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What could cause eye floaters to occur in both eyes (bilaterally) at the same time?
Hello. I am a 33 year old male who, in June of 2013, developed floaters/vitreous opacities in both eyes at the same time (within the same week). I am -5.50 OS, and -6.00 OD, with some astigmatism. I have been dealing with the development of IBS-C since the end of 2012, and have recently developed painless intermittent muscle twitches in my limbs.
My first visit to to an ophthalmologist in 2013 came away with the diagnoses of a PVDs (for both eyes) and Fuch's Dystrophy. Several months afterwards, the second Ophthalmologist I visited said I was going through PVDs as well, but noted nothing about Fuch's Dystrophy. These diagnoses were unsatisfying to my sensibilities, as it would seem that the odds of developing bilateral PVDs simultaneously, in what are essentially separate ocular systems (right and left eye), without some common condition is very very unlikely (as an example, it's like having both of the headlights on your car start flickering at the same time just by pure random chance; its more likely something is going on with your electrical system than both bulbs exhibiting the defect simultaneously). I understand that high myopes are more prone to developing floaters and PVDs at an earlier age, but still, for a situation that is heavily dependent on eye geometry it doesn't make sense to me that this would happen at virtually the same time.
Anyway, about a year after the initial two consultations, I visited a retinal specialist. That person noted microcystoids in the peripheral retina, but saw no indication of any PVD in either of the eyes. (No mention of Fuch's Dystrophy). Finally, I saw another ophthalmologist a year after that, who could finally see my floaters, but once again saw no indication of PVD or Fuch's, but corroborated the peripheral retinal degeneration/microcystoids previously established with the retinal specialist.
FYI, I've consulted GPs, Gastroenterologists, Rheumatologists, Neurologists, and Endocrinologists but to no avail. With all this in mind, what conditions could have caused these bilateral floaters? I am still bothered by them 3 years on, and I still cannot perform at my work (a lot of reading and computer use) the same way I could previously. Are there any recommendations as to how I should proceed?
My first visit to to an ophthalmologist in 2013 came away with the diagnoses of a PVDs (for both eyes) and Fuch's Dystrophy. Several months afterwards, the second Ophthalmologist I visited said I was going through PVDs as well, but noted nothing about Fuch's Dystrophy. These diagnoses were unsatisfying to my sensibilities, as it would seem that the odds of developing bilateral PVDs simultaneously, in what are essentially separate ocular systems (right and left eye), without some common condition is very very unlikely (as an example, it's like having both of the headlights on your car start flickering at the same time just by pure random chance; its more likely something is going on with your electrical system than both bulbs exhibiting the defect simultaneously). I understand that high myopes are more prone to developing floaters and PVDs at an earlier age, but still, for a situation that is heavily dependent on eye geometry it doesn't make sense to me that this would happen at virtually the same time.
Anyway, about a year after the initial two consultations, I visited a retinal specialist. That person noted microcystoids in the peripheral retina, but saw no indication of any PVD in either of the eyes. (No mention of Fuch's Dystrophy). Finally, I saw another ophthalmologist a year after that, who could finally see my floaters, but once again saw no indication of PVD or Fuch's, but corroborated the peripheral retinal degeneration/microcystoids previously established with the retinal specialist.
FYI, I've consulted GPs, Gastroenterologists, Rheumatologists, Neurologists, and Endocrinologists but to no avail. With all this in mind, what conditions could have caused these bilateral floaters? I am still bothered by them 3 years on, and I still cannot perform at my work (a lot of reading and computer use) the same way I could previously. Are there any recommendations as to how I should proceed?
No there are no studies on how far apart PVDs occur. They can occur at the same time if due to a fall or injury. Occuring spontaneously they rarely are going to happen at exactly the same time (again unless due to trauma). I tell people when they have a PVD in one eye they will have it in the other eye. Could be today, next week, next year or several years from now.
Thanks for your reply.
What specifically do you mean by a short period of time? I've read that it is not unusual for a PVD to occur in an opposing eye several months to a few years after initially occurring in the original eye. I was talking about my eye floaters occurring in both eyes within a just few days of each other. Also, I found another thread on this very forum where Dr. Oyakawa said, that it's "very very uncommon [for PVDs] to occur in both eyes at the same time." (http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Eye-Care/Posterior-Vitreous-Detachment-in-both-eyes-at-the-same-time/show/747286). The merckmanual.com says PVDs are suggested by an "Increase in UNILATERAL floaters over 1 wk - 3 mo in patients with average age of 50-75 yr". (https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/eye-disorders/symptoms-of-ophthalmologic-disorders/floaters#v953028). How often then would his happen simultaneously and bilaterally in someone who is 33, with high myopia (less than or equal to -6.00) in only one eye without some other factor involved?
Perhaps I don't understand something, so can you help clarify my disconnect?
If indeed, you literally do mean that PVDs frequently (and by that would you mean 1 in 10 patients, 1 in 100 patients, etc.?) happen in both eyes within a few days of each other without some common underlying cause (diseases of old age, etc.), can you please point me to a citation/white paper where this has been statistically presented/verified?
What specifically do you mean by a short period of time? I've read that it is not unusual for a PVD to occur in an opposing eye several months to a few years after initially occurring in the original eye. I was talking about my eye floaters occurring in both eyes within a just few days of each other. Also, I found another thread on this very forum where Dr. Oyakawa said, that it's "very very uncommon [for PVDs] to occur in both eyes at the same time." (http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Eye-Care/Posterior-Vitreous-Detachment-in-both-eyes-at-the-same-time/show/747286). The merckmanual.com says PVDs are suggested by an "Increase in UNILATERAL floaters over 1 wk - 3 mo in patients with average age of 50-75 yr". (https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/eye-disorders/symptoms-of-ophthalmologic-disorders/floaters#v953028). How often then would his happen simultaneously and bilaterally in someone who is 33, with high myopia (less than or equal to -6.00) in only one eye without some other factor involved?
Perhaps I don't understand something, so can you help clarify my disconnect?
If indeed, you literally do mean that PVDs frequently (and by that would you mean 1 in 10 patients, 1 in 100 patients, etc.?) happen in both eyes within a few days of each other without some common underlying cause (diseases of old age, etc.), can you please point me to a citation/white paper where this has been statistically presented/verified?
Floaters increase over time. It's not rare to have onset of floaters in both eyes within a short period of time especially in a high myope. See the ophthalmologist you have the most confidence in yearly and if any new changes develop. PVDs can be hard to see sometimes. It's more likely you do have PVDs than that you don't.
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