Suggest Treatment For Eye Floaters

Posted on Fri, 24 Jun 2016

Question: Today i went for eye exam to the optometrist . He did all the routine exam, then he advised for Retina Digital Scan as i have floaters increased since last month. To some extent he was absolutely right as to rule out retina detachment or tear. But i said i will come later for the same. Then he said ok let me try to look behind your eyes. He then used very bright lights to shine in my eyes. One exam was like something horizontally bright yellow was moving from left to right on some axis and i was asked to look up, look down, look left and right. He repeated same thing with both the eyes.He keep on looking with light and lens in my eyes for 10 minutes. After that exam for some mins i was not able to see clearly. Then slowly slowly my vision become normal. I m scared not as that bright light must have done some damaged permanently to my eyes. Was that UV light, it was yellow bright. He also used some blue light too. Would there be any vision loss to me in future due to this. How long should i wait to see if any symtons appear for anything. How much damaged have been done by that.

Answered by Dr. Ashok Kumar Dash (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
sudden increase of floaters. should see retinaspecialist ophthalmologist

Detailed Answer:
optometrist is not a doctor. he is not supposed to see patient and give advise on future treatment. inyour case it appears you have sudden increase in floaters. soit is recomanded detail examination of retina to rule out holes tear or peripheral detachment. there may not be any such finding then this examination should have examinedfundus, preferably by indirect ophthalmoscopeto cover wider field and if nosuchfinding observed,then to be repeated after 6month to observe any such finding. should have consulted ophthalmologist preferably retina specialist, and not optometrist. Presumably the examination he tried was indirect ophthalmoscopy. for it alight is projected this is not supposed to be ultraviolet ray which can cause macular burn. the other light projected fell on macula and fovea it will have blinding effect but there should be recovery within short time. To asses that another fund us examination is to be done to see any macular burn exist from earlier time. Damage caused can now be assessed. when light is projected the patient is asked not to see or focus light directly. in-that way you will see foveal reflex and not possible to see other parts in detail. now you can get clarification from optometrist about light used for examination and clarification to know the test to examine behind eye.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Ashok Kumar Dash (1 hour later)

Thanks XXXXXXX I am United States Currently. I have left the State after the exam.
It would not be possible to get back to optometrist to ask what light source he has used. As far as i rem, He asked me to put my chin on some strap, then some machine was moving horizontally with bright light, and he was looking at another side, through some thing. What my concern is right now i am not feeling anything, all seems to be normal. The mistake has already been happen by me. I should have stopped him for doing that test. He did that test without dilation. For floaters i will have another test soon. What my concern is, due to such bright light, how can i know if retina has been damaged or not. Also can my next test evaluate the damaged done, or if body take some time to show some symptoms. I will again repeat all exam in 6 months. If results come fine, will i can assure that no damaged has been done by optometrist or still there are chances?
Please tell me one more thing.I have my marriage in Dec 2016. Should i discuss this with my fiancee and in laws. or should i postponed my marriage , I fear if few years down the line, i have to loose vision, then there is no point that i should spoil her(fiancee) life.
Please suggest, I am very much scared.

Answered by Dr. Ashok Kumar Dash (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
do not postpone marriage, keep in touch with retina surgeon.

Detailed Answer:
no need to postpone your marriage. I do not think you will lose your vision. There is no such reason now. Future problem is complication like retinal hole tear or detachment. When it happens it can be managed. Follow it properly. Do not postpone marriage, no reason to search for optometrist. Now you can get your treatment from ophthalmologist. Every thing will be alright. You will marry and will lead a happy married life.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Ashok Kumar Dash (9 hours later)

Thanks XXXXXXX I did little google search, i found the exam he did was slit lamp exam. The machine and procedure was exactly same. But starngley he did without dialation and very bright light for longer time. Futher as you are saying further complication..Is it due to after effects of wrong exam he did ?

Answered by Dr. Ashok Kumar Dash (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It is not the wrong investigation but wrong procedure.

Detailed Answer:
Dilatation is not required. It is not wrong examination but the procedure. It has been explained in detail about focusing bright light on macula and fovea. It is normal urge of patient to focus on light so that fovea will be focused and the doctor will see foveal reflex. It will have blinding effect for sometime, I have explained that by getting optometrist you will not gain anything. It has been explained about what you should do now. Take care of your eyes in future. Do follow it up or consult a retina surgeon.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Ashok Kumar Dash (11 hours later)

I have my optomologist appointment tomorrow. Receptionist told me that we will do retina exam with dilation. Please guide me if he again do Slit Lamp exam, should i request him to not to do that. As already i have done this exam last week. Should not this would cause more Photolight damaged to my eyes. There are so many articles on internet which confirms that Slit Lamp Exam will cause damaged to Eye Retina. If this exam is so risky why optomologist and optometrist do that frequently.

Answered by Dr. Ashok Kumar Dash (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
followup examination for floaters in vetrious.

Detailed Answer:
This examination has to be done but as follow up with retina surgeon. I will recommend discussing about referral to a retina surgeon. Since progress of retinal involvement is to be watched so it is to be done for considerable time.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Ashok Kumar Dash (1 hour later)

He is the Optomologist who do retina surgery also. Only One last concern is now i have is, one more time my eyes will be exposed to such high lights, wouldn't it damage my eyes.
That lamp is really very bright which doctor uses. It is written on so many articles that visual acuity can be effected badly and irreversible damage can occur if these exams are done frequently

Answered by Dr. Ashok Kumar Dash (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Request for second opinion.

Detailed Answer:
I have tried my best to explain. Nothing more I can add. You can get every thing clarified from optometrist. Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina