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3051583 tn?1352465761

White see-through haze in both eyes when I move them. Advice please!

35 male. This suddenly occurred 6 weeks ago while I was teaching my students in class. It definitely is a new thing.

Hard to explain, but it happens when I move my eyes left to right along with looking at something bright in the background.  As with my classroom with the bright windows in the background. Students in front of the window are quite dull indeed. But can occur in front of a bright laptop or watching TV too.

Depending on the brightness of the background, this white haze takes up 50% of my vision and flashes across in the OPPOSITE direction to the movement of my eyes. It does mimic floaters in the fact that they appear to keep moving for a millisecond longer after I stop moving my eyes. But they disappear a millisecond after I stop moving my eyes. They never block my vision as they disappear! Its more of one big haze in each eye. Not many smaller ones.

This began at a time where I was getting strange pressure headaches and some stress too. Occurred a week after a CT scan for the sinuses (all normal) and a week of anti-biotic usage and steroid nasal spray for suspected ear infection (ENT later found no problems with my ears). So I had an MRI of the head, all normal. Then I had my eyes checked by an optometrist. Initially without dilation, then the following week with dilation which included retinal photography and "puff test" of the eye for glaucoma.

Results all normal.

Still noticing this, another optometrist recently conducted a test with an OCT scanner. All normal.

I just came back from a skiing holiday and noticed the more usual floater symptoms (although ones I have never seen before) of BLACK squiggly lines and blotches in vision when looking at the snow.

Other possibly non related symptoms are dry eyes, noticeable blood vessels moving in towards the iris from all sides of the sclera. Random sandy feeling in eyes which at times appear to come from one of these blood vessels. Tender temples (although better recently) and muscle tightness in neck and under chin. Severe tinnitus!

Recent other tests: blood work including C-Reactive Protein and a Liver function test. Normal.

Thanks for reading my crazy rantings! Its just I have never heard of anyone discuss such floaters. Usually only small defined shaped ones. Advice would be appreciated.
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3051583 tn?1352465761
Thanks, however as I said, the optometrist checked my retina and conducted an OCT scan.

I am going again today, however this is the third time.

