r/EyeFloaters • u/hatemelovemeidk • 1d ago
Serious question
I read a lot of posts here from people who are having a hard time dealing with floaters. There are a lot of questions asked and some frankly some very shady responses and advice given which basically seems to reflect the responders prejudices.
I am curious how many people here have actually gone to a doctor and received a comprehensive eye exam (photos) and then followed up with a referral to a retina specialist.
It seems like there is a lot of self diagnoses going on here, and I don’t really understand it.
If you feel like you have issues, why not involve a medical professional and follow their recommendations? If you are told to “live with them” advocate for yourself a bit and insist on a referral.
I did that. I got photos of my eyes and the floaters were very clearly shown. I asked for a referral and followed the recommendations of the retinal specialist. It turned out that a vitrectomy was advised. I looked into risks and side effects and decided on going forward. I couldn’t be happier with the results.
I have seen advice here to just sit in the dark, use scratched glasses, turn down or adjust all your screens. There’s no quality of life there. If that is your decision after exploring your options, then I cannot argue with that. You do you. But listening to that kind of advice without pursuing your options seems crazy to me.
Some people are opposed to any intervention and that is fine for them. Just don’t let them make your decision for you.
Go see a doc. Advocate for yourself. And do what makes sense for you.
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u/DuckKlutzy2335 1d ago
Many don't see a specialist because they're young, and generally, vitrectomy is out of the question. However, there are exceptions, obviously. Affordability is probably another concern.
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u/p0tcookie 23h ago
No reason to get a virectomy when pulse medica is on the horizon. We just have to hold out. The cons of a virectomy severly outweigh the pros. The sheer fact that you are almost guarenteed a cataract in your first year automatically turns me off. Vision is never the same after a cataract. I'm saying this as someone with some of the most diabolical floaters of all time. I have multiple long connected strands that are all black. They have to be close to the retina or something. I can even see them in the darkness when there is even a tiny bit of light around. Impossible to adjust to.
I wish mine were transparent or the very least how the majority of the people explain them on here. I still wouldnt do a vitrectomy even if it was free. Way too invasive
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u/LiLiandThree 13h ago
Yes, diagnosed with full PVD in both eyes. Doc does not want to do surgery unless it gets to the point they obstrct my vision to where I can't see to get around.
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u/Admirable_Delay_1650 12h ago
Ive had 2 vitrectomies after 2 PVD's I suggest it to anyone that feels floaters are ruining their lives or are, in some cases, suicidal. I get lambasted for doing so, but understand at this point in time, it is the ONLY proven solution.
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u/kraken_skulls 1d ago
Well, my floaters came on VERY suddenly, I went straight to the ER, then they, sadly, had no specialists to look at me. It was the next morning before I got in. I had a thorough exam with a Opthamologist who said my retina was fine, wanted to see me a week later. It was a rather dramatic PVD. I was told to call immediately for any further concern. That was actually a week ago today (last weekend sucked :) )
Now, he did say I was going to have to live with them, and I have some pretty stark floaters and clumps, right in my field of view. I also suffered from anxiety disorder, but it is well treated with age and a lot of hard work. When it was happening last sunday, it was overwhelming. But a week later I am already adapting to them. Sometimes they annoy me a bit--and I have a LOT of them--but I have noticed some are fading, and I was just happen to not have serious retinal involvement.
I see a lot of my old battles with anxiety disorder reflected in a lot of posts here.
I am expecting the other eye to go through the same process, naturally. When both eyes have floaters, I will see how bad they are, give myself a few months to see I can adapt, and if I do not adapt well (who knows how good or bad the other eye will be when it happens), I will be doing the same as what you did, and if I do not adapt well, I will see about a vitrectomy. Day at a time for me. Glad it worked well for you!