Yesterday feeling great for the first time in ages. Did yoga with no impact on shoulders and then a bit of weeding. Then in the evening I noticed quite a prominent floater. It was still here this morning and joined by a cloud of tiny floaters that were hardly visible. It felt wrong so I got an emergency optician appointment. He found posteriour vitreous detachment, with a small bleed. It wasn't very bad, but because I have glaucoma in the other eye he said he would refer me to an opthamologist. So two things:
Amazing treatment from Boots who have a contract to provide emergency care on the NHS. It's only in my area, but there may be similar arrangements in other areas so worth checking. Just superb service - I was seen within the hour and they were really excited to have me - I suppose it justifies their contract.
Second thing. Is there any connection anyone knows about between pred and PVD? Or GCA for that matter.
Ho hum it seems like there's always something else.
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Viveka
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I have PVD in both eyes. One was pre PMR diagnosis/steroids. I had a thorough check by a specialist and was told it was an age thing and my eyes were fine. The second eye PVD was quite dramatic. I saw so many flashing lights and in my peripheral vision it looked like flocks of birds were swooping around. Thankfully that subsided rather quickly.
I had PVD in both eyes, although at a 3 month interval, long before PMR raised its head. I also know others who have had it happen and there’s no link with PMR or steroids in their cases either, we were all told it’s linked to ageing eyes.
Mine happened several years ago and, once I’d gotten used to the occasional floater reappearing, I forgot about it.
All good wishes for yours to follow the same path.
Thanks for this, yes it seems like mostly it is ok. He was being doubly cautious cause of glaucoma in the other eye and spotting what he thought was bleeding. Love your name!
Personally I find the advice there as clear as mud - I assume calling 111 would get you the correct advice as to where to go. If anyone in Scotland knows better - please tell me!
Thanks, he mentioned those schemes but I think he was involved in another programme by Somerset ICS to reduce pressure on A&E. Thank god for it. Boots isn't on the online list anyway, but possibly 111 would have it. Never thought to ring them. When my normal optician had no space I started on the nearest opticians. I am so grateful to be seen so quickly and now hope the bleed is something and nothing. Floaters better already, fingers crossed.
So glad that you were efficiently treated and are on the right path. I have my eyes thoroughly checked every few months, my own optician has a similar contract. It’s horrible that you were in such a positive place and then this happens. Hope it’s all ok and your positivity carries on!
Thanks for your support SJ - yesterday I was starting to feel like myself again and I was planning a shopping trip today - instead emergency optician. At the moment it seems like there is always something to knock me back. However, feel a bit better now and know so many people have much greater challenges. X
These diseases can feel like that and so can getting older and all that brings unfortunately, it takes a high degree of active acceptance to cope, I fail all the time. My mum used to say “ you just have to keep on, keeping on”. 🍀
I suffered a PVD after 18 months of PMR/Pred. My optician explained it was unlikely related to either but just one of those things that happens at about 60 years of age which was spot on!
I experienced a pvd in 2019 and GCA in December 2021 onset. Owing to the time lapse I cannot say if there is any correlation. I did not get any ophthalmic symptoms when GCA came on . I started on prednisolone within 24 hours of it being suspected thanks to a very vigilant GP..
I had been taking steroids for over 2.5 years. I was driving and noticed cloudy vision with bloody worms in my visual field. I called the ophthalmologist and he told me to come in at 7:30 am on Monday. My retina was torn. I have had two laser surgeries and am waiting a surgical date for bilateral cataracts and possible more retinal surgery. The cataracts prevent the ophthalmologist from seeing the retina clearly. I did ask about steroids and retinal tears. I was told, "Although, there is limited documentation in journals. It is possible that the steroids contributed to my tear." I am also near sighted.
I had a PVD a couple of years ago Viveka. The GP told me about the arrangement with opticians and I went the following morning. I had just been diagnosed with PMR (wrongly it turned out) but the optician said that a PVD was just one of those things that happens when you get old. I also had a bit of a bleed and was referred to the Emergency Eye Clinic at a local hospital. Turned out to be nothing to worry about. I can still see a bit of cloud at the corner of my eye when conditions are really bright. The optician has just said that the other eye might go soon, so I'm prepared. It's a bit frightening when it happens isn't it? I was quite concerned because a couple of years before that I had a TIA, during which I had vision problems. Always best to get things checked out isn't it?
I had pvd at 55–doc said it happens at 85, not 55. Took a while to adjust to but it’s fine now…well, he can see it, he says, but I can’t. Now I have the beginnings of retinol erosion which one doc said was a tear, my doc says it is not. I blame pred for that.
It is scary. Ive had it happen in both eyes (about 18 months apart) both times with bleeds which were like very big black floaters and along with peripheral flashes . After emergency visit to optician with first eye and reassurance that it was an ‘age thing’ I was told the same thing would probably happen again with he other eye. When it did (18 months later) to ascertain it was the same problem I shut myself in the garage in complete darkness and could see the flashes at the side of my vision so I knew what was happening.
I have PVD in one eye too. I was told it is more prevalent in people who are short sighted. This is because the eyeball is not spherical but more oval hence why the image is formed in front of the retina and the need for spectacles to correct this. As we age and the shape of the eyeball becomes more ovoid, this pulls the vitreous away from the retina. The vitreous is attached by stringy tissue and as it breaks off it looks like floaters. In short sighted people if a PVD is in one eye you are more likely for it to occur in the other eye too. Our brain quickly adapts and ignores the floaters.
We see loads of PVD’s in the eye clinic where I work. It is an age related condition and is just as common in 50’s as in 80’s. Mine both detached in my mid 50’s and well before I was on any medication. They are alarming and the floaters are a nuisance but should always be checked to ensure that it is not a retinal detachment. Hope this helps.
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