detached retina
eye doctor
eye problem
floaters
floaters in the eye
hole in retina
laser surgery
opthalmologist
retina detachment
retinal surgery
Hole in my Retina--Very scary!
By PearlGrace
@PearlGrace (3171)
United States
June 13, 2008 7:57pm CST
Two days ago, I noticed an increased number of floaters in my right eye. Also, I felt like I was looking through a thin veil with that eye or that my glasses were smudged and wouldn't come clean.
Anyway, the next morning, my vision was slightly worse so I called the eye doctor and got right in for an exam. He said I might have a partial retinal detachment and needed to see a retinal surgeon right away. I was scheduled to see the surgeon at 8:15 a.m. the next day (which was today).
The surgeon said I'd not had a retinal detachment but did have a hole in my retina that needed to be repaired. He said that I am at high risk for more tears and even a detachment because of my high myopia (near sightedness). He said he would need to repair the hole with a laser right away.
Although I have sworn I'd never let a laser near my eyes, I had to go through with it. Boy, was it scary! My question is, have you ever heard of getting a hole in your retina? Have you ever had a hole in your retina or a detached retina? Please share your stories. Thanks.
PearlGrace
1 person likes this
6 responses
@irishmist (3814)
• United States
17 Jun 08
Wow I really feel for you, I can imagine how scary it was for you, now it makes me wonder about my eyes. I get rainbows in front of my eyes, then the other sides of my eyes turn black and it seems like tunnel vision. Sometimes it last for 1/2 hour or better and I never know when it will happen. They eye Doctor told me it was nothing to worry about, now I have to wonder..
1 person likes this
Thanks@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
17 Jun 08
Jeesh, irishmist. Yes, it was quite scary. Plus, my vision in that eye is still a little cloudy. I am hoping it will clear up in a week or two.
Your occasional eye difficulty sounds concerning also. Especially the "black" part on the sides of your eye. Just wondering is the eye doctor that said, "don't worry about it" an opthalmologist?
Take care, irishmist. Thanks for your response and support.
PearlGrace
@CANDREWS25 (2)
• United States
27 Jul 09
same here i have a hole in my retina due to extreme mypia i was suppose to go to the retina speacialist today but i could not go beacuse i had work they said its an emergency but i gotta make money! and i cant just call out like that so i made an appointment for tomarrow man i was just putting it off like it aint a promblem and i seen a video of laser eye surgery and they do cut i was considering it but not no more i am scared now geez! i am 19 with a 5month year old i dont want to lose my sight now i havent seen 20 years yet!!! i want to see my son grow up i have extremely bad eye sight!!
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
28 Jul 09
I understand your job is important, but please don't forget that, in order to do your job you have to have your eyes. Hope you go to the doctor first thing tomorrow and get your retinal tear taken care of. The good news is that it can be fixed. Good luck.
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
14 Jun 08
Hello, lilaclady.
The retinal surgeon said that I am in a high risk group for retinal holes and detachments because of my high degree of myopia (nearsightedness). In essence, my cornea is shaped like a football rather than a round ball, which stretches the edges of the cornea. This stress could cause it to tear or detach. Also, the surgeon said that as we age, these types of problems occur more.
That is the best way I can explain it, but I am no doctor. So, my nearsightedness, the high degree of it, and my age all combined to cause the tear or hole. And it just "happened" the day before yesterday.
I could tell right away that something was different in that eye. But, there was no pain at all. I should have called the eye dr. that day but I did wait 24 hours. When it was the same the next day, I called right away. Hope my experience will encourage others to call the moment they notice it, because time is of the essence in such a case. Take care, lilaclady.
PearlGrace
1 person likes this
@JanetBRudman (158)
• United States
14 Jun 08
I've had a hole in my retina for 3 years. My eye doctor is checking it every 3 months. I was told it can be lasered but only if it detaches. Symptoms are what you described. The lightening flashes are scary, the floaters annoying. The reason for a tear or hole is straining the eyes looking at a computer screen all day. I am also near-sighted. But now I'm developing cataracts and I have to be checked every 3 months for borderline glaucoma. If I go blind, throw me in a box and bury me. Good luck with the healing.
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
14 Jun 08
Hi, JanetBRudman.
Can't believe you've been dealing with the symptoms from a hole in the retina for so long! I went to a retinal specialist who's conducted research and published several papers about retinas and he said that to leave the tear there means that more vitreous (the liquid in the eye) could escape and cause increasing damage to the blood vessels in my eye.
In fact, he says that the large floater I have now is blood that leaked into the eye after the fluid damaged a blood vessel. He said that "we need to stop the flow of that liquid into the eye as quickly as possible" (not his exact words).
Interestingly, I've done some research over the last day and not come across anything that says anything about looking at a computer screen as a possible cause or irritant to such a condition. I am curious,where did that info come from? Is there any research out there to support that view? Just wondering.
Hope you are able to retain your eyesight and stay healthy. Please take care.
PearlGrace
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
14 Jun 08
Thanks, sunnflr for your thoughtfulness. That is interesting that your father-in-law did not have to have anything done. That was a streak of luck for him.
I am definitely hoping my regular vision will return without the cloudiness and floaters in a week or so. Take care and thanks again.
PearlGrace
1 person likes this
@CANDREWS25 (2)
• United States
27 Jul 09
o wow to bad the optomerist told me i have a hole in my retina b/c of high myopia
!!!!
i have to go to a retina speacilist and my appointment is tomarrow i am 19 with a 5month son and i work a computer so i need my vision i wasnt going to go but now i am scared don't worry your not alone!!!!
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
28 Jul 09
Hello. That actually happened several months ago, also due to my high myopia. I went to the eye doctor the very next day, who sent me to a retinal specialist who did the laser on the hole to close it. It was uncomfortable to sit that still but it didn't last long and I was good to go. Hang in there and please go to the doctor asap. Take care.
