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Suggest Treatment For Retinal Detachment
Question: An opthamology question--For the past two days, if I turn my head quickly to the left, I see in my left eye a quick flash of a what looks like a silver left parentheses bracket in the left side of my eye. The "bracket" appears to be from the top of my field of vision to the bottom of it-- the height of my eye. Is this something to be concerned about?
Brief Answer:
Symptoms suggestive of retinal detachment.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic,
Painless flashes on light in the visual field like a curtain falling from top to bottom is very characteristic of retinal detachment.
I suggest you to consult an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
An eye examination is required to assess the cause of such flashes.
Management can be planned after diagnosis of the condition.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Symptoms suggestive of retinal detachment.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic,
Painless flashes on light in the visual field like a curtain falling from top to bottom is very characteristic of retinal detachment.
I suggest you to consult an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
An eye examination is required to assess the cause of such flashes.
Management can be planned after diagnosis of the condition.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Thank you for your quick response, Dr. Wahal.
The beginning of a retinal detachment is what I suspected.
I realize that a complete retinal detachment is an emergency situation.
1. How urgent is it at this "flash of light" stage?
2. When you say "consult an ophthalmologist as soon as possible", would Monday or Tuesday be soon enough?
3. Is there anything I should do or not do until I see the ophthalmologist?
Thanks, XXXXXXX
The beginning of a retinal detachment is what I suspected.
I realize that a complete retinal detachment is an emergency situation.
1. How urgent is it at this "flash of light" stage?
2. When you say "consult an ophthalmologist as soon as possible", would Monday or Tuesday be soon enough?
3. Is there anything I should do or not do until I see the ophthalmologist?
Thanks, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Partial retinal detachment suspected.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
Yes, retinal detachment is an emergency.
Complete retinal detachment leads to complete visual loos of that eye.
'Flashes of light' is equally serious because one has not to wait till entire retina is detached.
Consulting your doctor on Monday or Tuesday will be reasonably alright.
The only thing you can do is to prevent any kind of sudden motion of head.
I hope all your queries are addressed.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Partial retinal detachment suspected.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
Yes, retinal detachment is an emergency.
Complete retinal detachment leads to complete visual loos of that eye.
'Flashes of light' is equally serious because one has not to wait till entire retina is detached.
Consulting your doctor on Monday or Tuesday will be reasonably alright.
The only thing you can do is to prevent any kind of sudden motion of head.
I hope all your queries are addressed.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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