I've heard people talk about "floaters" for some time. I always thought they were talking about the little see-through spots that you occasionally see crossing your eye that are about the size of a pin-head or less. I was wrong.
Monday, I got my first floater. I thought there was a fly buzzing around me while I was getting dressed, but I realized that the fly moved in the same direction my right eye moved. I did some research at the computer to pin down what was happening, and then made a call to the optometrist. The receptionist confirmed my suspicions, and told me that I didn't need to see the doctor unless I began to get flashes of light inside my eye.
I passed on seeing the doc, and Monday evening I began seeing those flashes.
I've been a bit scared about all of this, but my eye doctor is really superb. The nurse took "pictures" of the back of the interior of my eye, and Doc K. showed them to me. My eye is just aging. The vitreous sac is partially detached from the wall of my eye, and a change in the consistency of the contents has caused the floater. Doc says I should be able to see well, and that the floater might possibly sink, in time. The flashes I have seen are due to the vitreous sac bouncing off the back of the eye, when I change positions. When I sit up, and then stand up, in the morning, or if I bend over to tie my shoe, I'll see them.
Should the flashes come more frequently, or if I develop a black spot in my vision, I need to see Doc K. again, but otherwise, it's business as usual.
I'm not delighted with the changes in my body as I age, but Dear Husband has a point when he says the alternative (not aging) is not too pretty . Elegante Mother has a sweatshirt that says "Old Age is NOT for SISSIES!" I guess I better buck up!
Comments (9)
I don't think any of us are crazy about all the little changes that come along with the territory of aging Buffy. I know I'm not. I'm not the best preventative person to begin with. I've always told my kids...."I'm not going to be a good old person." Thank God I choose to laugh a lot of this stuff off. It's the only way I know how to deal with it.
Posted by Joy | September 26, 2007 9:33 PM
Posted on September 26, 2007 21:33
Joy, I KNOW that you are right. Humor is the only way to deal with aging. I'd much rather smile than frown, and I can apply that attitude to my whole life.
I'm delighted each morning that I wake up. It means I have another chance to get things right! *G*
Posted by buffy | September 27, 2007 8:43 AM
Posted on September 27, 2007 08:43
I'm sorry that you've joined the community of those with floaters, Buffy; but, I'm glad that you didn't develop floaters at an earlier age--as many have done. Deterioration of one's eyes, at any age, can be scary! Hang in there.
Posted by Cop Car | September 27, 2007 9:58 AM
Posted on September 27, 2007 09:58
It's odd how you don't realise that time and age is catching up on you gradually but by leaps and bounds. I get the odd floater and they can be very irritating and distracting. But your man seems a good one and knows what he is doing. I don't envy you having a picture of the back of your eye - I hate this because my eyes are very photosensitive to light and I find the flashes positively painful. I hope you didn't find this.
Posted by Adele | September 28, 2007 3:36 AM
Posted on September 28, 2007 03:36
ok this is something i'm not looking forward to....
Posted by bod | September 28, 2007 10:11 AM
Posted on September 28, 2007 10:11
Joy,
I'm not very good at some of the preventative stuff, either. I desperately need to get into the habit of slathering my body with lotion each day, and I need to be sure to take my 2:00 pills. On the other hand, I do go to exercise, and I have regular checkups, and I leave my computer regularly. As for the floaters, there was nothing I could do to prevent them. If you're gonna get them, you get them. Those of us who are nearsighted, are more likely to have floaters, as are people who have had cataract surgery.
Posted by buffy | September 29, 2007 8:50 AM
Posted on September 29, 2007 08:50
Cop Car,
I was very lucky. My doc said that floaters appear usually between the ages of 40 and 60 for most of us. I almost made it out of that range before mine appeared, and I consider myself fortunate to have had almost 60 years of clear vision. I can still see well, but the possibility of imperfect vision looms, and it IS scary!
Posted by buffy | September 29, 2007 8:54 AM
Posted on September 29, 2007 08:54
Adele, "leaps and bounds" is right. I'm fortunate to have a really progressive eye doctor. His explanation of the situation was detailed enough to put me at ease. I know he will guide me through whatever is to come.
As for the "picture" of the interior of my eye, it was painless for me, but I can see where you would dread it. When I see the doc next, I'll try to remember to ask how they deal with that.
Posted by buffy | September 29, 2007 8:56 AM
Posted on September 29, 2007 08:56
Bod, isn't it awful to discover things that could happen to you? I've watched my older friends at exercise, and cataloged infirmities, but I never though about eyes until this week. It's possible that you may age without ever experiencing this. Here's hoping!
Posted by buffy | September 29, 2007 8:59 AM
Posted on September 29, 2007 08:59