Eye and Retina Care

[livinitup]

Today, was our second visit with the retina specialist for eye care for H and I’ve been meaning to share what I learned.

About 10 days ago, H said he could see “flashes” if he looked straight or to the left. No other pain or fever or other symptoms. It was enough to freak him out. It started on a Saturday and when it didn’t go away on its own he called his PCP on Monday. The nurse told him to go the Urgent Care, who told him to go to the Emergency Department for an on-call ophthalmologist who could give him a slit test. We did. Turns out we could have gone to one of the eye care places where we only think of getting an eye exam for a prescription and glasses. We learned they have all of the good equipment for more complex eye exams and could have done the slit test - which looks inside the eye. I’m sharing that gem for the class to save anyone an ED visit.

The ED on-call ophthalmologist got us into the University eye care center the next day. That exam (with the really good equipment not just the rolling bag available in the ED & 2 experienced attending MDs) determined what H was seeing were called “flashes” and were a real and serious symptom of PVD (post vitreous detachment).

That got us a same-day appointment with the retinal specialist. Who did an even better scan and recommended laser surgery. In his office, that day. What a relief!

The laser sealed the tear before it lead to a retinal detachment and a much more serious eye surgery. That office said we could have made an appointment directly (if we knew it was a retina issue) or they get lots of referrals from the ophthalmologist at the ordinary eye exam (& prescription eye glasses) places. Anyway, we are very glad we found a very good retina-vitreous surgeon.

Yesterday, H had similar but new symptom - this time, large floaters. Then same eye specialist did the same exam and found another tear in the same (but previously untreated) area. Sort of on the bottom. The floaters were a symptom. Another laser surgery and H is feeling fine. The doctor was pleased he reported the new symptoms and came in quickly.

We are so grateful for good eye care options. I think most people are sensative about eye issues but even H hesitates about reporting weird symptoms like “flashes & floaters”. Turns out it’s serious and treatable.

[EvieEthelGarland]

I'm so glad he got the care he needed! I was blind in one eye for a few weeks in 2012 and my retina guy got it all resolved and I don't even remember which eye it was anymore. When the issue arose, my optometrist referred me to an ophthalmologist who had me meet him at his office on a Saturday so I could avoid the ER wait and copay. DH had to keep his 6yo entertained in the waiting room while I had my exam It was one of the scariest days of my life, but it was also the day I received the quickest and most compassionate healthcare from every provider I encountered. I have needed a few laser treatments over the years to keep things in order, but its been mostly good. I hope your husband continues to have similar success.

[noodleoo]

Thank you for sharing. I'm so glad your H took it seriously and was able to get it treated so quickly. I am nearsighted and my optometrist told me that makes me higher risk for retinal detachment. He always asks about flashes and floaters and has told me since I was a teenager that if I ever see them, to call right away.

My dad is having vision issues now from untreated glaucoma and it is really scary. I feel so bad for him but it is looking like he will have unreversible vision loss.  I don't know if he was having symptoms before but he has a history of not taking minor symptoms seriously so who knows.

[Susie]

Oct 15, 2024 12:44:57 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Thank you for sharing. I'm so glad your H took it seriously and was able to get it treated so quickly. I am nearsighted and my optometrist told me that makes me higher risk for retinal detachment. He always asks about flashes and floaters and has told me since I was a teenager that if I ever see them, to call right away

MH has nearsightedness in the -6.5 range, and he had a detached retina a couple of summers ago.  It was completely not on our radar to consider.  Part of me wonders if it could have been less disruptive if he'd recognized the signs sooner and sought treatment earlier.  Fortunately it was able to be repaired and he did not lose any vision in the long term.  He now sees the retina specialist every few months just for ongoing monitoring.

[meanie]

Echoing this, my H had an "eye stroke" and wrote it off as blurry vision from being overtired. It is so easy to dismiss our own seemingly small health problems.

Glad they were able to patch him up!

[mich1]

Just be aware that having treatment for this type of retinal detachment can speed up the presence of cataracts. DH had this done, and within a year he was having cataract surgery as they had gotten that bad, that fast.

[circa1978]

I guess I'll add to this since many people here are now on GLP1s, that can also impact your eyesight (and obviously diabetes can too). I had a scare last year about a bleed that turned out to be an artifact on a scan but got more eye tests run than I even knew existed because they are still figuring some of that out and are cautious. My vision has also changed since being on them in ways that are fine but I didn't expect that.

(ETA: unrelated, I learned then that I have developed a small cataract so you know, add that to the list of fun aging things.)

