Flashes and Floaters
NON-WORRISOME FLOATERS
Many people occasionally see some floating material in their vision. This may appear as a dot, a translucent short string, or a “tadpole”. These floaters often seen only under bright lighting circumstances, for example, against snow or a bright sky or a white ceiling. Some patients first notice them when looking through a microscope or binoculars. Most such floaters are visible again under similar lighting conditions. These non-worrisome floaters represent flecks of material floating in a liquid pocket within the vietrous jelly-bag in the back of the eye.
POSTERIOR VITREOUS SEPARATION
Posterior vitreous separation produces another kind of floater, which is moderately worrisome. Posterior vitreous separation is a rather common event. About 50% of eyes by age 60 have gone through this process. The sudden appearance of floaters in one eye is the primary symptom of posterior vitreous separation. These floaters are usually described as a cobweb, a comma or circle, and usually appear in the vision slightly to the side from where one looks.
Sometimes a posterior vitreous separation is accompanied by flashes of light off to the side in the vision of the affected eye. Occasionally these flashes precede the actual posterior vitreous separation by several days or even weeks. Sometimes they last on an occasional basis for months afterward. Eventually, they subside.
WHAT’S THE WORRY?
Apart from the nuisance of experiencing floaters, the problem with posterior vitreous separation is that between 3% and 10% of the time the retina (the Saran Wrap thin membrane suctioned up against the inside back part of the eyeball that acts a little like the film in your camera) is torn in the process. About 50 percent of the eyes that have a retinal tear will, if not treated, go on to develop a retinal detachment. If this is going to occur, it usually occurs during the first 6 weeks from the onset of floaters.
Suddenly seeing a large number of tiny dots in one’s vision, especially along with other floaters, increases the concern. These dots are red blood corpuscles and imply that either a blood vessel on the retina has been tweaked or the retina itself has been torn. The likelihood of finding a retinal tear in the present of these “dots” is about 50%, increased from the 3% to 10% chance when they are not present.
Since almost all of the retinal detachments that result from tears occurring from a posterior vitreous separation develop within 6 weeks of the onset of floaters, IT FOLLOWS THAT IF ONE HAS HAD SYMPTOMS OF A POSTERIOR VITREOUS SEPARATION FOR MORE THAN 6-8 WEEKS, ONE HAS BEEN THROUGH THE PERIOD OF MAJOR WORRY OF RETINAL DETACHMENT.
THE EXAMINATION
If one has experienced floaters suggesting a posterior vitreous separation, it is a good idea to be examined by an eye physician within a few days and to avoid heavy jarring exercise in the meantime. The proper examination involves dilating the pupil with eye drops (usually, but not always, both eyes are dilated). The eye is examined with the patient lying down using the indirect ophthalmoscope (which appears as a bright light on the examiner’s forehead) and a hand-held lens. A small probe called a scleral depressor is used to press on the eyeball through the eyelid in order to bring into view the part of the retina in which the tears are usually found.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR AFTERWARD
If a tear is not discovered, it is not likely that one will develop later. However, it is not impossible. Symptoms that should cause one to return for re-examination are:
A new mess of floaters, especially if accompanied by a large number of little dots.
A shade or a shadow covering up or severely disturbing part of the side (or up or down) vision of the affected eye.
It does not hurt to check the peripheral (side) vision briefly on a daily basis, especially during the 6 to 8 week “danger period”. This is accomplished by closing the other eye, picking an object to look at on the opposite wall straight ahead, and presenting one’s fingers off to the side, and above and below, to make sure that the area of the side vision that you ought to be able to see is still working.
WHAT ABOUT REEXAMINATION?
If there is no abrupt change in floaters and no shade or shadow develops, is it necessary to have a follow up examination? Often a formal follow up examination is not necessary. However, if your eye physician detects any suspicious findings in the peripheral retina or if there are other particular risk factors in your personal or family ocular history, then a follow up examination or a referral to a retinal specialist may be recommended.
IF A TEAR IS FOUND
If a retinal tear is found, either cryotherapy or laser will be recommended to seal the area around the retinal tear to prevent a retinal detachment. These are both outpatient procedures involving minimal discomfort and are often performed on the same day that the retinal tear is discovered. Such treatment reduces the likelihood of going on to a retinal detachment from 50% down to 2% or 3%.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY FLOATERS?
