Hi, I'm new to the board and have been recently having eye problems. I'm a Female, in my 20's, wondering about a procedure used in examing the retina. I had a tear in my retina about a month ago and had it repaired by laser. I have since been making frequent visits to the retina specialist to make sure everything is okay because I keep having flashing lights. I'm wondering if anyone else who's had retina exams knows about the procedure where they press on your eye with a metal object to get a better view of the retina.
I think it's called scleral depression. Well, I'm wondering if this could be harmful to the eye in anyway because each time I have it done it is very uncomftorable and painful and I always feel like they are pressing on my eye really hard. I don't understand how this can't damage the eye. I'm worried that i've had so many of these exams done recently that it could be damaging my eyes. I have tons of floaters when I never had them in my life before. I also have the beginning of a posterior vetrious detachment in my right eye that I developed after I started getting these exams. Could this be caused by them pressing so hard on my eye? I have this in the eye that didn't have the retinal tear so I don't know what could have caused it.
Yesterday I had the exam again and I yelped out in pain from the doctor pressing on my eye so hard and my eye felt sore the rest of the day. I feel queasy just thinking about it. Anyone else who's had this procedure done, did it cause you any discomfort and do you think it could cause damage to the eyes or retina's themselves?
Thanks for taking the time to read this and anyone who has any thoughts I appreciate your response
Hi Tess,
It is fortunate that you discovered your retina tear early and was able to have it repaired to prevent a retinal detachment. Scleral depression (SD) is commonly done especially if the questionable or at risk area is really close to the front (behind the iris surrounding area). They tend to cause a bit of discomfort but I guess it also depends on how gentle or rough handling your OMD is while performing this test.
As for the cause of the retinal tear, do you have very high prescription or did you suffer an injury? It is quite common for us to have floaters, but having had an episode of retinal tear may have increased the amount, or at least they had gotten your full attention so you are aware of them now more than ever. It is unheard of for SD to cause any harms as it has been used widely because it is extremely useful in accessing hidden views of the retina.
If you are not overall happy with your current OMD, may be second opinion should be considered? Hope your eyes will have a full recovery back to normal again.
Hi, I'm new to the board and have been recently having eye problems. I'm a Female, in my 20's, wondering about a procedure used in examing the retina. I had a tear in my retina about a month ago and had it repaired by laser. I have since been making frequent visits to the retina specialist to make sure everything is okay because I keep having flashing lights. I'm wondering if anyone else who's had retina exams knows about the procedure where they press on your eye with a metal object to get a better view of the retina.
I think it's called scleral depression. Well, I'm wondering if this could be harmful to the eye in anyway because each time I have it done it is very uncomftorable and painful and I always feel like they are pressing on my eye really hard. I don't understand how this can't damage the eye. I'm worried that i've had so many of these exams done recently that it could be damaging my eyes. I have tons of floaters when I never had them in my life before. I also have the beginning of a posterior vetrious detachment in my right eye that I developed after I started getting these exams. Could this be caused by them pressing so hard on my eye? I have this in the eye that didn't have the retinal tear so I don't know what could have caused it.
Yesterday I had the exam again and I yelped out in pain from the doctor pressing on my eye so hard and my eye felt sore the rest of the day. I feel queasy just thinking about it. Anyone else who's had this procedure done, did it cause you any discomfort and do you think it could cause damage to the eyes or retina's themselves?
Thanks for taking the time to read this and anyone who has any thoughts I appreciate your response
Hi I am wondering, how are you doing? Last year I had a blunt force trauma to my left eye. Lost some vision and went through many months of procedures to save my sight. About two weeks ago I woke to lots of floaters in my right good eye. I ended up with a tear and had it lasered. About a week later I had another tear and hole in my right eye and a tear in my left. I had those lasered and have lots of black floaters still. I was told I am at risk for more during the next 6-8 weeks.
The worst part was the SD, it hurt like crazy and my eye hurt the entire next day. I felt like I had been kicked but I endured it because it helps them see tears and holes. .
Wondering if anyone else out there has had this happen with repeat holes and tears?
Indeed, the exam you refer to IS or CAN BE EXTREMELY painful. That was certainly my experience. My eye hurt for a day afterwards. Also, I have had a mild headache intermittently behind both eyes since the exam.
I asked the Dr. WHY the exam had to be so painful. No real answer.
I too had sudden increase in floaters, but no detachment, which is the reason I had the exam. Apparently the floater increase is typical when the inner fluid part of the eye separates from the the retina (or something like that). This process is normal and usually completes in about 6 weeks. An age related thing that doesn't harm your vision, (but can increase floaters and can increase risk of retinal tear while it is occuring).
Last edited by johnlewisgrant; 10-14-2012 at 11:01 PM.