[texasharleygirl]

Eye care is so very important to me, especially since I am practically blind in my left eye (born with it). If I were to every lose my sight in the right one, I would effed. My left one cannot be corrected and it's scary to think about ever losing my abilities to drive, see, etc. I just had my eye exam and the left gets progressively worse, so I am very diligent about having those check ups. I am a Type 2 diabetic and with a congenital eye defect.

Glad your husband was able to get care so quickly and before it detached. My mom had a retinal detachment and it was a long road to recovery. She had to basically sit in one of those portable massage kneelers with a mirror so that she could see people and watch TV.

[shauni27]

I had to stop reading because eye stuff freaks me the fuck out, but overall, I am so glad to hear about your husband and getting the care he needs.

For about 2 weeks now, while my eyes are closed for long periods (basically when I am trying to fall asleep at any point) and I have rapid flashing of white light a few times. It is not daily, but maybe 10 times in the last 2 weeks. It would be like if you are in a pitch dark room and the lights flash on and off a few times. I have no idea what the heck that is about, and nothing else going on.

[picksthemusic]

Well this is timely - I just had strabismus surgery on my left eye to correct my lazy eye last month. I went from a 50 prism to an 8, and it will only get better. Now I can get a new glasses prescription and not have Coke bottle lenses! AND I get to eventually wear contacts again if I want!! I'm so stoked for my upcoming optometry appointment!

They also told me that retinal detachment is common in folks with hypermobility-EDS (which I have) so that's another thing to watch out for...

So glad your H is better!

[6fsn]

Near sightedness and family history put you at higher risk for detachment. I am -10 and my dad and sister have had retinal detachments.

In fact my dad went to the Ed because he was feeling “off”. They were suspecting heart or stroke. My sister (also an optometrist) walked into exam area and immediately told them to check eyes.

[litskispeciality]

I'm glad your husband is better. Hoping everything continues to heal.

I went to the eye doc in the winter last year and plan to go more frequently (once a year if insurance will cover) as I have floaters, changing vison due to age and now an eye freckle which I didn't even know was a thing. Shouldn't be so expensive, but worth catching any issues as early as possible.

Possible TW

Also promoting getting your eyes checked even if you don't wear glasses. All of my brothers health stuff was finally diagnosed when he had a blurry vision attack and called 911. Thankfully he was alert as he lives alone and I can't even imagine what would have happened. Anyway he's never had to wear glasses until now (to correct a different issue after surgery), but I suspect an eye exam *might* have encouraged him to see if he could get a scan that hopefully would have caught a brain tumor. He kept getting misdiagnosed with neck pain as his eyes were still good. Better to be checked than in an emergency.

[noodleoo]

litskispeciality , wait, was the blurry vision a symptom of a brain tumor? H has had an instance of blurry vision this week. It was like all of a sudden he said "I can't see" but it resolved within a few mins. I assumed it was eye strain, but should I have him get checked out?

[mrspez07]

Thanks for sharing. It's easy to dismiss eye stuff as strain or fatigue.

I had my eye exam this month and am due for a new prescription in both my distance and near prescriptions. I have so many different glasses!

Some of my symptoms and the resulting "reader" prescription she noted were because I was working my eyes too hard during needlework that they weren't recovering when I went to drive, etc.
it made me realize the eye is one of the only muscles you don't seem to be able to "challenge" or "work out" to keep it healthy/stronger, it actually needs support (glasses/contacts) and rest to work properly and you can't exercise it back to a better condition.

[litskispeciality]

noodleoo, your H is hopefully, probably ok if it was quick and hasn't returned. I don't think it's a bad idea to get an eye exam soon just to make sure everything's ok.

I'm not sure if my brother's blurry vision was a symptom of the brain tumor, or it also turns out he has a form of hydrophelus (sp) that's required a shunt in his brain or just a complete fluke. He actually didn't even tell me he was in the hospital for a few days (not to worry me), but after a few scans they found several concerning things they couldn't completely diagnose until surgery. My brother is hopefully a very rare one-off case as the surgeon even said it was one of the hardest surgeries he's ever done. I've just always heard that eye exams can possibly find issues inside of certain parts your head, possibly some diabetes related stuff and some other things you wouldn't necessarily think of when you get an eye exam. I hold out hope someone would have seen something in my brother's eyes that might explain his issues sooner, but it might not have effected that part of his brain? I just think my brother was a "I don't need glasses so I'm not wasting the money on eye exams" people, which my DH does too.

I started having issues with my right eye not focusing properly off and on right around the time of my brother's first hospital stay so I went and got my eyes checked as I was overdue anyway. They did a "quick" apt to check that everything was ok, then scheduled the regular annual eye exam way out. They think it was just having older, not strong enough glasses for my over 40 eyes, but did say they didn't have any concerns of anything pushing on my optic nerve (?) based on family history. I think they wouldn't be able to diagnose a tumor or anything of that nature, but would probably encourage me to get checked out by "x" doctor.

