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Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) from punch at 22?

Hi, I'm a 22 year old guy and about 6 days ago I got into a fight at a club, nothing had happened, we were just facing each other and talking big (we were drunk) but no punches or anything, so I got kicked out of the club and when the bouncer was taking me out of the club (leading me from behind) someone sucker punched me from my left. At first I thought It had been the bouncer cause I was causing trouble or something. afterwards they told me it had been another guy, friends with the guy I was arguing with. Anyways, that's not important.

The Important thing is that the punch, that came from my left hit me in my left eye and my nose. It hit my eye from behind kind of, or from the side, rather. Imagine a guy facing my left profile hits me with his right hand. That's exactly how the punch was. I think it hit my eye quite hard cause I remember feeling a little numb after it, as eyes are really weak spots. The eye looked quite red. I think it was a bit from blood in the eye and the trauma but I've seen people's eyes look a lot redder from punches so I didn't think anything of it and when I got back home I researched a bit and read that in those cases blood normally reabsorbes itself within a few days and there's no problems so I was pretty calm. Of course it hurt a bit but nothing crazy. Now after 5-6 days it barely hurts and it's not looking red at all anymore (virtually) so it's gotten better pretty fast.

The thing is that about two nights ago I started noticing white flashes on my side vision. They were unpredictable and wouldn't last for more than a second and I researched a bit and found out that they could be a sign of a retinal detachment which can be a really serious thing and that I should get a proper and thorough eye examination (dilated, retina...) So I didn't wait and today I went to a private ophtalmologist and told him about it and my symptoms and what I wanted. First they measured my vision, my eye pressure and then dilated my left eye's pupil with some drops. About 20 minutes later he called me in and started looking at both my eyes ( to compare) with various utensils and machines first he checked if I had double vision, which I didn't... then looked inside my eyes with a rotating machine with a light, then at my retina placing a lens into my eye ( after pouring some anestesia drops into the eye). He said something about the lens and 45 degrees that I can't exactly remember.

Bottom line I think the examination was pretty exhaustive and thorough and I was satisfied with it. The thing is that he told me that my retina was fine, no tears or holes in it but he told me literally (I'm in denmark at the moment so his english wasn't really good) " Your vitreous gel has collapsed a bit, this happens to people normally at 50 or older"
I was devastated, as I inmediately knew he was referring to a PVD (I think, at least). He told me that I shouldn't worry and that the flashes should go away in 1 or 2 months. He also said that he didn't expect to see me again ( obviously implying that everything was perfect and that there was nothing to worry about), and said that I should come back only if I notice changes in my vision, like floaters (which luckily I haven't had and hope to never have), or increased flashes or like a curtain. But that it is very unlikely, he said, as everything retina-related was looking fine. He also said that it's very unlikely that I develop any retinal tears or anything as these normally happen at the time of the trauma ( so at the time of the punch) and if they weren't already there they're more than likely not happening.

The thing is even though he said not to worry I feel really miserable now, PVD in my left eye at 22 when the normal age is 50 or 60? I don't know... Also extremely bad luck, as I don't normally get into fights, cause for boxers or people that fight a lot I can understand but... I am devastated really.

Could having PVD in my left eye at such a young age bring added consequences in the future? or it doesn't matter? Does it make a difference having it in my 20's as opposed to having it in my 40's or 50's? I'm looking for some advice and some information to feel a bit relieved, cause now I feel like ****.

Thanks a lot in advance and sorry for the long text.



5 Responses
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177275 tn?1511755244
Usually the flashes do subside and stop, especially in the young which have a firmer, stronger vitreous.  There are posts here from people that continued to have flashes for years after an injury but that is the exception rather than the rule.
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Avatar universal
Hey doctor, I have been seen by many well educated retina specialists and they have said that I have nothing to worry about unless my symptoms get worse. I am worried that they will be permanent and/or I will get more floaters or get a retina detachment. Do you think that my flashes will subside in a few weeks/months?
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177275 tn?1511755244
You might want to leave him a note on his home page also    Be sure you've seen an ophthalmologist as this type of problem Is often associated with serious eye injuries.

JCH MD
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Avatar universal
How are your flashes doing? Have they subsided yet? I am unfortunately 14 years old and the same kinda situation happened to me. Please reply back,
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177275 tn?1511755244
The prevalence of PVD is roughly 10% per decade of life so many young people have some degree of PVD. It is much more common in myopes.  So you don't need to be devastated and the changes of it causing a problem are low. I started having floaters and PVD at about age 10. I'm myopic but have 20/20 vision.

If you have a sudden increase in floaters, sudden development of flashes of light or loss of peripheral vision you need to see an ophthalmologist. You need an annual exam by an ophthalmologist and always remind them of you history of trauma.

An moderate your alcohol use and where you spend your time.

JCH MD

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177275 tn?1511755244
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