General Discussion

TexasTowelie

(127,475 posts)

31. I learned about the warning signs when I was in college.

Sun Mar 23, 2014, 01:40 AM

Mar 2014

Back in 1987 I was sent to an ophthalmologist because I was seeing floaters. The ophthalmologist discovered that I have a genetic condition known as a "retinal tag" in my right eye and she recommended laser surgery. This scared me to death of course and laser surgery was a relatively new procedure so I got two more opinions and was advised that the surgery wasn't necessary.

I have been seeing ophthalmologists since then for my regular exams since they need to dilate my eyes to check on that condition. Any blow to the head could cause detachment of the retina. I'm 48 and diabetic so I'm not going to be surprised if something similar happens to me in the future.

For anyone reading this thread it is important to note the differences between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist. If you are relying on vision care from an insurance company, then they will try to persuade you to see the optometrist since it is less expensive. Your vision is valuable, so be insistent and if the insurance company refuses to pay, then be prepared to cover the expense yourself. Spending $100-$200 for an eye exam is a worthwhile investment.

I'm glad that you were able to get the damage repaired before any permanent damage occurred. However, you really need to get back in touch with the optometrist to let him/her know what has happened.

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People over 50 take note - I just had emergency eye surgery [View all] TrogL Mar 2014 OP

glad you're ok and it didn't cost too much, single payer yay ! :) nt steve2470 Mar 2014 #1

Now you have a pre existing condition coldbeer Mar 2014 #71

that's good, I hope she stays healthy ! nt steve2470 Mar 2014 #72

I Think you missed the part Maynar Mar 2014 #77

So glad you caught it in time! Lars39 Mar 2014 #2

Having to cancel your upcoming bout must be tough... pinboy3niner Mar 2014 #3

Same thing happened to me in 1995. djean111 Mar 2014 #4

Excellent info. Thank you. Nt seabeyond Mar 2014 #5

I learn so much on DU. Control-Z Mar 2014 #6

If I were 59 and any doctor said a particular symptom SheilaT Mar 2014 #7

I agree. LuvNewcastle Mar 2014 #59

Exactly. SheilaT Mar 2014 #65

You are so right! That was just an excuse for them to ignore your symptoms. I once was hit by a car DesertDiamond Mar 2014 #88

More common in myopics, just as an FYI. Barack_America Mar 2014 #8

This is very important information. KitSileya Mar 2014 #40

This happened to my father when he was in his late 60s. LumosMaxima Mar 2014 #9

Glad they caught it in time laundry_queen Mar 2014 #10

It doesn't rock if an optometrist in this situation doesn't IMMEDIATELY refer the patient pnwmom Mar 2014 #15

Optometrists in general aren't covered by our health care laundry_queen Mar 2014 #17

So when you said, pnwmom Mar 2014 #23

Oh, generally I'm worried about everything. laundry_queen Mar 2014 #39

Alberta - I've got Blue Cross through my employer TrogL Mar 2014 #35

Okay. Thought so. laundry_queen Mar 2014 #37

Waiting times TrogL Mar 2014 #34

Ah, okay. laundry_queen Mar 2014 #42

I mentioned "detached retina" to the triage nurse so I probably jumped the queue TrogL Mar 2014 #44

Sounds like it. laundry_queen Mar 2014 #46

I'm close to the Alex TrogL Mar 2014 #93

A friend of mine had a vision disturbance that looked like vanlassie Mar 2014 #11

This was terrible, actually. The optometrist SHOULD have sent you to the ophthalmologist IMMEDIATELY, pnwmom Mar 2014 #12

I have to tell you Skittles Mar 2014 #13

What would this have cost in the USA? Loudly Mar 2014 #14

$20K I bet or more nt steve2470 Mar 2014 #20

When this happened to my husband, he was able to get an appointment within a couple hours. pnwmom Mar 2014 #24

(self delete) pnwmom Mar 2014 #26

Glad you got there in time to save your eye, TogL! thanks Cha Mar 2014 #16

My mom had the same condition ... eppur_se_muova Mar 2014 #18

I am so glad you caught it in time to go in to emerg. TxDemChem Mar 2014 #19

Good to hear you are okay PumpkinAle Mar 2014 #21

So happy you survived that horrible healthcare system! Ed Suspicious Mar 2014 #22

glad it worked out for you Liberal_in_LA Mar 2014 #25

I am so glad to hear you're going to be okay. I hope you are completely healed very soon. I almost okaawhatever Mar 2014 #27

