What is retinal detachment?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am an 18-year-old with a myopia of -5.25D in both eyes. I see three to four floaters. I recently got a dilated retinal test and everything was normal. 18,19 eye pressure.

I have mentioned all my symptoms below.

When I blink at night, I see the small arc of light and I see the circle move out simultaneously with the eye opening.

At night while watching a white wall from one side, I see some black spots that vanish when I look directly.
Upon seeing the small night lamp in my next room from one side, I see black lines (like dark floaters) and some lights blinking which vanish on looking directly.
During the day everything seems to be shaking and the lights seem to be blinking.
A month ago, I saw small comma-shaped black lines with some colors in them and they vanished in seconds and did not appear again. I remember bending my head down and suddenly noticing them when I looked up.

I would like to know if retinal detachment is rare and if it can be treated. What is the success rate of the treatment? In how many days will my normal vision return, and what are the warning signs I should note?

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

Based on your description and the results of your recent dilated retinal exam, it is unlikely that you have a serious eye condition such as a detached retina. However, I recommend scheduling a follow-up appointment with your eye doctor to discuss your symptoms in more detail and ensure that everything looks normal.

1. The small arc of light you see when you blink at night is likely due to light reflecting off the back of your eye as it adjusts to the dark. This is a common experience, especially in low-light conditions.

2. The black spots you see on a white wall at night may be due to shadows cast by blood vessels in your eye or floaters. These are also common and should not be a cause for concern.

3. The black lines you see at night when looking at a small night light from the side may be due to shadows cast by blood vessels or floaters, as mentioned earlier. Again, these are common and should not be a cause for concern.

4. The shaking sensation and blinking lights you experience during the day could be due to eye fatigue or strain, which is common in people with high myopia like yourself. I recommend taking breaks from close work and blinking frequently to help alleviate any discomfort.

5. Retinal detachment is a serious eye condition that requires prompt medical attention. While surgery can be effective in treating retinal detachment, the success rate depends on various factors, such as the size and location of the detachment. Your eye doctor can provide more information about the risks and benefits of surgery if needed.

6. Some warning signs of a serious eye condition include sudden flashes of light, sudden loss of vision, sudden increase in floaters, or a curtain-like shadow over your visual field. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention right away.

7. The comma-shaped lines you saw a month ago could have been an optical illusion or a transient visual phenomenon called phantomopia, which is common in people with high myopia like yourself. These experiences are usually harmless and should not be a cause for concern unless they persist or become more frequent.

Kindly consult a specialist for clinical examination and guidance on phantomopia and its treatment.

I hope this information will help you.

Thank you.

What is retinal detachment?

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