Black crescent in peripheral vision - optometrist or opthamologist?

[NikitaZee]

My husband has been seeing a black crescent or letter C, along with a small black dot in the peripheral vision of his right eye, for about a week now. I've been looking into it and am seeing things from floaters to retinal tears. I'm going to make him an appt for tomorrow to have it looked at - can an optometrist diagnose something like this? Thanks!

 

[Planogirl]

An optometrist can see certain conditions but he might have to refer your DH to an ophthalmologist. I would just go directly to an ophthalmologist if it was me.

I hope that it's no big deal!

 

[lovesmurfs]

My husband has been seeing a black crescent or letter C, along with a small black dot in the peripheral vision of his right eye, for about a week now. I've been looking into it and am seeing things from floaters to retinal tears. I'm going to make him an appt for tomorrow to have it looked at - can an optometrist diagnose something like this? Thanks!

If your husband is having problems, I would see if he could get referred straight to an ophthalmologist, who is a medical doctor. Optometrists aren't physicians, and I'm not sure I would want to fool around with something like what you describe.

 

[abdmom]

Optometrists are trained to prescribe eyeglass prescriptions and to recognize, but not treat, common eye disorders. As previous posters said, go straight to the ophthalmologist.

 

[KristaTX]

If he can't get into an ophthalmologist tomorrow, find an optometrist that he can get into tomorrow, or today if you can find one open. It is almost always possible to get into an optometrist somewhere on the same day. If you have an optometrist or ophthalmologist already, call and explain the situation and they'll probably have him come right in.

The optometrist will probably be able to get him into an ophthalmologist right away as an emergency case if he/she finds something concerning with the eye.

This could be something very serious, or it could just be something not so serious like floaters. But it's the eyes, and I assume it has come on suddenly (a week ago). If it were me, I'd have already had it checked out.

 

[Sadie22]

Changes to vision are an emergency situation.

 

[Disney Doll]

Call an opthalmologist immediately. Tell them that this is an acute change in vision. It is an emergency situation and I am guessing that you will be seen immediately. If not, go to an Emergency Room.

 

[Green Tea]

I agree. EMERGENCY situation. If an ophthalmologist can not see him immediately, go to the ER. This sounds like a detaching retina.

 

[NikitaZee]

Well I had him call an ophthalmologist's office himself so he could describe his symptoms. He's also seeing a flashing light near the black spot - the lady he spoke with at the office scheduled him for 2pm tomorrow and told him to go to the ER if he notices a black 'curtain' effect in that eye, or if he 'feels he should be seen immediately', although I'm not really certain what that last bit means. So I guess we find out tomorrow.

 

[sam_gordon]

Well I had him call an ophthalmologist himself so he could describe his symptoms. He's also seeing a flashing light near the black spot - the lady at the office scheduled him for 2pm tomorrow and told him to go to the ER if he notices a black 'curtain' effect in that eye, or if he 'feels he should be seen immediately'. So I guess it's tomorrow.

About 6-8 months ago, I had 'floaters', and also a 'flashing' when I looked to my right peripheral. That scared me and I went to the eye doctor (not sure which version). I was told both were normal and my brain would "normalize" in a couple weeks. That's exactly what happened.

I don't say this to have your DH not go to the doctor, but to maybe give you two some peace of mind.

I'm in my early 40's BTW.

 

[mommymeg]

This sounds kinda like a retinal detachment. If you are anywhere near an eye hospital, I would go sooner rather than later. My daughter had a detachment occur when she was 5 but didn't inform us of any visual changes until it was too late. She is completely blind in that eye now and the eye is shrinking because it is useless. She also had ha detachment in her good eye that required surgery and a long recovery. Any visual changes should always be addressed immediately. Good luck.

 

[NikitaZee]

About 6-8 months ago, I had 'floaters', and also a 'flashing' when I looked to my right peripheral. That scared me and I went to the eye doctor (not sure which version). I was told both were normal and my brain would "normalize" in a couple weeks. That's exactly what happened.

I don't say this to have your DH not go to the doctor, but to maybe give you two some peace of mind.

I'm in my early 40's BTW.

Thank you. My husband is 42, I hope he hears what you did. My dad told me this afternoon that he had the same thing happen and it luckily turned out to be floaters.

This sounds kinda like a retinal detachment. If you are anywhere near an eye hospital, I would go sooner rather than later. My daughter had a detachment occur when she was 5 but didn't inform us of any visual changes until it was too late. She is completely blind in that eye now and the eye is shrinking because it is useless. She also had ha detachment in her good eye that required surgery and a long recovery. Any visual changes should always be addressed immediately. Good luck.

Thank you for your input, I'm sorry about what happened to your daughter's eyesight.

 

[720L]

NikitaZee---what happened at the eye Dr?? I see the same thing once in a while, mentioned it to my eye Dr, and he couldn't find anything wrong.

 

[KristaTX]

Yes, what happened? Is he okay?

 

[NikitaZee]

Sorry for not getting back sooner! Yes he's okay - he has a pvd (posterior vitreous detachment) in his right eye, causing floaters. The doctor said they won't go away, but his brain will 'learn how to ignore them'. Also there's a tiny area of concern that he wants to re-check in two weeks - no retinal tear, but he wants to make sure this area resolves itself and doesn't turn into a tear. He has to go back immediately if he sees an increase in flashing lights, many new floaters, or a black shadow or cobweb effect covering the outer part of his peripheral vision.
Thanks everyone for your responses and concern. An opthamologist was absolutely the best kind of doctor to see in this kind of situation.

 

[indimom]

Sorry for not getting back sooner! Yes he's okay - he has a pvd (posterior vitreous detachment) in his right eye, causing floaters. The doctor said they won't go away, but his brain will 'learn how to ignore them'. Also there's a tiny area of concern that he wants to re-check in two weeks - no retinal tear, but he wants to make sure this area resolves itself and doesn't turn into a tear. He has to go back immediately if he sees an increase in flashing lights, many new floaters, or a black shadow or cobweb effect covering the outer part of his peripheral vision.
Thanks everyone for your responses and concern. An opthamologist was absolutely the best kind of doctor to see in this kind of situation.

Glad it was nothing serious!