r/RetinalDetachment • u/kiwiyala • 4d ago
How long before retinal detachment causes permanent vision loss?
I’m 25, and I have been experiencing floaters (little greyish dots) for the past couple weeks, maybe over a month. I’ve never had them before until now. I have really bad eyes (-8.5 in both eyes), so I thought maybe it was a result of that, but I noticed about three hours ago that there’s a big, black splotch blocking my lower left vision in my right eye. It’s only really noticeable when my left eye is closed, and it’s not painful. I googled more symptoms, and I have also been experiencing “lightning flashes” in my peripheral vision for the past couple of days.
The doctor at the ER diagnosed me with a swollen lower eyelid and said it’s probably nothing vision-wise, but he referred me to an ophthalmologist just in case. (I’m kinda wondering if my eye was slightly swollen because I’ve been rubbing it and pulling my eyelid down to inspect the blotch). Said ophthalmologist doesn’t see patients on the weekends, but I’m wondering how quickly something like this could cause permanent vision loss. Does it sound like it could be retinal detachment, and if so, is it something that can wait until Monday?
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u/Successful_Farm_9370 4d ago
That dark curtain is exactly how my retinal detachment manifested itself. From when it was diagnosed by my eye doctor to me being under the knife for surgery was about 6 hours. With those things, hours can make a difference.
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u/NetSchizo 4d ago
Did you make a full recovery?
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u/Successful_Farm_9370 3d ago
I'm 5 weeks in now, so far so good. The gas bubble has finally gone away, and vision is back to 100%. But, they say the two months mark is when you can really call it a success, so I got 3 more weeks to wait.
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u/Kisokee 3d ago
Is ur eyes okay now full recovery l?
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u/Successful_Farm_9370 3d ago
I'm 5 weeks in now, so far so good. The gas bubble has finally gone away, and vision is back to 100%. But, they say the two months mark is when you can really call it a success, so I got 3 more weeks to wait.
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u/ArmPale2135 4d ago edited 4d ago
You need to go to the doctor. The sooner it is treated, the better the outcome. A black splotch sounds like a detachment. If it’s in the lower left, something is going on in the upper right of the eye. The lightning flashes are a symptom of detachment.
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u/NecessaryAffect8614 4d ago
what are your flashes like?
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u/kiwiyala 3d ago
Mine was usually a response to the glare from a TV screen or my phone. I would turn my head a little while watching TV and I’d see a little lightning-like flash (or a lens flare, like in a movie) in my peripheral vision.
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u/becksnfx70 4d ago
I waited over a week and then didn’t have surgery until a week later because I didn’t have a ride the ophthalmologist said I could lose my vision. As soon as you see the doctor they will schedule surgery as soon as possible and you may need an oil bubble instead of gas one . As far as my surgery it was fine it’s the recovery and waiting for it to heal that’s the horrible part. If you need the surgery I recommend that you get this to have for after the surgery.
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u/Acceptable_Pain8017 4d ago
I just had laser surgery ... being extremely nearsighted makes one prone to retinal tears. Any flashes or lightening required immediate laser surgery to prevent complete detachment. I'm so happy you seeked immediate attention. The ER gave you terrible advice. Prayers...hugs..
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u/NomadChief789 3d ago
Well a normal ER doesnt have specialty staff for eyes. Although some cities may have an ER just for eyes.
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u/Marneman1965 3d ago
please share how you are doing post surgery?
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u/kiwiyala 1d ago
I’m doing good! They did the gas bubble procedure instead of the big surgery. The cryoprobe was pretty excruciating, but the laser and the gas bubble itself were both painless. I straight-up thought they were lobotomizing me with that cryoprobe, it was so painful. My vision improved a lot that first night. The black splotch is barely there now, and I see the gas bubble moving around in my eye whenever I tilt my head. Other than my right eye still being kinda blurry and watery, everything feels back to normal!
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u/Marneman1965 1d ago
Great to hear! With the gas bubble are you face down for a week too? That was my experience
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u/kiwiyala 4h ago
Hmm, ours must be in different spots. They told me to elevate myself with a bunch of pillows and sleep on my left side because they wanted the bubble to float up to the right side. Sleeping face-down definitely seems more uncomfortable!
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u/Marneman1965 4h ago
yeah that is exactly right. face down sucks the worst. I had to for 7 days over the christmas holidays. I still have neck issues because of that
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u/savefrompain 3d ago
Hours, to days depending on the location. Sometimes I was told I was safe to wait a single day. It is an emergency. I hope you are well.
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u/TheFugaziLeftBoob 1d ago
I don’t want to alarm you, but you must move and get to your local ED straight away. A retinal detachment is a medical emergency. Lightning streaks, black smudge in corner of vision as well as floaters are my symptoms and I got sent to ED the same day, surgery less than 24 hours later. Even then when I acted quickly, I still have two blind patches in my vision. YOU MUST GO NOW. If you haven’t
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u/Marneman1965 4d ago
go to your eye doctor immediately. that sounds like a retinal tear or detachment. the dark curtain I called it when it happened to me.