Odd vision quirk in left eye...

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Paul D - 21 Aug 2005 14:12 GMT

Hello, I thought this might be a good place to get some advice since
I've just moved to a foreign country and don't know any
ophthalmologists here.

Often when I wake up in the morning, if I move around my eyes at first,
there's a bit of distortion in my left eye, sort of a blob like the
kind you can get by poking your eye (not that I do that). This blob is
always in the opposite direction I'm looking. Once I've been up for a
few minutes, it goes away.

I occasionally also experience somethin glike that in the center of my
vision, usually if I've suddenly gotten up or lain down. Again, it will
go away after a few minutes.

This only began a few weeks ago. My guess is it's some kind of fluid or
tension putting pressure on the eye, but I'd like some advice and
suggestions. Thanks!

Paul

Reply to this Message

William Stacy - 21 Aug 2005 16:02 GMT

It sounds like a vitreous floater, especially if you meant to say "This
blob always MOVES in the opposite direction that I MOVE MY EYES".
Common, but you should have it checked in an eye exam.

w.stacy, o.d.

> Hello, I thought this might be a good place to get some advice since
> I've just moved to a foreign country and don't know any ophthalmologists
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Paul

Reply to this Message

Mike Tyner - 21 Aug 2005 19:44 GMT

> Often when I wake up in the morning, if I move around my eyes at first,
> there's a bit of distortion in my left eye, sort of a blob like the kind
> you can get by poking your eye (not that I do that). This blob is always
> in the opposite direction I'm looking. Once I've been up for a few
> minutes, it goes away.

It helps to give your age.

Most of these are variations in pressure where the vitreous jelly meets the
retina. Most episodes are harmless, but about 1 out of 10 means serious
trouble.

The vitreous normally tugs, or pulls loose, as you get older. It "organizes"
meaning solid and liquid elements separate out. The solid elements are
fibrous and attached lightly to the retina, and they shrink and pull over a
lifetime.

When the vitreous tugs, or tears away from the retina, or when a loose sheet
slaps against your nerve fiber layer, there are "glowing ball"
hallucinations like you get by poking your eye. Standing up and lying down
cause major changes in blood pressure and the liquid dynamics inside your
eye.

Normally it isn't serious but it's a reason to get a dilated fundus exam.

When spots and flashes are serious, it's because there's weak retina or a
pre-existing tear. The neurosensory retina separates and peels off its bed
of pigment epithelium, leaving your photoreceptors dangling in a stagnant
bath of extracellular fluid and liquified vitreous.

Since you can tell the doctor precisely where to look, and since (I'm
guessing) you've not had a dilated exam in many years, it's advisable to get
a checkup.

-MT

Reply to this Message

Paul Davidson - 22 Aug 2005 04:31 GMT

>> Often when I wake up in the morning, if I move around my eyes at first,
>> there's a bit of distortion in my left eye, sort of a blob like the
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> -MT

Thanks for the information. I should add that I'm 27, pretty young still.

Paul

Reply to this Message

kobus v - 26 Aug 2005 10:22 GMT

You're 27? I'm only 17 and I have 4 floaters already, which I will be stuck
with for the rest of my life, no cure for it, and the floaters will get worse
and more numerous with advancing age.

That's not my only eye problem, I also have red eyes, crusting on the eyelids
after waking, see flashes after using the computer for more than 3 hours,
twitches in right eye only for the past month, i see afterimages on almost
everything, and i have a fuzzy vision at night. plus, i can't see things at
night that i used to see about 3 months ago. I also have a stye in my left
eye. And also when I watch tv or look at the computer and close my eyelids by
a few millimetres (ie.eyes not wide open), the light on the tv seems to
refract off the tv screen and i can see it shine down. My eyes are ruined.
And I want to be a pilot like nothing else in this world. But my eyes are
ruined. Maybe I'll just end my worthless life.

Ophthalmologists are of no help, I have another appointment with my
ophthalmologist next tuesday for another eye exam.

>>> Often when I wake up in the morning, if I move around my eyes at first,
>>> there's a bit of distortion in my left eye, sort of a blob like the
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
>Paul

Reply to this Message

Rate this thread: