So 24 hours after a cobweb type floater appeared followed by flashing lights in one eye I was checked fully at the hospital eye clinic and sent away with a diagnosis of PVD. My question is and I didn’t think to ask at the time, is it safe to exercise with PVD? I don’t like to bother the clinic again right now so I asked at my opticians and got told I read the internet too much and their only advice was not to do a bungee jump! I do Zumba gold gently and I cycle a lot but for now I have decided to slow down!
Just wondered what other people have been advised .
Thanks in advance .
Written by
Trek25
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Hi Trek. It was several years ago when I was diagnosed with PVD and all I can remember is being told not lifting heavy things such as weights but have a look at the link from the RNIB on PVD as you might find something there.
Heya Trek25, I have PVD too and I was told not to lift weights, not to put my head down (i.e. in pilates/yoga poses), to avoid strong acceleration/deceleration forces (i.e. roller coster, bungee jumping, diving), avoid activities that can increase eye pressure (i.e. mountain climbing in high altitudes), avoid straining activities. I take vitamins for my retina and vitreo, they are supposed to help with the floaters. I think light exercise is fine, but always good to check with your doctor as he/she knows your eyes better than anyone else and can advise you on what you can/cannot do. Good luck
Hiya Miss_LuceMany thanks for you kind reply and thank you for sharing the advice you were given. It’s been 10 days now and my large floater is getting smaller or maybe I am used to it already but the flashing continues. I will definitely contact my doctor as well to get further advice. It certainly gave me a bit of a scare the eye first started flashing !
I never experienced flashing, only floaters tons of them. Yes, after a while your brain learns to ignore them, I notice them mostly when reading/working on computer on a white background, they will never go away but you will get used to them. I'd say go get your eyes checked if you keep seeing flashes, you want to make sure your retina is fine! As flashes are a sign of retina detachment too and that needs immediate attention.
As soon as the flashing started I went to A&E and within 24 hours my eyes were examined fully by an eye specialist where the eyes were dilated with drops, so my retina will have been fine. It’s certainly not got any worse but they did give me an emergency telephone number and if the floaters or flashing lights increase or if a black shadow or curtain comes across the eye to ring immediately. Definitely doing a daily if not hourly monitoring of my eyes right now. No fun getting old :).
Hi there I have had bilateral PVDs as far as exercise is concerned it does depend if it complete or not. If it’s complete it is safe to exercise if it is not then caution is wise as it might cause extra strain and cause tear. I would phone and try and find out. If this is your first you may get the other side PVD at some point mine happened 3 years later
Hi, I am being cautious and have put exercise on hold for now, next stop a phone call to the eye clinic or my GP . This is my first PVD and I am not surprised that I may get a PVD on the other side as well. Thank you so much, what a lovely forum this is.
Let us know what the doctor says. I have had vitreos detachment for 7 months and never thought about stopping exercise. The flashes have been reduced. The floaters are still there but what bothers me the most is the occasional foggy effect. I sometimes try to clean my glasses.
Hi, What exercises have you been doing? I have read today that vitreous detachment can take at least three months to complete and then it is considered safe to exercise and you have done 7 months, I would be happy with that 🙂
I certainly get the foggy effect and have also cleaned my glasses 🙂 and the glasses magnify the floaters.
I did not get any advice except that there was nothing the opthamologist could do about it. My 91 year old Mom got a retinal reattachment operation at the same week or so. I was more worried about her. I do all sorts of exercise (ski run bike lift) but if you have counsel to do otherwise, take care. I guess I blundered on this. This HealthUnlocked website is a good thing. I have not found a comparable source in the USA.
It’s been two weeks now and the symptoms are definitely improving and I am taking it easy. I have been told exercise is not a problem but I am being very careful as it’s not worth the risk. Thank you for your reply 😊
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