[Peppermint_Patty]

Hi All,

I suffer from myopia (near sightedness) but I've always had very good eyesight.

Recently though... I noticed that my left eye seems to see things a little bit darker than my right eye. I also noticed that when I look at a blank light colored wall, my left eye sees a large circular gray transluscent spot.

In addition, I also can't see very well at distance, or see very well in low light with my left eye even when wearing my glasses.

And I can't read very well with my left eye either... even though I am near sighted and have no astigmatism.

Sooo... I contacted my optometrist and went for an exam on Saturday and she said that the poor vision that I am now experiencing in my left eye is due to a "vitreous detachment" and a large "floater".

So my questions to the board are:

1. I've never had "floaters" before... do they disappear/move/fade out in time?? This big circular thing is directly in my line of vision which makes it hard to see stuff.

2. Also has anyone had a "vitreous detachment"? Will the blurriness associated with that go away at some point?

The optometrist seemed to act like all of it wasn't any big deal, that it will clear up in time, but then she said to call her ASAP if I start seeing lots of floaters, sparks, or if I start seeing a curtain coming down or across my left eye-- which would indicate a detached or torn retina!!! YIKES!!!

Anywho... since this news was all pretty scary, I made an appointment to see an opthomalogist (Eye MD) on Thursday to get more answers.

Has anyone else experienced eye problems like this?

Peppermint Patty

[bebop]

I have something similar but can't remember the name exactly. mine look like pieces of lint floating around in my eyes and more recently little circles floating around. eye also told me to watch out for the sparklies. go in asap if I have them so it could be treated.

[Mandocello]

A posterior vitreous detachment, especially when it occurs in an acute fashion, has a high "worry to serious" ratio. In other words, it is annoying, distracting, and worrisome far beyond its pathological significance.

The liquid gel (vitreous) that fills up the space in the eyeball between the lens and the retina has a circular attachment around the optic nerve. Commonly, this connection comes undone and a ring of collagen can be seen "floating" in front of the retina. That is the "floater." The patient sees the shadow of this ring when it passes in the line of sight and the ambient light is such to create a shadow.

Along with the ring, many people experience turbulence in the surrounding gel that will create transient blurriness, dimming, or similar unwanted effects in the central vision.

It sounds like you are experiencing this turbulence. A vitreous detachment creates an entirely different type of floater than those we all have and many see. When it happens in an acute fashion, like after poking your eye, you have a slightly increased risk of a retinal tear or detachment (for about a year) but this is not common.

Over time, the floater tends to settle into a relatively consistent position and your brain will ignore it. Most people will still see it forever, but after a while, they have to look for it and it does not interfere with day to day vision. The accompanying turbulence should subside, also. Some people are more disturbed by the changes than others, but there is no reasonable treatment for the PVD.

As long as it was correctly diagnosed as a vitreous detachment (not a difficult diagnosis) the Ophthalmologist will not do anything more than monitor (with a dilated exam) at the maximum level your insurance allows. It is usually not a big deal as far as being a threat to your vision, despite the ever present annoyance.

Hope that helps