eyes

[mumsie_wumsie]

Hi I wonder if any one could tell me what this is. Last night, just out of the blue, I started seeing something floating in front of my left eye. It looks like a cobweb(the only way I can describe it) and when I move my eye it obviously moves too. Does anyone have any idea what this could be as its a bit un-nerving. I am diabetic and am wondering if it has any connection to this.

[LoftyLottie]

Sorry. Just read DEN's answer and I have repeated what she said. Her explanation was better than mine.

My last episode happened about 3 weeks ago. I wasn't worried this time as I knew what it was but the doctor still insisted I go to the eye clinic to get it checked out.

Please don't worry. Retinal tears don't happen very often, but if they do then the quicker they are treated the more chance you have that all will be OK.

[LoftyLottie]

Don't leave it for a couple of days, just in case!

[mumsie_wumsie]

LoftyLottie,thanks for your` reply. By what you have said has made me very worried. I will make an appoinment with my GP ASAP. Is there treatment for it then? sorry for delay in replying but have been busy with grand children.

[Sqad]

Another panicky thread got out of hand.

mumsy...there is no need to panic....that is the first thing.

There is no treatment for floaters.

Retinal tears are extremely uncommon and you would have other symptoms.

If you are now extremely concerned which is obvious, don't go to your GP, go to the A&E of your hospital which has an Eye Department. (Not all have)

Calm down.

[mumsie_wumsie]

Well panic I did Squad!!! Anyway I got an appointment straight away at my GP,and she has looked in my eye, cannot see anything serious or worrying, but has faxed through to the emergency opthalmic clinic for an appointment just to check things out a bit more thorough than they can at the docs surgery. Must say though that I am glad I have been to docs, just for re-assurance. Thanks to you all for your comments and help.

[Sqad]

mumsie...thanks for the feedback....all will be well.

[DEN53]

Oh mumsie, I am sorry if my answer made you panic, it wasn't mean't to. Glad you got it checked out. I am sure they are only floaters. (:o) xx

[mumsie_wumsie]

haha Den53, doesn't take much to panic me these days, but I was glad of all the info I got from you all. And it has put my mind at rest a bit now I have been to the docs. At least now I will get a thorough check over, and I'm sure it will all be fine.

[york310]

PVD - most common in women in 50s and 60s and generally benign. Warrant investigation ASAP to rule out retinal trauma in my opinion but detachment is very rare.
Http://www.goodhope.o...ments/eyedept/pvd.htm

Local enhanced eye care services across the country. E.g.

http://www.wakefieldd...ices/opticians/pears/

http://www.wales.nhs....m?pid=13555&orgid=562

My advice to people with recent onset floaters is to phone their optometrist to see if they are registered with these schemes. Our county wide schemescheme has these appointments for flashes and floaters, red eyes, dry eye symptoms, double vision, and recent onset blurred vision. You can just book an appointment with a local registered optometrist and have your symptoms investigated. These appointments are paid for by the PCT.

In your circumstances you would have your pupils dilated for thorough investigation to rule out retinal trauma and if necessary would be referred directly to the local ophthalmology department. Most would be reassured with advice to seek urgent attention if symptoms change/worsen.

[Dee Sa]

please get your eyes checked by a specialist, my hubby has lost his sight thru diabetes and believe me you dont realise how precious your eye sight is until its too late. I dont think this will happen in your case but just to be on the safe side go.
Dont know where you live but Moorfields Eye hospital have 24 hour walk in clinic in London.

[LoftyLottie]

Sorry, didn't mean to panic you :o(.

I had hoped I had made it clear that retinal tears are uncommon but that it is important to check for them.

Glad you have made an appointment.

[LoftyLottie]

Squad, My reply wasn't out of hand and neither was DEN's. We gave correct information from experience (and in my case very recent experience). GP's do refer to emergency eye clinics for new floaters and flashes or you should go to A&E. They take eyes very seriously.

[Sqad]

Lofty

10 50 " bit un-nerving"

15.32 " By what you have said has made me very worried."

Well, I agree it is difficult sometimes to answer a question without being "alarmist" but i feel that we have failed miserably on this thread turning someone from being " a bit unnerving" to "very worried" in a matter of 3hours.

The thread in my opinion needed putting into context.

[LoftyLottie]

Agreed, but I tried my very hardest not to be alarming. Pointless mumsie wumsie just waiting to see for a few days if it had been a very rare retinal tear.

Apart from saying. Don't worry, it's fine nothing wrong. How else could I have worded it better.

[Sqad]

lofty.....like you normally do, "see your GP" or "go to the local Casualty dept"........I appreciate the difficult and it is not easy at times not to instill panic (which we did on this occasion)

The "feel" and "drama" if the thread suddenly accelerated with the words like retinal tear were introduced. I felt that to avoid panic, my post was needed.

[LoftyLottie]

OK Sqad I do see your point.

But 'Go to A&E or the local eye casualty dept' would have panicked me more without an explanation of why. We are all different.

[Sqad]

lofty...maybe....maybe....difficult I know. ;-)

[mumsie_wumsie]

Oh dear, I didn't mean to cause any friction between you sqad and LoftyLottie. I was very grateful for both your comments and advice and very pleased that you took the trouble to reply to my question. Am now just waiting for the appointment date which I am assured will not be long.I live in Colchester which has a very good Opthalmic clinic, so I am happy with that. York310 and De Sa, I have noted both of your advice and thank you for it. See my comment, that I have made all necessary appointments, or waiting for it. It probably wouldn't have bothered me so much if I wasn't diabetic, as I do know that this does cause eye sight problems if left. I will update when I know more.......Thanks to you ALL

[Sqad]

mumsie....no big deal......Lofty and I know each other well and are friends....no harm has been done.

[LoftyLottie]

Old friends Mumsie! No worries. We love each other really!!