Floaters and high myopia...I am in an dilemma..Help me...

[sourabhforu]

Hi,
I am new to this forum..I hope I am posting this right...
Well, I am 22 years old and work as a software engineer and hence have to sit in front of the computer for several hours each day. I have high myopia (-8.00 in both eyes). Everything was really fine with my life until I met an accident on 26th January, 2009.I got badly hurt especially around the eyes. After the accident, I noticed a large floater in one eye. I have visited an eye specialist several times and he just prescribed a few vitamin A pills and eye drops for few months after examining my eye. However, I have noticed another small floater in the same eye now and a small floater in another eye. These floaters are really a nuisance and now I have developed an inferiority complex and a lot of insecurity. When I see my friends with healthy eyes, I feel sad for myself. Also, I have a fear that if these floaters continue and due to my high myopia, I may become blind because I have to strain my eyes by sitting in front of a computer. These fears have taken the fun out of my job. Also, I proposed to my girlfriend before these floaters and now I feel that I am no longer fit for her. These thoughts are just killing me and I don't know what to do.

[JohnHaganMD]

Likely causes:

1. 1. Floaters are normal for high myopes and indeed the entire population as they grow older (50% by age 50 and 70% by age 70).
2. There is no cure for floaters, no drops or ointments or pills. Laser doesn't help and vitrectomy is almost never indicated.

NEXT

Awareness of entopic phenomena especially flying corpusle. read the Wikipedia section on entopic phenomena and the discussions here on MedHelp.org

[Bhang05]

Hi. I am 16 years old.I have astigmatism. In my both eyes i have seen like floating objects even in evening,this is almost 3 weeks.Feels like raining even not. I visited opthal many times but they are not helping. Please i need answers

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

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[sourabhforu]

Thanks Dr. Hagan....I was just concerned that the flashes may be indicating a future retinal detachment so I thought I would confirm it...God bless you...

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

try not shaking your head vigorously.   You can cause flashes (entopic phenonema) from moving your eyes or head rapidly even though they are quite heavy.

JCH MD

[sourabhforu]

Hi Dr. Hagan...my psychiatrist's appointment went really well....and I was quite relaxed...However, out of curiosity, I tried shaking my head in darkness, and I could see 1 or 2 flashes...is it normal?

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

Good luck.  
JCH MD

[sourabhforu]

Just made an appointment for this Friday....already feel a little lighter....thank you Dr. Hagan...may God bless you

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

I have floaters, they drive me nuts if I think about them, most of us learn to tune them out. Good luck with the anxiety treatment. There are many very good ways to deal with it.

JCH MD

[sourabhforu]

Thank you Dr. Hagan...I am myself considering seeing a psychiatrist because these issues are really troubling me...just thought I should first seek professional opinion from an ophthalmologist and other people with similar experiences before making the move...  

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

1. Floaters are normal for high myopes and indeed the entire population as they grow older (50% by age 50 and 70% by age 70).
2. There is no cure for floaters, no drops or ointments or pills. Laser doesn't help and vitrectomy is almost never indicated.
3. Computer use 14 hrs/day will not cause blindness nor make the computer worse.
4. You have anxiety and esteem issues that sound like they need professional help. Consider seeing a psychiatrist (no I'm not kidding).

JCH MD