Weird eye problems?!
Question: I started having strange visual problems about two years ago, and I think they've been getting worse lately:
-When focusing on an object I often get this relatively small flickering area to the left of center in my vision, and it's always in the same spot. It's only in my left eye
-When I try focusing on something with my left eye alone, like a spot on a wall, the image can become wavy like liquid.
-Looking in a mirror at the iris of the left eye, it looks wobbly when I change the focus within the eye itself.
- I've started having tons of floaters in the vision of the left eye alone, and also lots of what look like many tiny flashing lights at random times, more noticeable when it's dark.
I acknowledge these are fairly vague symptoms, but I hope some eye doctor browses this forum and might have some notion of the cause of this problem.
Answers: I started having strange visual problems about two years ago, and I think they've been getting worse lately:
-When focusing on an object I often get this relatively small flickering area to the left of center in my vision, and it's always in the same spot. It's only in my left eye
-When I try focusing on something with my left eye alone, like a spot on a wall, the image can become wavy like liquid.
-Looking in a mirror at the iris of the left eye, it looks wobbly when I change the focus within the eye itself.
- I've started having tons of floaters in the vision of the left eye alone, and also lots of what look like many tiny flashing lights at random times, more noticeable when it's dark.
I acknowledge these are fairly vague symptoms, but I hope some eye doctor browses this forum and might have some notion of the cause of this problem.
The flashing lights and floaters may be vitreous detachment. You would want an opthalmalogist to check this to make sure your retina doesn't rip. I had this happen a few years ago, no rip and no long term problems from it.
The iris wobbling could be just because of the way light is reflecting off the mirror and the iris is trying to adjust quickly to the changes. IF you start having a very red eye or pain, it could be the iris is spasming (called Iritis). The opthal can prescribe dilating drops that will make the pain stop.
The wavy spot and flickering light is very concerning to me. While it could be macular degeneration, leaking blood vessel, it could also be Uveitis. Uveitis can be associated with all the floaters too. An opthalmalogist will be able to tell very quickly by looking into your eyes.
You only have one set of eyes, please get them check as soon as you can. Somethings if left too long will require more drastic things to fix them. Best of luck.
Dark and light spots, flashes, and waviness in your field of vision may be signs of retinal disease, including retinal detachment. Since you say it started two years ago, it doesn't sound like an emergency, but you should still see an ophthalmologist (not an optometrist) as soon as possible. He'll need to take a look at your retina and see if there's anything wrong with it. It's important to catch retinal problems and treat them promptly, because if the retina comes loose or is permanently damaged, you'll end up with a permanent dark spot wherever the damage occurred.
the wavy vision is called metamorphosia. seeing flosters and flashes, this is a dangerous sign of a macular problem. and since it is near the centre it is even more risky.
it also depends on your age. the symptoms you describe seems to me like age-related macular degeneration. 2 years is a pretty long time. but if it has gotten worse lately you should consult an ophthalmologist/optometrist ASAP! seeing metamorphosia is no small matter!
these are no vague symptoms