Strange black spot in vision

[HCislo]

I suddenly (yesterday evening) noticed that with my left eye, I see a thin, light-colored, semi-circular stretch of line -- not particularly long -- that has a smaller dark patch behind it, as if forming the 'background' for it. It doesn't seem to be a floater -- it doesn't float. And here's the strange part: it is visible only as I shift fixation from one spot to another. In other words, it does not obscure my vision. It only appears briefly as I change fixation and then disappears. Always in precisely the same location in my visual field. More visible on a white or bright background. The darker part seems to be located where an obsessive observer would notice a dark spot even in a normal eye upon rapidly shifting his gaze :)

Pertinent history: Longtime  'painless migraine'-type scintillating scotoma, with some spots remaining for a day to a couple of months before receding. Standard cataract operation 16 months ago, no complications, excellent vision post-procedure. Lifetime nearsightedness, approximately 4.5 diopters.

Shall I panic and run to the ER on a Sunday?

Thanks.

[JohnHaganMD]

For those that follow this posting please let us know what you found upon visiting the surgeon
JCH MD

[HCislo]

Fine, then. Thanks very much for the advice. I just hope that if it's the IOL, it'll be easily fixable. I haven't seen this clearly and well since I was a boy. I've become a real advocate for the procedure.

Thanks again.

[JohnHaganMD]

I don't think you need to go to the ER unless something changes or gets worse but I would contact your eye surgeon's office tomorrow and discuss with them and get in to see the surgeon as soon as possible.

I cannot give you any definite suggestion of what this might be. Sometimes it is the membrane that holds the IOL in place getting filmy

JCHMD