floaters and flashes - Eye & Vision Message Board

somekid · 12-07-2003, 04:20 PM

i see this little tiny black spot on my right eye alot, usually when i look at light/bright stuff, like the color white. its not really big, but i still see it and everytime i try to look at it goes away. i went to some health sites to find out what it is and i found out its a floater. but i also sometimes see little tiny sparks, like bright spots that come and go, like if u look at the sun u see it in ur eye, anyways i sometimes see them, maybe not alot by i see them and i think theyre called flashes. i read about if u have these u could get retina detachment or somethin if not treated and i think that makes u blind and i really hope i dont become blind since im only 15. i also sometimes have twitching and my eyes sometimes hurt as well. does anyone know if my problem is serious?

somekid · 12-07-2003, 05:38 PM

i think theyre sensitive to light since when i look at light they sometimes hurt and theyre also watery. anyone have any advice?

purple2067 · 12-07-2003, 08:24 PM

The best advice I can give you is to ask your parents to take you to an ophthalmologist for a complete eye exam. There is no reason you should be having flashers at the age of 15. If they are sensitive to light, the flashers should go away a minute or two after the bright light has gone away.

somekid · 12-07-2003, 09:22 PM

ok thanx, i already asked them and they said theyre gettin their eyes checked too and theyll bring me with them when they go. maybe im overreacting about this too much, cause i always overreact about little things about my health. anyways, i think i might just have allergies since my eyes get ichy, watery and hurt and i also have a headache. for the flashes, i dont know if they really are flashes, maybe i watch tv and go on the computer too much. i pretty much think i have floater cause i sometimes see a tiny black spot in my eye and it goes away when i try to look at it. is that normal for my age, the floater?

purple2067 · 12-07-2003, 09:37 PM

I am glad your parents are going to take you to the eye dr. I don't think that floaters or flashers are normal for a kid your age. They are not really "normal" for anyone. They are just more common in older people. I am only 23 and I get them, but it is a side effect from an eye medication. My ophthalmologist watches me VERY carefully. The eye dr will probably want to check your intra-ocular pressure and maybe even dilate your eyes. None of it hurts and it is better to be safe than sorry. Floaters and/or flashers are not caused by allergies. However, the itchiness, redness and watering could be caused by allergies. The eye dr can check you out for that too. If you do have allergies a simple drop like Patanol would most likely solve the problem. Be sure to tell the eye dr about all of the symptoms you are experiencing. When I have a lot of things to tell my dr or ask him, I make myself a list.