Scared I will go blind?!

[Layla321]

Hi everyone don’t know why I went and ruined my Friday. I went into specsavers today as recently especially with the sunny weather I have been experiencing floaters white lights and flashy things. They did a full eye examination with the eye dye ect my vision is 20/20 and I passed all the vision test than he said I have debris behind both eyes and mentioned gel? And said this is causing the floaters and will refer me to a ophthalmologist for a second opinion. He said better a second doctor looks at it. I got back and was so depressed didn’t have lunch and worried sick that I will go blind and lose my vision. I dare not google as I am so so scared what will come up. This is the very reason I avoid doctors dentists opticians they scare me so much with what they find. I said if your sending me to a doctor must be serious? He said it’s better for a second opinion as they have bigger machines, and said the overall eye health looks good. My husband thinks I go digging up things “looking for problems” I said it’s been annoying me past few months and now the suns out it’s worse. He’s annoyed at me a little as he knows how stressed I am.

Gosh I just feel worry never ends.

[Jeff1943]

Layla321, the 'gel' the optician referred to is the vitreous that fills the centre of the eye and it's quite normal for it to contain 'debris' which is to say floaters. These are more apparent in sunny weather and specially if you are short sighted rather than long sighted.

Your optician has examined your eyes and has found everything in order. That's good. But your optician was absolutely right to refer you to a more highly qualified specialist to be on the safe side. This is because you mentioned white lights and flashes which sometimes are indicators of a problem but this is very unlikely.

Another possibilty, I would never ask a lady her age, but sometime between the age of 55 and 75 most people's eyes undergo what is called posterior vitreous detachment: this is when the gel that fills the eye becomes detached from the retina. But some of the gel remains attached to the retina and slight tugging occurs which causes flashes and lights.

Let me emphasise this is a perfectly normal part of the ageing process and most people don't even know it's happening. I experienced it about 10 years ago and in my case it caused a lot of debris to be released into the vitreous. However this debris disperses over a few months, this was what I experienced and my vision is perfect though sometimes I get the flashes (in my case round the edges of my field of vision) but as I know what they are they don't bother me.

The bottom line is that it is extremely unlikely the opthalmic specialist will discover anything wrong with you but I strongly suggest you see the opthalmic specialist for complete reassurance.

You see, Leyla, people who have anxiety disorder always exaggerate small worries into major disasters, it's in the nature of anxiety disorder.

So you have no need to worry, you can stop stressing and obsessing about your eyes, you will not go blind. Do make sure you see the specialist but everything is going to be o.k.

[Layla321 in reply to Jeff1943]

Thank you so so much for your kind words you seem be very educated on this subject and you said exactly what he mentioned. It’s great to here your eyes are great with what you experienced.

I am 35 years old and I’m just super worried if it gets worse or damages my “ excellent vision” I asked him about moving the debris he said removing it can be very tricky and will cause cataracts for sure. He said most people just learn to live with it. I said don’t want to touch something that isn’t broken! I just feel my brain is going 100MPH. Thank you so so so much for your much needed words of comfort and reassurance: it’s given me a peace of mind and I will sleep better after reading your words. God bless x

Also I have dr Clare weekes book finally. I need to read it a soon as.

[Indigojoe]

I had this problem when I was 40. It is common and it can be brought on by ........wait for it...............Stress and anxiety.

It's ok to listen to your husband on this one.

many of us have partners who provide us with a "matter of fact" attitude and believe it or not, it is a good counter balance to our over sensitive nature.

I totally hate it when any doc says, " I want you to have a second opinion". However, Jeff1943 said, " But your optician was absolutely right to refer you to a more highly qualified specialist to be on the safe side." and I think he is right.

Let us know what you choose to do.

I think we have all felt exactly like you do , right now.

[Layla321 in reply to Indigojoe]

Thank you for your reply gosh I didn’t know stress could have been a cause. I am patiently waiting for my letter to be refereed he said it will take 2-3 weeks. Hoping it would be quicker x I would like to hear from a professional it’s fine and just live my life.