y a non-physician, non-MD optometrist then I would see a Eye MD ophthalmologist and have a macular OCT.

[melinda68]

Thank you, doctor. It was an optometrist who dilated my eyes. I am scheduled for an OCT next month. I'm assuming an optometrist would be able to see a retinal tear or detachment or vein occlusion or other emergency condition?

[melinda68]

I didn't notice this problem until I started checking each eye against a brightly lit white wall. Now I am obsessed with it and can see it all the time :(

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

The training of a non-MD optometrist is much less than a MD ophthalmologist. I would suggest your schedule your follow up exam with an Eye MD ophthalmologist rather than returning to the non-physician.

[melinda68]

But the optometrist would have ruled out emergency things, yes? I am very anxious about this and can't eat

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

I answered your question thoughtfully and to the best I can from Kansas City Missouri.  If you see this all the time its a problem. If it only when you blink hard or press on the eye and goes away quickly not likely to be a problem. I know knowing about the optometrist that examined your eye. Especially those that practice in chains or one hour places.  

[melinda68]

Thing is, I probably would never have found it in the first place if I hadn't been closing one eye and looking all around white wall with the open eye. Now I can't NOT see it :/

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

=

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

No way to tell you need to see an Eye MD ophthalmologist for an exam. Start work on the appointment tomorrow.