Saturday, July 31, 2004
BIG WORDS = BIG TROUBLE
Last March I developed an annoying condition in my right eye. It is called Posterior Vitreous Detachment. This occurs when the vitreous humor of the eye contracts or shrinks and eventually separates from the retina. It doesn’t usually manifest itself in people until they are in their 80’s or 90’s. However, it usually happens earlier in life to those who are near-sighted. And I have always been extremely near-sighted.
The symptoms are a lot of black “floaters” in front of the eye. A more serious indication of the problem is when you see brilliant flashes of light. I have had both of these symptoms in my right eye since last March. I have been to the eye doctor several times since then. It had gotten better and was bearable.
But Wednesday night while I was at church, the symptoms appeared in the left eye this time. They are worse than they were in the right eye. I used to only see the flashing light on the right side when it was completely dark and I turned my head just to the right sort of fast. But last Wednesday night I began seeing lots of black floaters in front of my left eye and I saw flashing lights with both eyes all around most of the time even though there was bright light in the church building. This condition has persisted for several days. I am getting more used to it but it still clouds the vision somewhat. And the black floaters are annoying. I can’t tell if there is dirt on my glasses or spots on my shirt or just what I am seeing.
I thought about going to the eye doctor. But I am pretty sure I know what is happening. I know that it will either get better or I’ll get more used to these symptoms. So I have decided to wait it out. The Ophthalmologist would just dilate my eyes and do a long examination. That is what he has done every time I have returned for a check-up on my right eye. Now he’ll have to do both eyes.
My main concern is that this condition doesn’t develop into a retinal tear or a hole. This could lead to retinal detachment. That would be much more serious. But since the symptoms are like they were with the right eye (although more severe and pronounced) I have decided to wait awhile. If the condition is just the Posterior Vitreous Detachment, the floaters will probably become less annoying in a few weeks or months. Hopefully the light flashes won’t continue to be so pronounced.
As long as there isn’t a hole or a retinal detachment there is very little risk of loss of vision. Hopefully my life can go on normally.
Jim
posted by jim 9:22 PM 0 comments
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