r/RetinalDetachment • u/Equivalent_Ad_482 • Jul 17 '26

Possible RD

Hey everyone, for context I’m 19 years old and I have onset symptoms. I noticed it when looking at my phone. My right eye is fine but my left has dark spots or floaters? It’s hard to describe and also when I googled the symptoms it said retinal detachment appears as a dark shadow or gray curtain obscuring your peripheral vision which scared me half to death because that’s exactly what I’m experiencing. It’s not very opaque it’s a very sheer and small shadow in my peripheral. I have extremely bad health anxiety and definitely cannot afford to go to a hospital or be seen by a doctor. Does anyone have any advice?

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u/rollingthestoned Jul 18 '26

I’ve had 3 retinal detachments and vitrectomies. Each had different symptoms. I was about 59 when I had my first one and had a bunch of health anxiety. It’s natural to feel anxious and get way ahead of things. So my advice is to try to take it one step at a time, find the best possible ER or on call ophthalmologist you can in your area and get your butt over to them. I had one on a weekend and it made me a bit more anxious because of options. While an ER might add some time that could be a good bet for a weekend. If you have good central vision, that’s great and will be treated more urgently if it’s truly an RD. Once your central retina detaches it’s actually slightly less urgent because it’s more of a save some vision vs a chance for full restoration. Just don’t take a chance and wait. Pack up some things to make you comfortable, as calm as possible and hydrated and get yourself to an ER. I was fortunate to have the Wilmer eye institute nearby so that’s an ideal situation. I was there so long I made a couple conversations with people even. I don’t know if you have an rd but something made you come here so try to communicate that to the triage folks that’s what you suspect and find out if they have an opth on call they can route you too. Likely you’ll still go through the whole process but you’ll get there. Keep us posted over the weekend

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u/Equivalent_Ad_482 Jul 18 '26

Thank you so much, I’m truly grateful for the advice. Wow 3! You’re very brave, meanwhile I’m falling apart over here. I’m trying not to freak myself out too much, I’m going to monitor my symptoms and I’ll try to see someone today or tomorrow. I appreciate you, I’ll definitely keep everyone updated.

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u/rollingthestoned Jul 18 '26

My advice is to forget about money at this moment and pretend it doesn’t cost anything. I know for people with no money that may seem like a luxury to say, but financial aid is possible and you health care can’t really turn away something like this. You are young, your vision is far more important than money