Eye dot flickering problem

For years, my GP practice has a phone recording saying that for problems with teeth, see dentist and problems with eyes, see optician. I have much more confidence in my optician, re my eyes, than I would my GP. You should see your optician asap.

flashgordon12345 said:

I didnt think they had equipment to see if there is a start of a retinal detactment at a opticians or do they?

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Hi there, yes they do have the equipment, most of them, far more so than a GP. I use an Optician who specialises in very in depth examinations which goes above & beyond a routine 'diabetes' inspection. It does cost me £50 mind but that is a small price to pay. The very last place I'd go for an eye check is to my GP. Make sure you phone them beforehand to double check they are able to do a 'diabetes' examination but also consider finding one that has the latest equipment if you want a very in depth one. If you believe you may have the start of a detachment then that is an emergency, you need more than a routine check, you should get to an Opticians right now in fact, do not leave it. Sudden onset of flickering/dots/flashes can be a strong sign of a serious issue. I say this not to alarm you but having recently taken someone to such an appointment, the Optician sent us off to the eye hospital. Luckily it wasn't a retinal detachment but they did talk about 'signs' of this and emphasised anybody with symptoms MUST get treated as their sight could end up compromised.

Most opticians will have retinal photography equipment which will show retinopathy but not many will have the scanning technology used in ophthalmology.

@Dark Horse is knowledgeable in these matters.

My optician had until recently got far better equipment than my local hospital. Hospital's now got newer equipment, but no better than the optician's. Appointments at opticians are far more thorough and they show me previous scans compared to latest ones. Hospital can never find older information.

Having said that opticians vary in equipment and expertise, so you may be better going straight to A&E.

Hopeful34 said:

My optician had until recently got far better equipment than my local hospital. Hospital's now got newer equipment, but no better than the optician's. Appointments at opticians are far more thorough and they show me previous scans compared to latest ones. Hospital can never find older information.

Having said that opticians vary in equipment and expertise, so you may be better going straight to A&E.

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Guess it depends on the hospital. The ophthalmology clinic at my nearest hospital is like a science lab compared to my optician. Anyway hope OP gets the necessary advice and it’s nothing serious.

You have to get it checked ASAP. It’s your vitreous humour detaching from the back wall of the eye. It’s quite normal & normally isn’t a problem, but because it *could* also tear the retina, which would be very serious, you have to get it checked. 95% of the time it isn’t.

This just happened to me, age 62. But they have to check.

flashgordon12345 said:

Hi
I was wondering if anyone here has had an eye problem in one eye where its a dot and flickers? an if so what did it turn out to be?

Im T1 Diabetic, when I went to bed I noticed there was a flickering the size of a dot it was there all night and the start of the morning.

Im in UK, After waiting for 30 mins to book a doctor the receptionist said I can't book an appointment for eyes at the gp and to call up a optician even though I was there last month, an then its up to the optician to refer me to either the GP or a Hospital. I didnt think they had equipment to see if there is a start of a retinal detactment at a opticians or do they?

My yearly screening says I have signs of retinopathy but what i've been told is that gradual blurring.

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Your optician should be able to examine the inside of your eye with a slit-lamp and determine whether all is OK . As @LucySW says, it could be something like a vitreous detachment which generally happens as we get older and the vitreous jelly tugs on the retina as it shrinks. Usually this doesn't cause a problem but sometimes it can cause a small tear in the retina so it is best to get it checked soon. If there is a potential problem, your optician will be able to refer you to the right place.

flashgordon12345 said:

I called up the GP an requested to go private as its important but they need to send me a letter then I have to call to book which could be a over week.

So I called up an optician they said come tomorrow, I've just back they said they can see a small dot at the back of the eye in the nerves, they said some very long name sounded started with X or ph then retinopathy.

I'm booked with the hospital now.

Im kinda ******, I think my blood sugar is handled well, an im only 38 with a child on way.
I mean I can change my diet again so its super healthy but would that stop or just slow down the damage done.
Thanks for your replies.

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The stages of diabetic retinopathy are: background retinopathy, pre-proliferative retinopathy (also known as non-proliferative retinopathy) and proliferative retinopathy. Retinopathy can also be non-diabetic. You could ring the optician and ask them to tell you the name.

At this stage, just make sure you attend your hospital appointment and wait to see what they diagnose.