A guy I used to work with found a pretty nasty tumor in his jaw through a routine dental exam. Again probably a huge one-off, but good reminders to me to keep up with that stuff for whole body care.

[noodleoo]

litskispeciality, I see, thanks for sharing.

Yes, I 100% agree on the eye exams. I mentioned upthread, but my dad has lost vision due to undiagnosed glaucoma that likely would have been caught earlier if he was having eye exams. But he never needed glasses except readers, so he never went to an optometrist. Looking back at records, my mom said he had an exam like 5 years ago and they mentioned his eye pressure was high and he should follow up on it but he never did because he didn't really understand the risk.

I wear glasses, so I have my eye pressures measured every year. And my eye dr has definitely said they can see symptoms other issues like high blood pressure and diabetes.

[litskispeciality]

Sorry noodleoo , I missed your original post. Ugh about your dad. I hope they're able do as much as they can to save his eyes. Also I don't think I've ever had a doc explain eye pressure just "looks good", but they should really do a better job of stressing any concerns because people will put off exams even just for the OOP (for me at least) cost of the exam, glasses etc.

My FIL just had caterac surgery in both eyes (separate surgeries) this year. Long story short they never had the insurance or money to cover it, but DH is really glad his dad got it done. FIL was the only driver in the family and DH remembers his dad driving even slower than posted speed limits. Thinking back he thinks its because his dad couldn't see very well, which was very scary with a wife and several kids in the car.

My dad has had really bad eyes for a long time and was seeing a specialist, but never told my brother and I anything. My dad eventually found a mobile eye service and I need to find out if he'll need that at Memory Care or if the facility covers that? Ugh eyes are so much!

[livinitup]

shauni27 (Nothing weird about eye care, promise)

Please get an ophthalmology appointment or find an eye glasses/ prescription place and ask for a slit test.

The eye doctors were all so kind and so very professional. I’m sure your white flashes will be nothing remarkable but why not check?

You can certainly decline any treatment plan that freaks you out. But you may have more options for simple treatments the sooner you go in.

[mrsukyankee]

As someone whose grandmother lost vision in both of her eyes due to degenerate eye disorder (or something like that), I'm very vigilant. I get checked every 1 to 2 years for everything and have a fabulous ophthalmologist who explains everything. We need to get my H in soon as he's seeing more and more floaters plus has very bad astigmatism too.

[shauni27]

Oct 16, 2024 19:41:54 GMT -5 livinitup said:

shauni27 (Nothing weird about eye care, promise)

Please get an ophthalmology appointment or find an eye glasses/ prescription place and ask for a slit test.

The eye doctors were all so kind and so very professional. I’m sure your white flashes will be nothing remarkable but why not check?

You can certainly decline any treatment plan that freaks you out. But you may have more options for simple treatments the sooner you go in.

I called to see if they could get me in sooner, but they cannot; I am scheduled for December and have been put on a cancellation list. I do go annually for my eye appointments because I wear contacts and have cataracts, so I am already pretty confident that it is nothing major.

[mofongo]

I go yearly, eye health is important too. I also have a cataract in my right eye, I've had it for a while and am considering having it removed soon-ish. Ugh

[mommyatty]

My dad while in his twenties was having all kinds of weird health issues: lack of balance, dragging one foot, terrible double vision. He had seen a ton of specialists who basically said he was faking it to try to get disability benefits. He finally saw an ophthalmologist for the double vision who took one look at him, asked him to walk across the room, asked how long he’d been dragging his foot, and diagnosed him correctly with multiple sclerosis. He was the department head at the medical center/hospital where my dad had been going, and some people lost their privileges over the lack of care. This was in the early 1970s. But in my family, we see an ophthalmologist religiously. Your eyes are the clues to lots of other health issues, kind of like your dental health is.

[gretchenindisguise]

@@@@

Also get your kids checked and pay the extra $70 at least once for the fancy retina checks they can do at the optometrist.

We did it for 9yo two years ago and expected just to get baseline data. Nope. Kid has something seriously wrong with his eyes and it sparked a 9 month eye care extravaganza that included top retinal specialists in the us and genetic testing. We unfortunately still don't know what caused the damage, but now we have appointments every six months to monitor it and hope it doesn't get worse. His vision decreased this year so our appointment at the end of the month will be interesting.

We would have never known if we hadn't paid for that one extra test. (actually I think even a regular eye exam where they use the light to look through your eye would have shown something, but not to the degree the photos showed).