Eyes - Floaters

[Speedo1968]

Can anyone offer advice as why I may have floaters and what causes them to appear ?

The floaters have onl started in the past ten days, affect the right eye, which is my best eye ( I wear glasses only for reading ).
The first floaters were only when I looked at a wall, now they can show when walking.

The first floaters to appear were the size of small black ants with a small air bubble like floater moving through water trailing the ant.

Now I also see a large floater like curling smoke, grey or charcoal coloured, sometimes a greenish tint, these normally move from the center of view to the right top.

Don't see them when reading / wearing glasses.

No apparent stress cause.

 

My medical history is multiple TIA's since 2012 and 5 strokes in the past twelve months.

The last in June of this year which resulted in Rhabdomyosis ( creatinine levels of 38,000 ) and Acute Renal Failure.  Three weeks in ICU but no dialysis .

Fortunately I have recovered very very rapidly from both issue.

The TIA's and strokes have affected both left and right side of brain.   The last stroke affected the right side of the brain.   CT scans following last stroke

I have no other medical issues, am not overweight etc.

I take no medication of any form.

I exercise daily both walking, self massage, learning suitable yoga etc.

My diet is vegan ( over 40 years ) and very well controlled.

 

Never had floaters before so would be grateful of any advice etc.

[tso310]

Proper professional advice should be sought. 

[tonray]

Floaters are very common. Not something to worry about but  should have eye exam to exclude serious condition.

 

I have had floaters for many years but doc says not a symptom of anything but aging. 

Edited September 11, 2017 by tonray

[VocalNeal]

What he said. They could only be visual migraine on the other hand they could be symptoms of a detached retina which needs to get sorted quickly.

[yimlitnoy]

I had the same symptoms then a retinal detachment followed, also i was diagnosed with high pressure...

[shamrock09]

Floaters can often be a symptom of poor protein synthesis. As a vegan, you need to pay attention to the protein issue. However, your medical history of TIA and strokes could be a hint of something else. What is your blood pressure? Have you had your creatinine levels checked recently? Are you drinking plenty of water? The formula is 35 ml of water per kilo of body weight.

[bubba]

I also had similar symptoms several years ago. I noticed an increase in floaters and then a large one appeared when I woke up one morning. I recalled that this could be a symptom of the beginning of retinal detachment, so I called in to Rutnin Eye Hospital to get an appointment. As soon as they heard my symptoms, then asked me to come in straight away. I saw a retinal specialist who confirmed it was the beginning of a detachment and I was in emergency surgery late that afternoon.

 

Retinal detachment is a medical emergency. If you begin to see what appears to be a black curtain coming up in your field of vision, that is the detachment beginning. I actually saw that happening just before my surgery. As the detachment increases and you see more black, the less chance you have of keeping your sight. 

 

If you are in Bangkok, I would highly recommend Rutnin, and also Dr. Roy there, a retinal specialist who did his medical school and residencies in the USA. I am very grateful for his skill - he saved the eyesight in my right eye.

[Estrada]

Floaters occur normally with age, there is no treatment so learn to ignore them. I have had floaters in my eyes for the last 35 years. You can get an eye doctor to check your eyes to ensure that there are no serious conditions present.

Edited September 11, 2017 by Estrada

[bubba]

Just now, Estrada said:

Floaters occur normally with age, there is no treatment so learn to ignore them. I have had floaters in my eyes for the last 35 years.

Sudden increase in floaters or the appearance of large ones are not normal and should be investigated by a retinal specialist.

 

Had I ignored my floaters as you suggested, I would now be blind in my right eye.

[transam]

2 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

What he said. They could only be visual migraine on the other hand they could be symptoms of a detached retina which needs to get sorted quickly.

Yep, I  have the T-shirt...OP, go to a hozzy to get an eye guy look inside your eyes for a possible retina detachment. It is key to catch it early.

[atyclb]

best see an opthalmologist to see if anything serious is happening that needs intervention to save vision. if u dont have insurance a government hospital has considerably more reasonable prices than a private one and often many of the same doctors will work at both.

