hole in retina self help

[Cattnixon]

Started seeing black spots in left eye yesterday.  Then thousands of tiny gray spots were added. No insurance but went to Optomitrist and he found a hole in my retina. This a.m. I can now see the bottom and left edges of the hole. It is black and looks like there are hairs in my eye.  I'm not happy.  No money, can't have surgery.  Is there anything I can do personally to help the situation? Vitamins? Herbs? Rest?

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

    I agree with the advise you've been given. You are foolish if you do not have your eye examined by a retina MD ophthalmologist. If you have an indigent hospital or teaching hospital they treat and adjust charges to the income of the patient.

JCH MD

[katika29]

I fully agree with berrywoo.  I had the same symptoms.  At first black floaters, then flashing lights.  I ignored these for two weeks.  Then a black veil appeared in my vision and I could no longer see anything but black in the affected eye.  I went the next morning to a vitreo-retinal specialist.  He said I had a detached retina.  He tried to reattach it with laser, then gas bubble, a few days later, I had to have a buckle and vitrectomy with silicone to keep it attached.  The retina is still attached two years later, but I now have a macular buckle, and need to have another operation to correct that as well as take the silicone out.  Do yourself a favor and listen to me and berrywoo, try to get yourself to a vitreo-retinal specialist and try some of the suggestions for financial help that berrywoo gave you.  Maybe you can get some kind of state or city medical help, this is an emergency.  You could lose your eyesight.  I did not pay attention and waited too long before I saw a doctor, and now I do not have functional eyesight in my affected eye, even though the retina is reattached. Go to a specialist TOMORROW!

[berrywoo]

If you went to an optometrist, I would strongly recommend making an appointment w/ an opthalmologist and preferably a vitreo-retinal specialist. The vitreo-retinal specialist will do a thorough exam, usually a dilated eye(s) is viewed w/ an indirect opthalmoscope and scleral depression may be used to view the far periphery of the retina.

Many retinal holes are left untreated as they pose no immediate threat to vision. Yet, these do need to be monitored closely. Know the signs of a retinal detachment: an increase in floaters, flashes of light (which may look like either lightning bolts or camera flashes), and/or a dark curtain/veil in your vision. If you experience any of these symptoms go see an opthalmologist immediateley.

From your first post I think that you might be experiencing a RD b/c generally most people don't notice that they have a hole until discovered at an eye exam. You say you see black which could indicate a detachment. Also, your complaint seeing "hairs" in your eyes indicates floaters, which I'm quessing you didn't see previously. To me these indicate an EMERGENCY.

Regardless of your financial situation, please take care of your vision. See a vitreo-retinal specialist to rule out any possibility of a retinal detachment.

[Cattnixon]

Dr. just said to "keep an eye on it" ha ha.  Is he nuts?  He did that map thing to find the hole.

[berrywoo]

Forgot to add that there are no self remedies/medications that will fix retinal holes. The do however, need to be monitored by an eye M.D. preferably a retinal specialist.

[berrywoo]

Go see a retinal specialish ASAP!!!! You could be having a Retinal Detachment this can leave you blind!!
If you don't have insurance many hospitals and doctors offices will work out a payment plan w/ you. Or try contacting the local chapter of a Lion's Club or Knights Templar, both have financial aid programs to help those w/ vision problems.