Operculated hole and lattice with no breaks

[sigit_a]

Three weeks ago I had sudden onset of floaters in both of my eyes. I've had a few floaters in my life, but transparent ones. Now I have darker ones and a lot more shapes - dots, cobwebs, strings etc. They run around faster too, with just a few movement of my eyeballs. I can say there are like perhaps 20 - 30 in each of the eye.

I went to an eye doctor two weeks ago and I received dilated pupil examination. The doctor said that my left eye has operculated hole, no SFR. The right eye has lattice degeneration, no breaks.

When I asked the doctor what was causing the sudden onset of floaters, the doctor said he was not really sure, it might have been caused by the hole if it's new. But I have worse floaters in my right eye, the one with no breaks or holes.

A few days ago I saw one small flash, appearing and fading slowly, in the central vision of my right eye. It's not repeating so much, but I am worried, since the last doctor I went said that I need to be aware of retinal detachment symptoms (flashes, hundreds of floaters, shadows).

To add to the story, in the past few months, I've had offset images (lightly, not severe, particularly at nights), to finally be diagnosed as astigmatism - however, there were several different diagnosis before one doctor concluded it as astigmatism. I went to 3 visits with 2 different doctors. The first doctor gave me eye vitamins. The second doctor said I had some swelling inside my eyeball (he didn't explain which part), and gave me anti-inflammatory medication/eyedrops. The third visit gave me another anti-inflammatory eyedrop (Flumetholon) and methycobal.

My questions:

- What could be possibly causing this sudden onset of floaters? I am not diagnosed with PVD (or not yet).
- When the doctor said, "flashes", what amount and what kind of flashes should be worried? What about one flash that appears occasionally?
- Could certain medication, drug or eye steroid cause floaters?

I have about 5.50 diopters with astigmatism in both eyes.

[sigit_a]

I have had my left eye lasered to protect the hole yesterday. Apparently, the doctor also discovered a white without pressure area near the hole and lasered around them as well... I will be checking 5 weeks later.

Thank you for your kind advices :)

[lacus]

Hello AnnaE,

Would like to know bout the eye exercise that you recommended doing against cloudy sky or blank computer screen. How would it help our eyes.

As for my case, I'm still surveying which doctor to go for dilated retina screening.

TQ
lacus

[sigit_a]

Update from last visit to a retinal specialist: operculated hole is suggested to be treated by laser photocoagulation, but I have not decided as yet - since last retinal specialist I went before this one did not suggest it. This doctor advises me to get a third opinion. Is this necessary?

On another note, will laser photocoagulation increase floaters?

[AnnaE]

I meant to say daytime sky. I do it right before sundown. My findings have always been validated. Of course, I hope you have no findingsand again I hope you are fine.

If you ever have a problem, remember that detachments need to be discovered in the first 2 weeks, for the best surgical results.

Take care of yourself, and taking light medication for anxiety, on advice of an MD, should not hurt you.

[sigit_a]

Thank you AnnaE.

That's what I've been worrying for the last three weeks. I hope I'm fine...

[AnnaE]

Be vigilant about BOTH eyes.

I hope you are fine. Cup your hand over them alternately, and look sharply in four directions. Do this against a cloudly sky or a blank computer screen..

Anna

[AnnaE]

Flashes alone can be a sign of an oncoming detachment. In my case, they were.

[sigit_a]

Many thanks berrywoo! I did a search on RD in this forum. Some are helpful - I am scheduling a visit next Tuesday.

Thanks. :)

[berrywoo]

PVD is more common w/ age. However, it can occur at an earlier age, such as in those w/ high myopia such as yourself.

Holes don't always need treatment as many pose no threat. There are risks to laser photocoagulation. FYI: Search the forums much on RDs has been discussed!!!!

Since, you just came home from overseas, I recommend you find a vitreo-retinal specialist nearby and make an appointment within the next few weeks just to be on the safe side. Also, it helps to go ahead and establish a relationship w/the doctor so he/she will be familiar w/ your case. It will also help ease your mind and the doctor should be able to answer any questions you have.

[sigit_a]

Many thanks dukey.

I assume it's normal for high-level myopia like me (-5.50) to have PVD earlier in my life (I'm 23).

The doctor said the hole is one that is not active and it doesn't yet need treatment (e.g. surgery/laser), as it's more risk than benefit. Can this be true?

Thanks again.

[dukey]

Also your flash description is not typical of one that occurs prior to an RD.

[dukey]

This is almost definitely a PVD and/or vitreous syneresis. All kind of strange visual things can start happening after this starts. I would be concerned about this "hole" though. For a doc to say he doesn't know is not good enough. If he doesn't know, find someone who does or who can at least give you an explanation of why he doesn't. Some things are unexplainable, yes, but your symptoms are very common and have really a limited number of underlying causes.  

[sigit_a]

I was overseas when I had my last check, so the doctor was overseas. Now I'm at home. The doctor recommended two months after.

[AnnaE]

Did the doctor give you a follow up appointment?

[sigit_a]

Sandy and berrywoo,

Thank you. I've had my last check to the opthalmologist two weeks ago. What time would be best for a follow up? So far the condition has been constant (as with floaters), and occasional flash.

Is it possible to get PVD in my age? I'm 23.

Many thanks!

[berrywoo]

Make sure you are seeing a retinal specialist. Also, do a search of the forum archives, much has been posted on the topic of RDs.
Drugs/medicines do NOT cause floaters. If your symptoms worsen see a doctor ASAP. In many cases flashes will stop on their own within a week or two, if not consult your doctor. As for the floaters they may settle out of your line of vision w/ time, and/or you'll learn to ignore them.

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear sigit_a,

A sudden increase in the number of floaters is most commonly caused by a posterior vitreous detachment.  I would speak with your eyeMD to determine the cause.  Usually, one is concerned about flashes of light that occur especially with the eyes closed.  I would definitely recommend that you get your eyes rechecked to determine that there is no change in your retina.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California

[sigit_a]

I forgot my age - I am 23 years old male.