A detaching retina is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY -- not a condition that should wait for days pnwmom Mar 2014 #28

After reading the posts here, I am alarmed for my fellow DUers in that it seems no one DebJ Mar 2014 #29

I agree. Optometrists aren't MD's, and they shouldn't be relied on for all eye-care. n/t pnwmom Mar 2014 #30

Vision care plans now make it tough to see an eye doctor that is covered by your health insurance... cascadiance Mar 2014 #66

I learned about the warning signs when I was in college. TexasTowelie Mar 2014 #31

If an insurance company won't pay, try getting a referral from the regular doctor too. n/t DebJ Mar 2014 #32

Also people under 50. My first retina tear happened in my 20's. progressoid Mar 2014 #33

I had severe eye infections jeffrey_pdx Mar 2014 #36

I should add that I'm fine now jeffrey_pdx Mar 2014 #48

Yep. I've been getting a heads up on this for years from the Eye Dr. Warren DeMontague Mar 2014 #38

Can Canada annex the USA for its own safety, and then enact single-payer? Beartracks Mar 2014 #41

The United States of Canada Bernardo de La Paz Mar 2014 #62

Been there ashling Mar 2014 #43

I lost vision in one eye, for 4 hours mokawanis Mar 2014 #45

After 2 laser operations, I asked safeinOhio Mar 2014 #47

Interesting Parallel TrogL ProfessorGAC Mar 2014 #49

Glad to know you got treated, TrogL! Octafish Mar 2014 #50

Rule #1: Opthalmologist over optometrist. WinkyDink Mar 2014 #51

Yall, take note, this is DU at its best! Thanks for posting, Trog. raccoon Mar 2014 #52

Fantastic and informative post! Thank you! PCIntern Mar 2014 #53

"No boxing" - that's awesome! TBF Mar 2014 #54

no no no, you had to wait 37 years for treatment and it was done using a rusty nail. Warren Stupidity Mar 2014 #55

That's why they dilate your eyes Aerows Mar 2014 #56

K&R! We must push for a Canadian style single payer system. Enthusiast Mar 2014 #57

I had cataract surgery on both of my eyes this month. RebelOne Mar 2014 #58

Almost the exact same experience last year. pangaia Mar 2014 #80

If you were only 59 yo you wouldn't have Medicare Doctor_J Mar 2014 #84

Sorry you had to wait so long to have your procedure done after you were diagnosed. A Simple Game Mar 2014 #60

And because of the bupkis Congress WE elected, the the best the President can give us is ACA. marble falls Mar 2014 #61

I had the same thing at about age 57 ...... oldhippie Mar 2014 #63

Awesome that you got fixed (and for little $$) Bigredhunk Mar 2014 #64

When I started reading your OP I thought immediately of a retinal detachment. Cleita Mar 2014 #67

I had a PVD recently. I'm 54. Started seeing little 'floaters'. Triana Mar 2014 #68

Thank you for your post. llmart Mar 2014 #69

Grey vision at the bottom Karia Mar 2014 #70

Need to see an ophthalmologist vs and optimist at first sign riversedge Mar 2014 #73

Yes, exactly Bibliovore Mar 2014 #89

Good reminder -- People, do NOT mess around when it comes to your eyes! Arugula Latte Mar 2014 #74

I had one occasion last year of a lot of floaters Curmudgeoness Mar 2014 #75

hooray for Canadian healthcare! I wish I could say the same for this country secondwind Mar 2014 #76

PVD is common over 50, nearly universal over 65 naturallyselected Mar 2014 #78

Wow, I had no idea an optometrist couldn't detect this Ratty Mar 2014 #79

Whew! Close one. Glad you're ok. I have floaties also, and get a thorough exam once a year. nt Zorra Mar 2014 #81

Save your sight - get an eye exam ramapo Mar 2014 #82

In the USA that would have set you back several thousand dollars... BlackM Mar 2014 #83

But you were supposed to wait 6 months for treatment. obxhead Mar 2014 #85

Mein gott, you had an amazing string of incompetent physicians... DRoseDARs Mar 2014 #86

Maybe it depends on the licensing from state to state, but the optometrists I've seen here hedgehog Mar 2014 #87

OMG...I have floaties too...thanks for the heads up.. HipChick Mar 2014 #90

With universal health insurance now, everyone (over 50) should see an opthamologist frazzled Mar 2014 #91

I had a detached retina in 2012 riverbendviewgal Mar 2014 #92