In most eyes, the floaters will “lighten up” over several weeks to many months. In addition, most patients eventually get quite used to the floaters that remain, noticing them only when asked to look for them. (Admittedly, this may not sound very likely right now, but it almost always comes to pass.)
WILL THIS HAPPEN AGAIN?
Usually not. Posterior vitreous separation is ordinarily an all or nothing phenomenon. Exceptions exist, but usually a completed posterior vitreous separation that has been present for 2 or 3 months without trouble is considered protective against retinal detachment.
WHAT IS NOT A FLOATER
Shimmering lights which obscure a portion of the vision, gradually developing and subsiding over 15 minutes to an hour and usually present to some extent in both eyes (if one thinks to check the other eye) are not floaters. Most commonly these symptoms are related to migraine, even though they sometimes occur without headache.
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) is a common eye ailment that has affected many of us. It is caused by an infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva. Pink eye usually is brought about by either bacterial, viral, or numerous allergic factors. Although pink eye is not a serious eyedisease, the bacterial causes need to be treated because the symptoms do not go away without proper treatment and this variant of conjunctivitis can be passed on to other people just by coming into contact with the exact, identical items. Conjunctivitis usually looks very bad on first diagnosis as the eye can turn very red but the worst part is usually the irritation and itchiness.
Causes of Pink Eye
Pink eye results in redness, irritation, or inflammation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the clear, thin membrane that covers the white portion of the eyes as well as the inner surface of the eyelids. The conjunctiva usually reacts to bacteria, viruses, allergy causing medium, irritants, or diseases of other parts of the body. Viral Conjunctivitis is induced by viruses that spread from various ailments like colds, sore throats, respiratory infections and others. Bacterial Conjunctivitis is caused by certain bacteria that have made their way to the eye. Examples of bacteria include staphylococci and streptococci. Allergic Conjunctivitis is caused by allergic reactions to distinctive substances such as fumes, cosmetics, drugs, dust mites, air born chemicals, and many others. Conjunctivitis is usually more prone in people who have allergic conditions.
Pink Eye Symptoms
The unique forms of pink eye have comparable indications but each case can have varying degrees of particular symptoms. Some of these symptoms are existent in the different types of pink eye. The obviously noticeable sign is the pink to reddish color covering the eyes which is again due to inflammation of the conjunctiva. Irritation and itchiness are two other symptoms that are often characteristic of conjunctivitis. Tearing is another prevalent symptom as the eyes develop increased tears in order to aid in relief. Some differences among the types of pink eye include discharge that maybe frequent in both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis. This discharge maybe yellow or green and can cause the eyelids to stick together or can flow down the sides of the eyes.
- Viral Conjunctivitis Symptoms
- Watery eyes accompanied with discharge are usual.
- Discomfort in the eye with itchiness maybe present.
- The infection usually affects one eye but can move to both.
- Bacterial Conjunctivitis Symptoms
- Watery eyes followed with yellow or green discharge are natural occurrences.
- Irritation can be found along with an itchy feeling.
- The infection usually starts with one eye and can spread to the other.
- Allergic Conjunctivitis Symptoms
- Heavy tearing, discomfort, and itchiness affecting both eyes are especially likely.
Is Pink Eye Contagious
Bacterial and viral pink eye is contagious but allergic pink eye is not. It can be hard to tell which type is present but allergic pink eye usually goes away after a shorter amount of time or when the irritating agent is removed and the eyes rinsed out. The infectious types of pink eye are the ones to be wary of because spreading can occur very easily. People can contract pink eye just by touching or using another article that has been infected by a person who has the eye infection. For a simple illustration, a person who has pink eye who has rubbed his eyes and used that hand to open a door or used an object near the eye like eye makeup or eyedrops could end up infecting someone else who touches the aforementioned door or uses the same object in their eyes. This is why it is encouraged that people, more often kids, who are diagnosed with pink eye, should stay home until the infection is cured to avoid giving the infection to other people. Some incidents of pink eye in one are spread to the other in the same manner. Other means of passing the infection include sharing daily items like pillowcases, towels, bathroom washcloths, and many others. To answer the question, two versions of pink eye are very contagious.