Eliza1853
21-03-18, 19:32
I posted last week about my vision-related concerns. I'm still having all the same concerns as before, but focusing now more on my floaters. At any given time I have somewhere between none and a lot. I know it's normal to have a few here and there, but what worries me is that I often see a cluster of floaters on the very periphery of my visual field in my right eye. I couldn't say exactly how many, but, a cluster- several. I also have, I'd say, four or five that come and go pretty regularly in each eye aside from this cluster.
I saw an optometrist a few months ago and can't decide whether or not to see an ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist could do more tests- I've read online that peripheral retinal tears are often missed in dilated eye exams and require a specific test (that my optometrist didn't do). I'm afraid to make an appointment because if a retinal tear is found and treated... yes, that would probably be a good thing, because treatments for retinal tears are far easier, quicker, and less expensive than treatments for retinal detachments (and 50% of retinal tears lead to retinal detachment). But I read somewhere that in a small percentage of cases treating retinal tears actually leads to complications. So what if a retinal tear is found and treated and problems develop, whereas if I'd left it alone I might've been one of the 50% (assuming I do have a tear) who ends up being fine?
EDIT: I've come pretty far in my HA. Nowadays I decide whether or not to make an appointment, and then (if no appointment) try not to worry (mindfulness, etc.) until the concern passes or (if appointment) believe the doctor and then move on. So the only part when I'm anxious is when I assess the situation to determine whether or not an appointment is necessary. The problem here is that I don't know whether or not I'm still in the 'legitimate assessment' stage or whether a non-HA person would just decide the optometrist appointment was enough and move on.
I saw an optometrist a few months ago and can't decide whether or not to see an ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist could do more tests- I've read online that peripheral retinal tears are often missed in dilated eye exams and require a specific test (that my optometrist didn't do). I'm afraid to make an appointment because if a retinal tear is found and treated... yes, that would probably be a good thing, because treatments for retinal tears are far easier, quicker, and less expensive than treatments for retinal detachments (and 50% of retinal tears lead to retinal detachment). But I read somewhere that in a small percentage of cases treating retinal tears actually leads to complications. So what if a retinal tear is found and treated and problems develop, whereas if I'd left it alone I might've been one of the 50% (assuming I do have a tear) who ends up being fine?
EDIT: I've come pretty far in my HA. Nowadays I decide whether or not to make an appointment, and then (if no appointment) try not to worry (mindfulness, etc.) until the concern passes or (if appointment) believe the doctor and then move on. So the only part when I'm anxious is when I assess the situation to determine whether or not an appointment is necessary. The problem here is that I don't know whether or not I'm still in the 'legitimate assessment' stage or whether a non-HA person would just decide the optometrist appointment was enough and move on.