Visitor

Posted by Ray Schaufeld on Sun, 18 Feb 2018

My optician advised me that because I have a 'complex prescription' if I see flashes or floaters in front of my eyes I should get to A & E straightaway as it could be a detached retina. Eight nights ago I was reading in bed. I thought I had a speck of dirt on my left lens but no. I have a little spidery thing that swivels round when my eye moves. Sunday morning at RD & E was quiet. I was seen in under 3 hours by the eye nurse. I would have got seen sooner but I had no change for the coffee machine and got lost walking to the main hospital ATM. The coffee was rotten. The nurse did the usual drills, she got me to read the board, puffed air in, took pictures and said they would send out an appointment. I had a mocha in the main hospital cafe which was quality stuff and bussed back home accompanied by Pete. The phone call came on Tuesday, my appointment at the Eye Clinic was next day. 'This is serious' I thought.Both times I took my pyjamas and my washbag in case they needed to give me laser treatment straightaway. 

The coffee machine in the eye clinic wasn't working, patient after patient tried it. Business was brisk in the busy, well-run clinic. A nurse squirted two sets of drops in both eyes. They stung but not for long. Everyone in the waiting room with grey hair now appeared to have a purple tint. The optician examined my eyes, she made me look up, down, left,and right, scouring the corners of the room. I then had another mocha and mushrooms and beans on toast in the main hospital cafe and went home.

The outcome? A harmless floater. It's still there. Just a little visitor that's moved in and doesn't pay the rent. A sign of age.

Comments

Submitted by celticman on

ah, purple eyes and purple hair and bad coffee. age gets us all. 

 

Submitted by Ray Schaufeld on

yes and I used to like spiders, would be worse if it was a grizzly bear, but 'a place for everything....'

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

My husband had a similar incident, he described it as looking through a spider's web. He did have a tear of the retina and had to have laser treatment. He was told that flashing lights should be investigated immediately.

Submitted by Ray Schaufeld on

Im glad your husband's laser treatment workedsmiley

Submitted by mickleinapickle on

When I was working, I spent most of the day in front of a computer screen and I used to get black and white zig-zags in front of my eyes. I've now been retired for over a year and don't get them any more. I often have floaters still. Last time I had my eyes tested, the optician shone a light into my eyes and said he could see the floaters... most disconcerting. He assured my they were nothing to worry about. I avoid the coffee and tea from machines. I always have a bottle of water with me... a reusable bottle of course. Enjoyed your blog, Elsie.

 

Submitted by Ray Schaufeld on

I now know new words 'a cascade of floaters', 'curtains' and of course flashing lights. These would be a greater cause for concern.

Glad you are well, Shackleton and thanks for reading.