Quote from: Laurie on July 23, 2017, 06:32:31 PM
  This is simply not true. He was a fool. And yes an ER would have know what was wrong and could have been able to get him the help he needed to save his sight.  How do I know this? Because I had the same happen to me. I looked up the symptoms online and found out it could be serious. I immediately call the hospital and was in to see someone that day. I had a tear in my retina the could have led to detachment had the not used a laser to seal the edges down so it did not get worse.  The symptoms of retina tears is well known and require immediate attention.
  If you see a bright flash and notice crap floating in you sight that was not already there, then get your tail into see a doctor.  In my case I don't remember the flash but I did suddenly have what appeared to be a big glob of lint floating in my vision. I also noticed what looked like a snow storm of tiny black dots when looking at a bright background, That was blood from the tear dispersed in the eye fluid.
  Your eyes are nothing to mess around with. when you noticed something out of the ordinary get it looked at.

Hugs,
   Laurie

YES! YES! YES!

I am still so pissed at him... but I cannot do anything about it.

Quote from: Laurie on July 23, 2017, 06:32:31 PM
  This is simply not true. He was a fool. And yes an ER would have know what was wrong and could have been able to get him the help he needed to save his sight.  How do I know this? Because I had the same happen to me. I looked up the symptoms online and found out it could be serious. I immediately call the hospital and was in to see someone that day. I had a tear in my retina the could have led to detachment had the not used a laser to seal the edges down so it did not get worse.  The symptoms of retina tears is well known and require immediate attention.
  If you see a bright flash and notice crap floating in you sight that was not already there, then get your tail into see a doctor.  In my case I don't remember the flash but I did suddenly have what appeared to be a big glob of lint floating in my vision. I also noticed what looked like a snow storm of tiny black dots when looking at a bright background, That was blood from the tear dispersed in the eye fluid.
  Your eyes are nothing to mess around with. when you noticed something out of the ordinary get it looked at.

Hugs,
   Laurie

Now you have me worried, I've had floaties in my eyes for a while.  Some days are worse than others.  I just figured it was exhaustion.  Now I'm going to schedule an appointment to have it checked out.

It is very sad that the young man has lost the sight in that eye and it is a lesson for all of us to take care. We also have to be very careful of Dr Google, it may have information but has no training and no skill in interpretation. I've lost count of the number of patients who were fine by Dr Google before they presented at the oncology clinic.
It is also salient that medics are the worse patients of all. I ignored my cough for 4/5 weeks as it was  'only a cold'. I now breathe through a hole in my neck after having a laryngectomy.
Your health is precious and when death taps you on the shoulder and gives you that smile you realise that life is pretty wonderful and seeing a Dr when things are out of kilter is a very good idea.

While we are on the subject of not being stupid with your eyes, ... there is a total eclipse of the Sun coming next month.  Anyone wanting to look at the Sun needs to take proper precautions.

For looking at the Sun with just your eyes, you need proper solar glasses.  Sunglasses are not sufficient.  Solar glasses are not hard to find when there is an eclipse coming up, but this close to the event, stocks may be running low.  If you can't find solar glasses, you can use #14 welder's glass.  #14 only!!  Nothing else is safe.  Just because it looks "dark enough" doesn't mean it is safe.

If you are looking through binoculars or a telescope, the front lenses need to be covered with solar film.  The injury you receive from looking unprotected through binoculars or a telescope will be instant and permanent!  The injury is painless so you might initially think you got away with it, but the damage will become apparent.

Quote from: Artesia on July 24, 2017, 06:55:15 AM
Now you have me worried, I've had floaties in my eyes for a while.  Some days are worse than others.  I just figured it was exhaustion.  Now I'm going to schedule an appointment to have it checked out.

Some floaters are normal as you get older.  However, a sudden change could indicate a problem.  Regardless, you should be having your eyes checked regularly and mention any concerns to your doctor.  They can't do anything, if they don't know about it.

Some floaters are normal Artesia. I am talking about those that suddenly appear especially if there was a bright flash before or is accompanied with black areas or lots of tiny black dots. Any sudden changes in your eyesight should be checked out.

Sent from my LGL44VL using Tapatalk

Quote from: Rachel Lynn on July 23, 2017, 05:06:32 PM
In Philly I would have gone to Wills Eye Hospital and had treatment relatively quickly.

Why he did not take quick action and having great insurance is his lack of self care. Perhaps he has other underlying issues that are preventing him from self care.

That's exactly what I was thinking.  I know that I have a bad case of social anxiety.  It makes it very difficult to go out for help like this.  I hate to say it, but if I was in your brother's position I would have probably done the same thing. :/

Quote from: KathyLauren on July 24, 2017, 09:01:54 AM
If you are looking through binoculars or a telescope, the front lenses need to be covered with solar film.  The injury you receive from looking unprotected through binoculars or a telescope will be instant and permanent!  The injury is painless so you might initially think you got away with it, but the damage will become apparent.

If you don't have the filter designed for the device, you can focus it at infinity (don't use the sun for this) then place paper or cardboard in line with the eye piece. This will project an image on the surface that can be safely viewed. You can also use cardboard to block out additional light making the image more viewable.

Quote from: Artesia on July 24, 2017, 06:55:15 AM
Now you have me worried, I've had floaties in my eyes for a while.  Some days are worse than others.  I just figured it was exhaustion.  Now I'm going to schedule an appointment to have it checked out.

I have the floaties too, and I had to get laser surgery to tape the retina down because it had a couple tears (no big deal really). Regardless floaters are not good (and I don't consider them normal, but a sign of possible retinal detachment).... there's something going on your in eyes, so fix that immediately. A lot of doctors blow it off, but don't. Vision is way to important to lose!

His was not cause by his eye, but the blood vessel. He smokes cigerettes for many years hardcore, I think that's what cause it. He had healthy eyes. So I know it's the blood that did it.... and his diet is unhealthy. I even told my friend, I will never smoke a cigarette in my life again... (I am terrified to lose my vision, and go downhill)

People take care of your health!!! This totally change my perspective on life profoundly. I felt invincible and then seeing this, I realize it can disappear in one second!0

A common cause of detached retinas is blows to the face like boxing. It could also happen as the result of an auto accident or anything where the head stops suddenly. I have occasional floaters but I also have had regular detailed eye exams and no issues were found. Sometimes material just flakes off and floats around however if there is a bunch of, that is a problem.