Slightly off topic but optom help needed please!

[Pat A]

Michael
That is really good news. As you say floaters can be a real pain but our brains do adjust to them. Strangely I haven't developed any (more) in my left eye since the cataract op - but I had a day a few weeks ago where I suddenly developed flashing lights for an hour and then a load of floaters in my right eye. Mine are pale grey cobwebs mainly! (And yes - I hotfooted it off to my optician to get it checked out straight away at the time 'cos it scared me!!)

Best wishes from another wrinkly - now on crutches!!

Pat

[John Smith]

Hi Michael,

I'm really glad that your floaters are nothing more serious. It must have been a weight off your mind.

[Michael P]

Thanks everybody for your advice and concern.

My brother assures me that I will have the pleasure of having floaters in my other eye within the next 6 months or so. That's something to look forward to.

The interesting thing about all this is that about 6 weeks ago when I first started piggybacking (in fact I first noticed whilst I was at MEH being fitted up with the soft lenses) the vision in my affected eye had deteriorated somewhat although I didn't notice the floaters.

Since the floaters have really taken hold, the vision in the past few days has IMPROVED again and is sharper, despite the floaters causing a regular and intermittent blurring. Very strange!

[John Smith]

I wonder if this is because the floaters are sheilding your retina from some of the stray light that shouldn't be aiming there! That way you would (I think) get a sharper image.

[Lynn White]

Drat!! Missed this one Michael - though I would have told you to go and get it checked out anyway...

Floaters are a problem in that you can't reassure anyone they are OK unless someone looks at the back of the eye. Mostly they ARE OK and are just as you say .. onset of dreaded wrinkyness!

The improvement of vision may be becasue your eye is settling under the piggybacking rather than anything to do with the floaters!

[Michael P]

Thanks for that Lynn.

I am sure I will get used to the floaters and in the scheme of things, at least for the moment, are more an irritation than anything else. Some days seem better than others, possibly because I am not thinking about them.

From a recreation point of view, just as I had reached the stage of sometimes seeing my golf ball land, it is now lost in a sea of dots. Such is life

[Michael P]

Panic over, retina fine .

I seem to have a pretty large floater which, hopefully I will get used to.

All part of the ageing process for us wrinklies over the age of 50 .

After my examination the optom/comsultant reached into a large large tray full of leaflets containing information for patients with flashes and floaters and handed me one. They obviously see a whole load of patients like me!

CORRECTION!!!!!

I went to MEH yesterday morning to have my piggybacking checked out under the brilliant care of Steve Bailey. This was at 10.00am. After having listened to me and having checked me out as a result of what I had to say, I had an emergency operation for a detached retina at 3.00pm!

The prognosis is good but it would seem my golfing holiday in Portugal is down the pan

I am extremely grateful for a great spot by Mr Bailey.

[Pat A]

Oh Michael - I am sorry to hear that - but pleased you have been sorted out so quickly. Could have been disastrous while you were away . Just goes to show the importance of getting things checked out doesn't it (even if not spotted first time round:oops: )

When were you supposed to be off to Portugal? And is it because you've been advised not to fly? Or the risk of you imbibing too much with your golfing friends !!!!!!..?

[Michael P]

Pat

I was supposed to go on 5th October. Gas has been put into my eye and I must not fly with it in. There is an outside chance it will have been removed (or does it dissipate?) by then but I can't imagine I will be allowed to wear my lens so soon.

Meanwhile I have to sleep on my front with my left cheek on the pillow for 7 days; not very comfortable. Still it could have been worse. I was warned I might also have had to posture on my left side for 50 minutes in every hour throughout the day so I have got off lightly!

[John Smith]

Hi Michael,

I'm really glad that your retina was spotted. Look on the bright side (as I'm sure you will) - at least you don't have to put up with those huge floaters now!

Hope you continue to improve soon, and that we'll see you fit and well at the next social.