[quandow]

Yeah - I'D trust my vision to the opinions of a bunch of armchair alcoholics.

 

GO SEE THE DOCTOR while you still can!

[csabo]

Stop eating the mushrooms

[Mazungu]

Probably best to see a specialist to confirm no other serious eye issues. I've had floaters since I was 20 years old and they have multiplied through the years. At first they freaked me out and were quite bothersome but I've learned to adjust to them. Now I only notice them occasionally. It seems after awhile your eyes can almost subconsciously move them out to the side of your sight to an area where you don't notice them as much. I've never had any other eye issues for the last 30 years. Only the floaters. I've been told by eye doctors they are very common and they can't do anything about them. All you can do is get used to them. But the doctors have also told me that if you see bursting lights or stars you should go see a doctor immediately as it is likely a more serious eye problem. 

[Skeptic7]

Have never worn glasses...don't need them. Have had small floaters for at least 2 decades. They are common...but if large and distracting, a visit to an eye doctor would be prudent. 

[thailoneus]

I had these recently. Saw the retina specialistear at bkkhkt hospital. He appeared thorough in his examination. Was told...

I have a retinal tear. Used laser to repair it.

16000baht.

Follow up exam 2 weeks later...6000b. 

If I don't repair it, it can get worse. Means the gel in the eyeball can flow out thru the tear. If the floaters multiply or I see blinking lights or anything abnormal, go to emergency asap or could lose my sight.

My advice...if my sight is in question,  i would see the specialist asap.

 

[steve187]

get it looked at, i don't believe people are saying floaters are normal, yes they are but not if there is a quick change over a short period of time.

i had a retina detachment and it started with floaters.

[Sheryl]

Floaters are common as you age, but sudden new appearance of them should always be assessed by an opthalmologist to rule out a serious causes such as  uveitis or retina detachment. Odds are the doctor will say all is fine and these are just age related floaters, but better safe than sorry.

 

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eye-floaters/basics/causes/con-20033061

[windas]

Go see a good specialist. I ended up with a detached retina. Mine started with floaters then progressed to what I can describe as looking through a swarm of bees.

Don't leave it get it checked.

[realenglish1]

Why are you asking here Go see a professional Doctor and let them address the floaters

 

[JackGarbo]

Floaters are a natural part of aging.  The translucent floaters are congealed bits of vitreous humor, the liquid that fills the eyeball (keep it inflated), about which nothing can be done. The "black ants" are tiny blobs of congealed blood, probably from your stroke. I got them from a severe bang on the head. They dissipate after some time, falling to the bottom of the eyeball, out of sight and eventually reabsorbed.

HTH

JG

[bubba]

57 minutes ago, JackGarbo said:

Floaters are a natural part of aging.  The translucent floaters are congealed bits of vitreous humor, the liquid that fills the eyeball (keep it inflated), about which nothing can be done. The "black ants" are tiny blobs of congealed blood, probably from your stroke. I got them from a severe bang on the head. They dissipate after some time, falling to the bottom of the eyeball, out of sight and eventually reabsorbed.

HTH

JG

 

True, floaters are a natural part of aging, but a sudden increase of floaters, particularly large ones can be indicative of a serious condition such as retinal detachment. When the retina begins to tear and separate, blood is released. A stroke does not create floaters within the vitreous of your eye.

 

As many others have said here, you really should get an ophthalmologist to examine you. Thailoneous got in early and had his retinal repaired by laser. In my case, I didn't get in fast enough and some serious and painful surgery was required, but it was worth saving my eyesight. This could be a matter or urgency in saving your eyesight, or it may be nothing serious. Why take a chance?

[transam]

OP, if you move your eyes slowly all over the place as far as they will go, look for any blacked out areas, even tiny, if you have one that is the start of the retina peeling off the eyeball. If you haven't that is good but doesn't mean you are out of the woods. Go get it looked at fast.

[steve187]

did you see a 'bright flash ' at anytime, a bit like sun reflecting off a passing car but brighter.

[captainhornblower]

I have had floaters for many years.

 

My opthalmologist told me they were not harmful as they are dead cells in the vitreous fluid of the eye. You see them as they float in between the lens and the retina.

