PVD precautions to prevent Retinal Detachment

[AlexEB]

Hi Doctors,
   First let me say thank you for the wonderful advice you are giving on here.  I am a 22 year old male pre-medical student, who was studying for my MCAT 5 days ago when I noticed onset of floaters and flashing lights in peripheral vision.  I went to the ER within the hour for possible retinal detachment, confirmed negative.  I followed up with a retinal specialist one day later, who performed a pupil dilation and looked at my retinas under high light.  He said to be 100% honest, he is not seeing anything that could explain my symptoms.  However, halfway through the exam, I did hear him say "PVD" to the other doctor, and when I asked about this, he said it refers to the floaters.

I understand what a PVD is and the risk it brings for a retinal detachment.  However, my question is, if I do have bilateral PVD at 22 years old, can I still read, or should this be avoided until the vitreous detaches completely?  Studying for my MCAT requires intense reading, and I do not want to do anything that would put my health at risk.  Thanks a lot.

[berrywoo]

Yes, you are looking for more flashes/floaters than you are currently experiencing. Also, if there is a shadow/curtain like effect in your vision where part of the periphery seems to be black/gray or in anyway obscured, then go see a retinal specialist immediately.

Reading/studying, watching tv, computer work, will not harm your eyes at all. So good luck w/the MCATs.
Avoid vigorous activities as long as you are experiencing symptoms, that means no running, weightlifting or other sports, until the flashes subside.

[AlexEB]

Ok thank you very much, will do.  However, the flashing lights and floaters have not gone away.  As I type this message, I still have both (6 days of symptoms so far).  I just visited a different opthamologist today for a 2nd opinion with pupil dilation, he said PVD as well with no retinal tearing.

So then, am I looking for an even greater increase in floaters/flashing than I have now, that would signal a RD?  (At any given moment, i have about 3-4 floaters and flashing lights in peripheral vision right now).  

[Sandra M Brown, MD]

It sounds like you are having an evolving PVD (posterior vitreous detachment).  One important consideration, vis a vis your risk of retinal detachment, is whether you are nearsighted and how much.  In any event, studying for MCATs won't change your situation.  But if the flashing lights return and are accompanied by many black floaters, call the ophthalmologist's office pronto.  Do NOT go back to the emergency room, they can do nothing for you and you will be wasting time and money.

[AlexEB]

My studying usually involves being hunched over a desk for 10 hours straight.  Besides the physical action of scanning text with one's eyes, is it bad to be constantly hunched over like this with a PVD?