changes in vision

[chizzle]

I am a 20 y/o female in relatively good health - I only have an issue w/ hypothyroidism.  For probably the past year I have been noticing changes in my vision. It's a little bit hard to explain but here it goes. I have the sensation that I do not comprehend what I see with my right eye. I feel like whatever I am looking at I am only viewing with my left eye. If I cover my left eye & only look through my right eye, everything appears very "pixelated." It's not necessary blurry, or double vision, its just not right. In addition to this, after a few second of only looking through my right eye, everything starts to become "wavy." Also, I see floaters almost all day long. It is a rare moment if I don't have floaters in my eyes.  Last year, when this all started, I went to an optometrist & had an evaluation and he proceeding to tell me nothing was wrong with my eyes, but that I had a very slight astigmatism. He went on the say that it was so slight that he didn't really feel I needed a prescription but that he would give me one anyways since my symptoms were so persistent.

I had been wearing my glasses religiously for about 8 months, when I just felt like they weren't really helping anymore. It was about the same time that I developed a new symptom.  At very random times, I see a flashing light. It's always right in the center of my vision in my right eye only, and its only there for a few seconds. It doesn't move, if I focus on it specifically, there is no other effect. I would say it's almost a perfect square & it "twinkles." The first time I saw it I thought there was a piece of metal on the ground catching the light. I do not have headaches, or any other significant symptoms that I am aware of.

My next eye exam is in about a month 1/2.  I recently told a friend about my new symptom & she felt like it was something that should be evaluated right away. My next eye exam is in about a month 1/2. Does it sound like I'm okay to wait that long or should I be seen sooner?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Your symptoms do not at all suggest a common variety of glasses problem. A medical health check up of your eyes by an eye MD ophthalmologist is strongly indicated. Find one at www.aao.org or ask you personal physician to arrange a consult with an Eye MD for you.

JCH III IMD

[AnnaE]

See an eye md, opthalmologist; Optometrists only fill RX. Eye mds examine eyes.
Find an MD eye doctor at www.aao.com.

The doctor here will give more info, if info is available.You need an eye exam, and comments/diagnosis from the doctor who examines you.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[chizzle]

Thanks for the advice, I'll be making an appointment on Monday.