Retinopathy concerns

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1
Hi, I need a bit of advice please.
I have been diagnosed with background retinopathy around 2 years ago. Recently in the last few weeks I have noticed a lot of black floaters in my right eye which have only just appeared there. What worries me is there seems to be more and more appearing.
Due to the current situation of the country I cannot have a retinopathy eye check.
Could I have some suggestions please? I am quite worried about this.
Josh
 

Grant_Vicat

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Type of diabetes
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Hi, I need a bit of advice please.
I have been diagnosed with background retinopathy around 2 years ago. Recently in the last few weeks I have noticed a lot of black floaters in my right eye which have only just appeared there. What worries me is there seems to be more and more appearing.
Due to the current situation of the country I cannot have a retinopathy eye check.
Could I have some suggestions please? I am quite worried about this.
Josh
Hi @spectacularjosh I'm sorry to hear about this. As the black floaters have increased, I would phone your GP surgery now. If they advise you to use the emergency service, go for it. You will at least be the right side of the hospital and I am sure they would at least set something in motion. Your eyes are too precious and delaying this could cause far more problems. I had my first full haemhorrage in 1979 and had both eyes lasered more than once until 1983. To this day I only use reading glasses. Careful control of bloodsugars was key. The very best of luck! Let us know how you get on.
 

Dark Horse

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1,840
What country are you in? In the UK, people can phone their GP, duty optometrist or NHS 111 for advice. A sudden increase in floaters warrants prompt investigation, particularly as you are young. It could indicate that you have new vessels which would require treatment. If the floaters are accompanied by flashes, this would be suggestive of retinal detachment which requires immediate investigation.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetic-retinopathy/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/floaters-and-flashes-in-the-eyes/
 

SugarDaddy91

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Wasps. Terrified of wasps. And retinopathy.
Hi, I need a bit of advice please.
I have been diagnosed with background retinopathy around 2 years ago. Recently in the last few weeks I have noticed a lot of black floaters in my right eye which have only just appeared there. What worries me is there seems to be more and more appearing.
Due to the current situation of the country I cannot have a retinopathy eye check.
Could I have some suggestions please? I am quite worried about this.
Josh
Hello, Josh. Are you near sighted? As Dark horse mentioned, floaters can be a sign of bleeding into the eye's jelly. It could also be a sign of a retinal detachment, but generally, you would have a decreased field of vision or severely reduced sight.
Most commonly, a sudden increase in floaters are caused by something called a posterior vitreous detachment.

The jelly in your eye is connected to the retina on all sides, but as we age, this jelly degenerates and becomes smaller.(if your eye is long, i. E. You're near sighted), then it could happen at younger ages as well.
Your eyes should definitively be checked as the common posterior vitreous detachment can sometimes tear a piece of the retina along. If that happens, you could potentially develop a retinal detachment. This rarer complication needs surgical intervention and the sooner, the better.

A rarer, but not at all rare complication could be vitreous hemorrhage. These can be big or small and depending on the size of the bleeding, it can hinder your sight pretty bad for as long as the blood stays in the eye. Usually, the bleeding will stop without further need for treatment, but oftentimes, the bleeding is severe and needs help in the form of sirgery or an injection. Take it easy and be calm until you've seen an ophthalmological specialist. Lifting heavy stuff and the likes could exacerbate things either way.
Stay safe!
 
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