Ongoing problem with vitreous detachment, any advice appreciated.

[APaleHorse]

Hi all,

I'm a 50 year old male. About 6 months ago I had a posterior vitreous detachment in my right eye. There was a period of flashing lights followed by a large number of floaters (cobwebs and groups of dots). It was quite upsetting at the time, but my optometrist said it was not uncommon and I'd eventually get used to it but there was some risk of retinal detachment. Other than that my eyes were heatlhy.

This week (so 6 months later) I've had the same thing happen in my left eye - 2 days of flashing lights like a c shape in the outer eye, then a large number of floaters appeared. Worse than the right eye. They are like cobwebs and are quite obstructive to my vision. No vision loss though thankfully. So my questions are:

1. Since I've been advised to 'get used to it over time' should I just ignore the new events as a progression of the detachment process and let it run it's course? Should I just suck it up as I'm getting on a bit and it's just normal?
2. What's causing this to happen after again after 6 months and should I be concerned given the length of time?
3. I've heard good things about laser treatement to break up the floaters, does anyone know anything about that? I'm keen as it's llike I'm looking through a snow globe, so anything that helps would be great.

I've worked in IT for a long time and I'm fairly sure staring at computer screens all day every day has ruined my eyes. I was 20/20 up until my mid 40's, now I'm around +2.

Any help and advise is very much appreciated. Thanks very much.

[JohnHaganMD]

See below

[JohnHaganMD]

I would see an ophthalmologist Eye MD, if possible a retina specialist. I think the exam is much better, the training is much more extensive. When the vitreous peals off the back of the eye (PVD) its a process rather than an event that may last weeks to months. That's why we always tell patients if their symptoms worsen, return or intensify return for a repeat exam. Hope springs eternal for treating floaters. Laser (specifically the yag laser) has been very disappointing.  The large C shaped floater you see is likely a Weiss Ring (read about). I have one in my right eye. I never thought I would get use to it but I completely suppress it now unless I go looking for it.  Using a computer for hours on end day after day, year after year does not damage or destroy vision. If it did most of the world would be blind. Prolonged screen time especially in the young is associated with dramatically rising rates of myopia, increasing rates of dry eyes even in the young and general eye fatigure which some have called computer eye syndromes. Again not cause blindness like glaucoma and macular degeneration.  

[APaleHorse]

Apologies but there was one other thing that concerns me. Could this be symptomatic of something else (viral, cancer, weakened immunity etc.) or is that unlikely?

I've had a lot of health issues in the past 12 months that in isolation are minor but worry me as it just seems to go on and on. I've had severe depression for 20 years and have taken Fluoxetine or Citalopram all that time. Thanks again.

[JohnHaganMD]

No not likely. Again suggest see an EyeMD and not leave this to non-MD, non-physician optometrist

[APaleHorse]

Hi Dr Hagan,

Thanks very much for your advice. I called the eye specialists office and they asked me a few questions about what was happening and said I definitely need to come in.

I have appointment with my optometrist mid week who will then give me a referral to the specialist (they are referral only).

Have a great weekend

[JohnHaganMD]

Yes best of luck to you.