Health Issues

[Aruntraveller]

Hi all

After a recent minor health issue I thought it might be useful if we posted our experiences of such (if we feel like sharing) ifthis isn't the right area maybe the mods could  move it to the correct one.

Anyway, I have recently been plagued by a persisitent eye floater (Shaker stop sniggering now)  that will not go away. I went to my optician who referred me to ophthalmology at our local hospital. It turns out I have Retinal Lattice degeneration - one of the symptoms of which is these clumps of floaters which I am apparently lumbered with, more than likely, for life. Very annoying as I am forever blinking to try and clear my left eye. The consultant said that my sight would learn to ignore it - well I've had it some 4 months and it hasn't happened yet. Anyway, the upshot is that normally it is not dangerous but if you have high pressure in your eye the condition could lead to a tear in the retina - fortunately my pressure is normal - so the only thing I have to cope with is a persistent floater that won't go away. (OK now you can snigger Shaker). So if you have this symptom get it checked out.

[Brownie]

I am sorry you are troubled by this Trentvoyager but promise you, you will get used to it.  Four months isn't very long.  You've been reassured about pressure etc, nothing else wrong, and most just learn to live with floaters.  They seem odd at first though. 

[Harrowby Hall]

Hi Trent

I have had floaters for some years now. Sometimes (particularly when looking at white paper or white computer screen) it is as though I am looking through a net curtain.I dare say this is similar to your problem. I, too have not had any pressure problem.

It is some time since my last eye examination but when I reported it to the optometrist it was dismissed as unimportant. When he was my age, my father had bilateral detached retina and was effectively blind but I was told my retinae were fine and I was shown a picture of them.

I'm going away for a couple of weeks in a few days time but when I return I shall have an eye examination. I'm also a little concerned about possible cataract - but that is readily treatable.

[Aruntraveller]

Hi HH

I have always had floaters but this is like a clump that is permanently there. A bit difficult to describe - but it sort of floats in and out of my vision a bit, but basically hangs about. I'm not worried now I've had the reassurance but its just another indication of the imperfection of the human body, breaking down a little bit more as one ages.

[Gonnagle]

Dear Trent,

Sounds like a real annoyance old son, I don't have any advice that can help, but I hope and Pray you come to terms with your affliction ( affliction, yes ) anyway I am a specky bloke, and after a certain age ( cough ) your eye sight does deteriorate, so I attend the opticians about twice a year, taking care of your eyesight is very important, even if you have perfect eyesight, or you think you do, regular eye tests I think are a must.

Gonnagle.

[floo]

My youngest daughter (40) get floaters in one of her eyes from time to time, she does have a problem, which will be monitored, although at present her vision is good.

[Rhiannon]

I get floaters too, always worse when I'm tired although I don't notice them so much now. Very irritating for you, Trent.

[Rhiannon]

Ok, here's my top tip - if you get any kind of weird aches, pains, stomach problems, breathing problems, headaches etc etc that don't have an obvious cause, get your back checked. Pretty much everything I've had go wrong for the past twenty plus years has been caused by my back being out of line, due to hyper-flexibility in my case, and made worse by pregnancy.

[wigginhall]

I've had floaters for years, and don't worry about them now.  I have cataracts as well, and have stopped worrying about them, as they are monitored regularly by optician.   I do wear sunglasses most of the time, hey, it's that George Clooney look!  Maybe I don't worry enough.