So can floaters be this abnormal?
Helpful - 1
1 Comments
hey cloadburster i have the same haze thign in my eye but from what i've read with the other comments you can kind of move them around when you move your eyes mine just seem to come and go as they please at random times they do come sometimes when lighting change but when i try to get them to come again i cant but they do come up more mostly when im on the computer
3051583 tn?1352465761
Update to this old thread: After receiving tens if not hundreds of emails regarding this phenomenon from concerned people around the world from all different backgrounds and ages, I have finally created a video to help visualise what is seen in our vision. See: https://youtu.be/aMl2B7IQf4A
Helpful - 0
4 Comments
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Nice work. What you have demonstrated is floaters come in all sizes and shapes, just like people.
Thanks John for the feedback. It's not exact. Usually the floater passes by much quicker but viewers get the idea at least. Thanks for all your support to the floater community!
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Avatar universal
About 6 weeks ago i have experienced light sensitivity, eye irritation and an increase in floaters as well as the white fog patch moving opposite direction of where i am looking.  With additional symptoms of dry eye, headaches and dizziness  i have seen  my primary as well as 3 eye doctors. None of the eye doctors are able to see what i am experiencing and tell me there is nothing to treat.
Has anyone had any success with their eye doctor?
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13 Comments
Hopefully the eye doctors were eye MD ophthalmologists.  Not non MD optometrists.  If you have not seen eye MD need to see one. If you have seen Eye MD you might see a retina/vitreous specialist. The most common thing that causes your symptoms is posterior vitreous detachment and vitreous floaters and opacities.
You've had three optometrists? I'd say you are fine. In my experience and of others I've spoken to since starting this thread, the optometrists have been more thorough and used the same, if not better, equipment than that of the opthalmologist. You really could keep seeing specialists until you run out of money.
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My optometrist is top-notch in my opinion, and does have a well-equipped practice including an OCT scanner, but he referred me to the appropriate ophthalmologists for matters that required special expertise and equipment without hesitation.
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It was 1 optometrist, 1 ophthalmologist, and 1 uveitis specialist that were unable to diagnose this issue. I also have a constant 24 hour headache that my ENT believes is from tmj. I work in IT and with my eyes starting back and forth looking at the screen the haze is always getting in the way. I can only last about 4-6 hours on and off looking at the computer monitor before eyes are burning and headache escalates.  Anyway, today I am going to see a neuro ophthalmologist. Will keep you all posted.
Life and medicine would be great if all problems were easy to diagnose and treat. Do update when you know something about the cause.
Just got back from the doctor.  Dr Buono diagnosed the issue as Vitreous Syneresis and said this is normal with aging though it is more common in older patients who tend not to notice it as often because their fluid is much thinner. I'm 46. He was a caring person and took the time to thoroughly explain it and make sure I was comfortable with the info.  
Vitreous syneresis  just means the jello like vitreous is turning to water like vitreous like when you pour hot water on jello.  It is the cause of posterior vitreous detachments. PVDs
Finally saw a retina specialist. OCT scan reveal I have pvd completed in right eye and pvd still in process on left eye. The white haze is "possibly a glare off the collapsed vitreous".  Note the haze is more prominent in my completed eye (right eye). Floaters in right eye have calmed. Left eye floaters are still floating. Doc says probably 3-9 months before they possibly calm down.
Glad you have an explanation, glad its not anything serious.
Thanks for the update, Ken.
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Avatar universal
I panicked about this for months!   Truly think it was all related to anxiety.  I've been "dying" from other weird sensations/experiences since.   Haha. Relax, have a doctor check things out, and carry on with life.   Health anxiety is a wicked thing.  
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Anxiety is one of life's greatest burdens
Avatar universal
I have this same issue in my right eye. When I turn my head right, the white haze moves across my field of vision like a windshield wiper, moving to the left. When I turn my head left, it moves to the right. So, bottom line, do you think this is harmless>
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
It can only be diagnosed and a prognosis given after an exam by an ophthalmologist eye MD.
Maggie, from what you have said, yes.   But go check out an optometrist at least.
Avatar universal
I have the same thing with the white hazy streaks when looking at bright lights even outside. I'm pretty sure they are the same huge cobweb floaters that appear grey when looking at a blue sky. But they look like white hazy streaks when they pass over lights like a tv in the dark or in a store with flourscent lighting.people here are thinking they are a different type than the grey floaters but they are the same ones they just look different to us in different lighting conditions. These hazy streaks are the most devastating about floaters for me.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
There is no safe and effective treatment of floaters.
Avatar universal
Hi, Cloudburster are you still around? I recently had this happen, wanted to discuss with you further! I'm big into researching health and finding solutions, I think we can empower each other!
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Avatar universal
Hi, Cloudburster are you still around? I recently had this happen, wanted to discuss with you further! I'm big into researching health and finding solutions, I think we can empower each other!
Helpful - 0
3 Comments
hi i found out i get a white haze following my eyes when looking outside of a window thats bright outside if i move my eyes really quickly then look streight back outside i get a white haze flash when i took my glasses off now i  started get them when im wearing my glasses if i squeze my eyes really tight and repeat the process it goes away for a bit about 5 or ten seconds then its back again.
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Yep, still alive and seeing fine.
Avatar universal
Also have your blood pressure checked. High blood pressure can cause blurred and hazy vision.
Helpful - 0
177275 tn?1511755244
laser for torn retina does not get rid of the floaters it seals the tear shut so you would expect you to continue to see floaters. Floaters are more, or less, visible depending on the background and attention you are paying them. Discuss with your eye surgeon Eye MD ophthalmologist.
Helpful - 0
177275 tn?1511755244
This thread has been inactive since 2014. If you want to state your problem I would be happy to see if i can offer any useful comments. JCH MD
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
hello i've recently been seeing these white haze floaters like ppl have said so i went to the doctors and they told me my retina was torn in the right eye and somwhat Detached in the left so they gave me laser eye surgery after that i still have been able to see these white floaters they come at random   sometimes more when lighting changes but i see them mostly when i use the computer
Avatar universal
Well, I didn't mean "Interesting" in the previous post. Sorry, English is not my mother tongue.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi.
It was so interesting to find that you have (had?) exactly the same symptom as mine:
Since about 2 weeks ago, I see an almost white, see-through thing in my left eye, only when I move my eye. And mostly when I look at a bright screen (my computer monitor). And it moves in the opposite direction!

Today I did some small tests and some how concluded that it is the reflection of what I am looking at. I mean I think the white thing is not really in my eye. To test it I displayed different colors on the screen. Actually I couldn't see the exact change of color in the "cloud", but its density definitely changed accordingly.
Also when I turn my head towards one side, then this thing only sweeps (is visible) in the region that the monitor is located.

