Torn retina

[Ritchie]

Some years back, I started seeing flashes of light whenever I moved my eyes. Since I have always been fairly nearsighted, I had this checked most immediate. Not detachment of the retina, but age related "settling" of the inner eye filling goo. The doc said recoil was probably not an outstanding hazard, but this is what put me onto the AR-15, of which I now have "some", and led me to put a pistol grip on the 870. Exciting!

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

Am I wrong that the "poof of air" test and not as "good" of a test as the other? I thought it was a pressure test but not sure.

I can't say for sure whether one is better than the other; they both measure the inside pressure, and I have personally never had doubts of either one. The advantage, if you will, of the poof test is that there is no contact with your cornea (the clear, front of the eye), eliminating one source of cross-contamination, e.g., if the patient before you has an infection and the contact measuring gauge is not fully disinfected, there is a good chance that you would contract that infection via contact with the gauge...I prefer the poof test.

Sam

 

[exbrit49]

Inner eye pressure (the poof test) as performed by your optician is testing for Glaucoma only, It is NOT a test for retinal detachment. I will remake my original statement. If you see bright flashes in one eye, get to an eye specialist as soon as you can. and I do mean ASAP. Loss of vision can and probably will occur if not treated quickly.
In 98% of cases a Laser is used to reattach the retina and although they do numb the eye, it starts to sting after several hundred laser zaps. One of the larger detachments I went through took almost 500 zaps, NOT FUN!
PLEASE DON'T IGNORE THE SIGNS OF RETINAL DETACHMENT. BE SMART AND GET HELP FAST!

 

[gary0529]

Had my retinal tear at age 65- near sightedness IS a contributing factor along with a host of others. No shooting was involved with the tear as I had not fired a rifle of any caliber in the prior 3 months, however, I do know that flashes of light is a big warning sign and I was in the retinal specialists chair being laser spot welded within one hour of the phone call to his office. Specifically asked if I can continue to shoot and was told yes. Have had extensive (and intensive) follow up every 6 months since-has been 5 years now- and no changes or new tears but I am continually reminded that because of the shape of my eye and retina I am at an increased risk of both tears and glaucoma.
The take away message here is this-----If you are having flashes of light get yourself to the eye doctor-not optometrist but ophthalmologist or retinal specialist or at least the ER ASAP. Your eyes are not like your liver and cannot regenerate if damaged.
There is still much to see in this world and you need your eyes to do so.

Gary

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

[QUOTE="exbrit49, post: 10600418...If you see bright flashes in one eye, get to an eye specialist as soon as you can. and I do mean ASAP. Loss of vision can and probably will occur if not treated quickly....PLEASE DON'T IGNORE THE SIGNS OF RETINAL DETACHMENT. BE SMART AND GET HELP FAST![/QUOTE]

I meant to expand on this previously; sometimes the "bright flashes" are...not... what they sound like-sometimes it can be a little shimmering at the edge of your vision; other times it can seem like a rapid-fire camera shutter for 2-3 seconds-this is the vitreous humor (the 'gel' inside the eye) tugging on the retina. Another sign is a dramatic increase of floaters - so much so that is seems like there's a ton of squiggly worms inside of the eye, with no other symptoms i.e., pain, flashes, etc. This is an indication of a tear and blood is leaking in to the eye.

As exbrit49 has stated: Don't ignore the signs.
As I have previously stated; if you are at risk, shooting heavy recoiling rifles or shotguns is not in your best interests.

Sam

 

[Mike OTDP]

If you're over 40 or so, you really need an annual eye exam anyway...and a dedicated pair of shooting glasses if you're in the precision disciplines. I suffer from both nearsightedness and ocular hypertension, so I'm seeing an eye doctor three times a year. Cataract surgery on the left eye next year...or earlier, it's damn near useless right now.

 

[exbrit49]

This has been a great thread and has provided a better idea of what a torn retina can do. It has described the symptoms very well.
Hopefully the info will assist someone that suffers a torn retina and that they get the medical attention they need.
Happy trails and shooting to all.

 

[fpgt72]

I can't say for sure whether one is better than the other; they both measure the inside pressure, and I have personally never had doubts of either one. The advantage, if you will, of the poof test is that there is no contact with your cornea (the clear, front of the eye), eliminating one source of cross-contamination, e.g., if the patient before you has an infection and the contact measuring gauge is not fully disinfected, there is a good chance that you would contract that infection via contact with the gauge...I prefer the poof test.

Sam

I just remember a little while ago that I learned the difference between an Optometrist and Ophthalmologist (yea I had to have google help with the spelling of that mess)....and the guy I go to...and he could be just selling his stuff, said that the little blue light on your eyeball is more accurate over the poof of air you usually find at the mall. This is the guy that also shot the laser into my wife's eye, she had a plugged drain in her eye....I learned quite a bit...but from one source.