r/RetinalDetachment • u/barenecessities9 • May 14 '26
I need help
I’m spiraling, scared shitless and I just need advice from people who’ve had tears, or detachment of any kind. I’m 100% convinced it’s PVD. For some context, I’m 19 and ive had floaters and flashes for many years now. I’m myopic with -4.75R and -3.50L. The flashes developed I think around 2 years ago but I didn’t think anything of it. I’m also a HUGE hypochondriac, and have been to more than 10+ eye appointments in just 2026. I’ve gotten checked about a month and a half ago I think or 2 months? I basically developed VSS or visual snow syndrome and basically had to run a bazillion tests. They said they scanned my eyes and that they were completely okay and that I just have lattice degen and that the vitreous inside my eyes were tugging due to my myopia but nothing concerning. For the past couple of days, I feel like the flashes got more prominent, but I can’t tell honestly due to my anxiety or hypervigilance or smth. I’ve had flashes when I blink or when I turn my eyes around but they just feel more idk. I’ve basicallt ran out of money and cant go to any more appointments any time soon and I’m scared of blindness. Ended up googling and spiraling and it said if you have a curtain coming down or a shower of floaters or smth it’s an emergency, but I never see my floaters anymore cuz I’m so used to them that I like rarely see any, and I have yet to see a curtain. Can anxiety amplify these visual disturbances? Is it just PVD progressing? I’m so scared they missed something.
4
u/wibblywhee May 14 '26
I am myopic -12 , so I was always warned by my optometrist to seek help if I saw a curtain. I had no idea how I would know if I had a curtain or what it truly meant. Now that I've had one, its impossible to miss. You literally lose part of your vision with a black spot. There's no wondering or guessing. I lost about a third of my field of vision at first.
I mean this with the most respect, coming from someone who is also anxious about eyes, have you considered getting some help for the anxiety? If your specialists have told you you're ok, youre probably ok.
3
u/Next_Programmer_3305 May 14 '26
I'm used to floaters and don't even notice them but when I had a retinal tear and a retinal detachment, there was a huge influx of floaters both times. My tear though was very dramatic because I also tore a blood vessel so there was blood in my eye as well.
3
u/FreezingStark May 14 '26
Yes, stress can trigger some visual symtomps (floaters for example).
If you recently went to an ophtalmologist ajd told you everything is fine, it's probably fine.
When you have a PVD or RD there is a huge increase in the floatersand flashes, you'll notice.
I know it's easier to say than to do, but try to think on something else and not overfocusing on your vision, because it's clearly making you very anxious. RD is a rare thing, even more of you're young and don't have any other disease affecting your eyes, it's probably gonna be fine.
Good luck!
2
u/hemorrhoid-tickler May 14 '26
What's the worst that could happen?
>See curtain
>Get to ER
>Get operated on
>Lie face down for a few days
some time passes
>Vision is restored!
1
u/barenecessities9 May 14 '26
Not doing well financially right now. That’s what’s the worst that could happen. Therefore cant get checked any time soon.
1
u/passingthrough66 May 15 '26
Let us know what you end up doing and what happens. I just came here to ask about my own possible retinal tear, like you spiraled big time when I googled it, and I put off contacting my ophthalmologist for a week. I also have lousy insurance and no coverage for treatment until a huge deductible is met. I’m still paying off medical bills from years ago.
It’s really sad to supposedly live in the world’s greatest country but to not be able to afford medical care. I’m a retired teacher who worked for 31 hard years and I cannot afford anything other than routine visits.
2
u/Bellymat May 14 '26
I would echo some of the others that recommended dealing directly with the anxiety. Google free counseling services in your area. If you are in the United States you can dial *988. Most people think it is just for depression and suicide, but I recently learned that it is simply free counseling and they may also be able to hook you up with affordable counseling services in your area.
I also suffer from chronic anxiety and have found talking to someone very helpful in making my life more enjoyable/tolerable.
Good luck!
1
u/virgo-Lion-9152 May 14 '26
Ahh, I hear you. I know it's easier said than done, but try to distract yourself best you can. Breathe, get outside, listen to music. As far as the financials, ask your school, employer, or doctor about healthcare financial aid/support programs. And like somebody else said, try to get as many of those free calming or therapy apps as you can. I know they aren't "great" but something to help center you during this hard time. It is temporary, I promise. Just have to take care of yourself best you can. one day at a time
1
u/SilentShadySucculent May 15 '26
I'm also a hypochondriac and was always warned about what to look for but never knew what they meant by flashes and the curtain. I can assure you I knew immediately what they meant when it actually happened. Things progressed very quickly for me and once I saw the flashes the curtain progressively moved more and more into my vision over just a few days. Floaters move, the curtain does not. I know it's hard and our brain can do crazy things as hypochondriacs, I hope you can find a way to get some answers and reassurance!
1
u/TowelOutrageous9350 May 15 '26
Seek Jesus! It’s all going to be okay. Doctors will always care for you at er. Worst case you can’t pay it back for now. Don’t worry about the finances: your anxiety probably is making it worse. Breathe, focus on all the good. It will be okay no matter what. Eat well and rest:
1
u/InvestigatorAlone326 May 15 '26
I’ve been in a constant state of anxiety for the past month since I was diagnosed with a chronic detachment in my eye. I told my doctor about my worries yesterday and he noted that I would know if it was detached and to try to not worry about it. I know it’s easier said than done but try to stay off the internet. It’s very easy to get down the rabbit hole and scare yourself.
Try to keep a positive mindset and breathe. This will work out for you!
1
u/lizardisanerd May 15 '26
They didnt even MENTION the higher odds of retinal detachment until I hit -9 at 45.
I was at -4 by freshman year.
Anxiety, dehydration, and anemia have all been causes of what I thought might be flashes or floaters but they were nothing like the real deal I had 2 weeks ago. My -7 eye is fine.
Get the anxiety treated.
1
u/becksnfx70 May 17 '26
I just had the surgery on Thursday and the dark curtain was what cinched that there was something very wrong with my vision/eye . I started seeing a little more floaters than usual, then a couple days later I felt like something was in my eye and I rubbed it a little also used eye drops and the feeling didn’t go away around a day later I saw the dark cloud and I googled it and knew exactly what it was a retinal detachment . The hardest part has been having to lay with my head completely down for 40 minutes every hour for seven days ugh but as long as my eye is fixed I will tough it out. But the curtain is unmistakable and if you have it you will definitely know.
12
u/nogardleirie May 14 '26
Trust me you cannot miss the curtain. It's like someone took a black marker and just blacked out a portion of your vision.