 

Three years ago, when I had a cataract operation, I asked her if anything could be done about the floaters. She advised me there is a very long and expensive process of clearing the vitreous fluid but she did not recommend it as it was not foolproof and the floaters can return.

 

My eye opthalmologist is a resident doctor at Rutnin eye hospital in Bangkok. 

[simon43]

My diet is vegan ( over 40 years ) and very well controlled.

 

Slightly off-topic, but as another poster commented, do you know why you have had TIAs and strokes?  Your vegan diet and normal weight would suggest that such events should be a rare occurance.

[Speedo1968]

21 hours ago, shamrock09 said:

Floaters can often be a symptom of poor protein synthesis. As a vegan, you need to pay attention to the protein issue. However, your medical history of TIA and strokes could be a hint of something else. What is your blood pressure? Have you had your creatinine levels checked recently? Are you drinking plenty of water? The formula is 35 ml of water per kilo of body weight.

Thanks for the reply and very relevant information and questions shamrock.

Regarding protein, thank you, a very valid point for both meat eaters ( too much protein ) and no animal by-product diet ( too little protein ) even though a vegan for 40 years.   I had had a poor diet for a few weeks.    Protein synthesis was ok just not enough 'good' protein.   My diet is low / no added sugar, low fat, high fibre, no salt ( added ) except in my morning smoothie or when I have been sweating a lot.

 

My general health did drop once I retired.   Having worked since I was 15 ( 56 years ago ) until 2011 in farming, most of it in different countries until 2013, long hours and on call 24/7.  I did have a few burn outs during this time.

I did some teaching, Farming and English until 2013.   I guess my brain went into reverse when I stopped working.

 

My blood pressure, I have an early morning high on waking of 160 - 170 over 60/70, pulse 38.    In mid July I could not walk, now I take a 3km + walk including breathing and upper body exercises whilst walking within 15 minutes of waking.  This I increase slowly over each month.  No time limit, I go at the speed of my feet.   After my walk my BP drops to 140 - 150.    Yes I have a low heart rate 35 - 45 even after my walk etc, it has been as low as 30; I don't have an issue with this as I often feel that a lower rate means ( to me ) I am more at rest and is less strain on the heart.

 

I had a creatinine check last week and it was 1.01.  The previous one some weeks earlier was very similar.  I also do a visual check on my urine every day to look for bubbles ( can be a sign of creatinine ).

 

I have lived worked in places that have extreme heat ( 60C ) and high humidity, as well as very cold ( -20 ) for much of my working life.    Water, I drink at least 3 litre per day, excluding other fluids.    I don't drink alcohol or smoke.  I have also stopped my one oleang coffee a day for the time being.

 

So far I am pleased with my recovery and hope to continue.

 

 

[Sheryl]

A heart rate in the 30's is never normal and suggests a serious problem.  If true you need urgently to see a cardiologist.

 

That BP is also a worry, but HR most of all. How are you measuring this?

 

P.S. Your diet has nothing to do with the floaters.

[Speedo1968]

20 hours ago, simon43 said:

 

 

 

Slightly off-topic, but as another poster commented, do you know why you have had TIAs and strokes?  Your vegan diet and normal weight would suggest that such events should be a rare occurance.

Thanks for your response simon43.

Yes, you are right, a vegan diet should help.  I have been around 60kg since way way back.  I did put on some weight when I had burnouts ( irregular eating times when working / travelling 48hr shifts etc ).    Quickly lost weight and was not overweight 2 years before my first TIA.  

I had had migraines since a young age, worsening as I got older, normally "Weekend migraines", not that I had a standard working week.    Have had long spells without so could be work stress related.

No idea why I have had either TIAs or stroke.

I was adopted so no knowledge of family medical history.

[atyclb]

15 hours ago, Sheryl said:

A heart rate in the 30's is never normal and suggests a serious problem.  If true you need urgently to see a cardiologist.

 

That BP is also a worry, but HR most of all. How are you measuring this?

 

P.S. Your diet has nothing to do with the floaters.

 

 

hr 30.   tv members are special in case you never noticed.