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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Having A Spot Behind One Of My Eye S. What Could This Be?

Just spoke with my 81 year old mother in Florida who went to the eye doctor for a routine check-up. She has another appointment this coming Friday with another eye doctor for a spot behind one of her eye's. Fortunatley she through out her computer because she freaks out about anything but can you tell me what this is about and what this suggests. I'm her daughter, in Chapel Hill, NC and extemely educated. I don't worry about things I can't control. Thanks. And GO HEELS!
YYYY@YYYY
Sat, 6 Jul 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi,
There are many reasons for your mom to be seeing this black spot in her vision. One of the most common reason is called Posterior vitreous detachment or PVD. In everyday terms it's called floaters. Our eyeball has this jelly substance which keeps it inflated, kinda like a balloon. The back surface of the jelly is attached to the retina and the front surface is attached to the natural lens in the eye. Now, as we age, the back surface of the jelly will peal off leading to this floater or black spot looking thing that patients usually see. They are seen when starring at the clear blue sky or a white/pale sheet. This will resolve on it's own HOWEVER it can stay for a long time causing visual disturbances. There is no cure for it!

The other reason could be that there is a bleed inside the jelly and she is seeing the blood. If this is the case, then she need to get her blood work evaluated soon.

The other option is that she might have an inflammation in the back in which she also needs to get her blood work done to get that taken care of.

Hope this helps,
Dr. Jay Patel
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Having A Spot Behind One Of My Eye S. What Could This Be?

Hi, There are many reasons for your mom to be seeing this black spot in her vision. One of the most common reason is called Posterior vitreous detachment or PVD. In everyday terms it s called floaters. Our eyeball has this jelly substance which keeps it inflated, kinda like a balloon. The back surface of the jelly is attached to the retina and the front surface is attached to the natural lens in the eye. Now, as we age, the back surface of the jelly will peal off leading to this floater or black spot looking thing that patients usually see. They are seen when starring at the clear blue sky or a white/pale sheet. This will resolve on it s own HOWEVER it can stay for a long time causing visual disturbances. There is no cure for it! The other reason could be that there is a bleed inside the jelly and she is seeing the blood. If this is the case, then she need to get her blood work evaluated soon. The other option is that she might have an inflammation in the back in which she also needs to get her blood work done to get that taken care of. Hope this helps, Dr. Jay Patel