Eye Flashes

by Muffin
(Xinzheng, HENAN China)

I'm in China for 3 months and very recently (approx 3 days) have experienced "spider web flashes" in my right eye.

I was taken to the local hospital in rural China today and diagnosed with Macular Pigment Degeneration. I'm concerned that if this is "serious", I should go to a better hospital in the capital of Henan Province for further exam and diagnosis.

I return to the States 19 December and would prefer to be checked there if this is not something that requires immediate attention.

I appreciate the favor of a reply and thank you in advance.

Muffin

REPLY

Hi Muffin,

I've forwarded your email to Dr.Randall Wong who is a retina specialist. As soon as you responds I will post his reply.

Kind Regards,

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

REPLY

Dear Muffin,

New flashes are generally assumed to be related to an abnormality of the peripheral retina (as opposed to the macular area).

Causes of new flashes can be a retinal tear, inflammation or central nervous system related.

I don't usually associate flashes with macular problems, although I don't have the benefit of examining you.

This is a real non-answer as, worst case scenario, this were related to a retinal tear then you would need prompt attention.

Please let us know.

Randall V. Wong, M.D.

Retina Specialist Fairfax, Virginia

Vitamins for Eye Floaters

by Susan
(Netherlands)

My name is Susan Fila, I am writing from Holland. Recently I got flashes in my eye, so I went to see my eye doctor. But he didn’t say much about my condition.

Even before, he never seemed to care. He never mentioned to me that I had Posterior Vitreous Detachment in my left eye in November last year.

When I looked it up on the internet myself, then he told me, yes, that is what you have. But now it was in my right eye too.

I was complaining about my floaters more then since 2006 already. He said nothing about PVD.

Floaters, you can't do anything about them, he says always. It is because of aging.

He never says much, and he definitely doesn't care.
He is working in the hospital, and he never has time for you.

But now that I finally know, what my diagnose is, I can look further, I thought. But, I can not find anything. How can you fix Posterior Vitreous Detachment?

What is going to happen to me in the future. Can the body heal its self?

Of course I am also near sighted, and I am just 44. I definitely don't want to go blind.

I am also very lucky, that I do not have any bleeding, and the retina is ok. So far.

Can you tell me, how I can get better. And is it ever going to get better?

I also gave a massage to my eyes a couple of times. Was that a mistake with this condition? I massage my eyes also with the towel after taking a shower too.

If I just knew that I had problems with my vitreous, then I wouldn't do it.

Please, help me. I have no idea where to start looking for help.

Thank you for your time.

REPLY

Hi Susan,

What the eye doctor told my husband is that there really is no treatment for a post vitreous detachment (PVD). He had one a year ago in the left eye, which put him at a higher risk for a PVD in his right eye.

When he had the PVD a year ago it concerned me as well. Traditional medicine states that there is no treatment. Chinese medicine links PVD and the eyes to the liver. My husband agreed to have some acupuncture and took some supplements to support his liver and his eyes.

I spoke with Michael Edson who is a New York State Licensed acupuncturist and co-author of Natural Eye Care: A Comprehensive Manual for Practitioners of Oriental Medicine and Natural Eye Care: Your Guide to Healthy Vision. He suggested that my husband take several supplements. Which he did.

Floaters after a PVD often get better on their own, so it is hard to tell how much the acupuncture and supplements helped, but his floaters did greatly diminish. Here is what my husband took:

Advanced Vision and Eye Support



ReVision

Carlson's Omega 3's


Kind Regards,

Leslie Degner

Eye Floaters

by Mishelle
(United States)

Hi!

I have been getting laser hair removal on my face, and since I have been having this laser treatment, I have started experiencing floaters in my left eye.

I have been doing some research and am scared that the laser damaged my retina (since the laser was used between my eyebrows at times)... Is there anything that I can do to reverse this type of damage??

Does my research seem accurate?

REPLY

Mishelle,

With a large degree of certainty, I doubt the laser for the hair removal is affecting your vision. I believe it most likely a coincidence. Instead, I'd also make sure the floaters are not associated with a retinal tear or retinal detachment! See an eye doctor.

All the best and thanks for commenting.

Randall V. Wong, M.D.

Retina Specialist Fairfax, Virginia