#1 ·
I’m hoping maybe a doctor or an ophthalmologist on this forum could weigh in here.
Also, if anyone else has dealt with similar retinal issues, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences.
So, I went for a private eye exam today at the Optic Center. The younger doctor did a really thorough check of my peripheral retina—using dilated pupils, of course—since I had a retinal tear in my left eye and underwent argon laser treatment about a year and a half ago. He mentioned that the previously treated area seems to be holding up well. However, looking at today's findings, there are two areas of laser treatment on the periphery of my left retina at the 12 and 1 o'clock positions, but near the bottom periphery, it notes some threatening hyperpigmented degeneration. On top of that, he emphasized how important regular checkups are for me, suggesting every six months or sooner if needed. Once I stepped out after the exam, I noticed that note about the threatening hyperpigmented degeneration on my report. I didn't actually ask the doctor about it, and he didn't bring it up himself. My pupils were fully dilated, so I assume he probably saw this potential new degeneration clearly. Looking back at my old records from June 2010 and October 2010 (from when I saw a retina specialist), there was absolutely no mention of any hyperpigmented degeneration in the lower part of my left retina. Just to clarify, of those two laser-treated spots in my left eye, one is by the tear and the other is near where there was lattice degeneration—basically, near two small holes in the retina. So, I guess I'm wondering if I might need more laser photocoagulation because of this newly detected degeneration in the lower retina.
I’m feeling a little anxious about this new degeneration they found in the lower part of my retina. I’m not sure if I should try to see a retina specialist sooner, because my next scheduled annual follow-up at the Laser Lab isn't until early June 2011. This month, I've noticed some light flashes in my left eye a few times, though it usually happens in the evening when I move from a lit room into a dark hallway. Back when I had that tear a year and a half ago, it felt more like flashes of light inside a brown patch that appeared in front of my left eye; that only happened once a day (not at night) and lasted quite a while, maybe five minutes.
Also, if anyone else has dealt with similar retinal issues, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences.
So, I went for a private eye exam today at the Optic Center. The younger doctor did a really thorough check of my peripheral retina—using dilated pupils, of course—since I had a retinal tear in my left eye and underwent argon laser treatment about a year and a half ago. He mentioned that the previously treated area seems to be holding up well. However, looking at today's findings, there are two areas of laser treatment on the periphery of my left retina at the 12 and 1 o'clock positions, but near the bottom periphery, it notes some threatening hyperpigmented degeneration. On top of that, he emphasized how important regular checkups are for me, suggesting every six months or sooner if needed. Once I stepped out after the exam, I noticed that note about the threatening hyperpigmented degeneration on my report. I didn't actually ask the doctor about it, and he didn't bring it up himself. My pupils were fully dilated, so I assume he probably saw this potential new degeneration clearly. Looking back at my old records from June 2010 and October 2010 (from when I saw a retina specialist), there was absolutely no mention of any hyperpigmented degeneration in the lower part of my left retina. Just to clarify, of those two laser-treated spots in my left eye, one is by the tear and the other is near where there was lattice degeneration—basically, near two small holes in the retina. So, I guess I'm wondering if I might need more laser photocoagulation because of this newly detected degeneration in the lower retina.
I’m feeling a little anxious about this new degeneration they found in the lower part of my retina. I’m not sure if I should try to see a retina specialist sooner, because my next scheduled annual follow-up at the Laser Lab isn't until early June 2011. This month, I've noticed some light flashes in my left eye a few times, though it usually happens in the evening when I move from a lit room into a dark hallway. Back when I had that tear a year and a half ago, it felt more like flashes of light inside a brown patch that appeared in front of my left eye; that only happened once a day (not at night) and lasted quite a while, maybe five minutes.