Viagra and eye floaters

[Tincatinca]

I took one half of a 100mg Viagra tablet last week (so approx 50mg)
I have taken it before but only rarely and not for over 2 years.
I am 61 years of age.
The following morning I developed a large eye 'floater'. (left eye)
It os black and shaped like a fish hook and it is driving me mad!
It is worse when I am looking at a light background
I also have a slight flash when like a rainbow effect straight line at the left hand side of my vision if I look right when it is dark.
I have been to the optician who cannot see any sign of retinal detachment and says that it is 'just one of those things' and that it will never go away and that I will be stuck with it forever.
He has made me an appointment to see an eye specialist but I have been told this will take months as it is not urgent.
Firstly, is it true that floaters never go away? This one is so distracting I am considering buying an eye patch!
Also could it have been caused by the 50mg of Viagra? It was only when I started to think about anything that I might have done to cause it that I thought about the viagra as being the only unusual thing. Then when I googled it I was shocked to see that it can damage eyesight. Surely it should be banned if it can do this?
Anyway that is not fro your comment .. just could it be the Viagra and will the floater never go?

[Tincatinca]

Thanks for the prompt response. I think I will go to eye casualty tomorrow if this may be urgent. When I telephoned the hospital after my appointment with my optician they said that they would send my details to a consultant and he would let me know if he wanted to see me! It sounds as if I should be seeing someone right away. Thanks again

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

I do not believe this was caused by Viagra.  It usually causes a vascular problem.

The new onset of floater should be considered an urgent condition.  It is may be associated with retinal tears and subsequent retinal detachment.

Dr. O.