So... Is yours also like this? Is it dangerous?
(I'm still in the panic phase. Could it be a sign of MS?)
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Hi Orion. Sorry for late response. I believe my replies are being deleted. I'm fine. I don't see the haze any longer. How are you?
7765252 tn?1395096028
Yes, Cloudburster, it appeared a few days after I had cataract surgery in that eye.  Probably that was enough stress for more "stuff" to cut loose.  I am nearsighted, too.
Helpful - 0
3051583 tn?1352465761
Hi Nancy. It is always interesting to hear from others with this condition. I have found many have first seen this after a stressful period, as I did. Is this the case with you?
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7765252 tn?1395096028
Cloudburster, I tend to agree with TrapperV.  Likely post vitreous detachment.  

I have the same thing right now. Like a small hazy sheet moving in the opposite direction that I move my eye, but only see it when staring at a bright light.  The vitreous detachment started suddently about 2 years ago  and I went immediately to the doctor to rule out retinal detachment.  

The doctor said the vitreous doesn't always detach all at once. At a recent appointment he said he saw what I was referring to briefly in my eye but couldn't locate it second time, so it must not be easy for a Dr. to see it from outside.  He said it is not serious and will probably move out of the vision field eventually.

Just my experience, FWIW
Helpful - 0
3051583 tn?1352465761
Hi there. It is true, it is rare for specialists to see eye floaters as they are so translucent. Your "flash" sounds just like what I have. Mine do not look like a floater. They do not have a defined border. Kind of like a smear of clear grease on my eye. Yours may be so large that you do not see them move as they cover your whole vision. But if you see them in the same conditions like me, which it appears you do, I would say it is exactly what I have. If the flash is just appearing for no reason (without moving your eyes or in any light condition), then I would investigate it further. At the moment, I really wouldn't be concerned.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, I was curious to know if you have figured out whats going on?  I had Lasik about 6 months ago and about 3 months after the procedure I started seeing a large number of floaters.  Soon there after I began experiencing a flash of fog/haze in my field of vision when I look to the side, or move my eyes back and forth (most noticeable when in a darker room and looking outside or if I look at lights on the ceiling).  It sounds similar to what you describe, however, it doesnt seem to mimic a floater and doesnt move in any particular direction.  I definitely see numerous black squiggly lines and clear blobs prior to and after the flash.  There is just a flash of fog/haze then it goes away.  Its almost like when you breath on a cold window and it fogs up and goes away really fast.  I told my surgeon about it and he did a thorough look and said he didnt see anything, but he also said he doesnt see floaters either.  So Im not sure what is going on there.  Anyway, Im not sure what to do, but its definitely a cause for some major concern.
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3051583 tn?1352465761
Hi there

Don't worry! If your Optometrist cannot find anything wrong it is probably what we all have, hazy floaters. Read my posts above.

Nobody with this condition has ever lost their sight.

Cheers
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i am having the same  type of problem. the optometrist doesnt seem to find any abnormality but i am having this fear of loosing sight and its just the start of career am only 22. does ur doctor will this result in loss of sight. though this is very irritating  the more i try to look at them the more i seem haze and the more stressfull i become. please comment quick.
Helpful - 0
3051583 tn?1352465761
Dand121, you really seem to have the classic floater example there. My mum has one but it is in a different position in the eye where she can make out the shape of it, which is a triangle.

Anyway, I thought I would let you all know that I did a test with 16 students this week. I lined them up in a dark room facing the bright windows on the other side. I got them to move their eyes left and right a few times.

Over half saw what they described to me as a glob or haze sheet moving across their eyes. Only 2 of them saw the haze move in the opposite direction to eye movement.

The ones that saw it were quite startled stating they had never seen it before. Which seems to confirm my thoughts that we all probably have this haze in different strengths but most of us simply look through it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have something very similar. The eye tests all came up nagative and the optometrist just said that the vision in my rights eye had deteriorated and I needed glasses when using a VDU. I'm not convinced though because if I move the eye I get a second or so of perfectly clear vision then the haze seems to drift back over it again, whether I wear the glasses or not.
It's very frustrating as it just came on so suddenly.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am sorry, Cloudburster. My previous post was supposed to be a reply to you, but I misspelled your name.
Have a great day!
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Avatar universal
Thanks a lot for your reply! Frankly, I feel a little better knowing that I am not alone with this problem, and this white haze is not the end of the world :)
All the best to you!
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