Apparently floaters are common…you just don’t notice them.

It seems like I am having a few health issues at the moment. It’s interesting as I didn’t go to a doctor that frequently before I moved to the Bahamas. Now it seems that I am there almost every week.

What is bothering me is my left eye. During my IE I noticed that there was a black spot in my vision. A quick google search led me to think that it was nothing too serious and as I was in the middle of my IE I wasn’t about to stop it for love nor money. So I soldiered on. I noticed the floater on Saturday and so I made an appointment to see my GP about it as soon as I was able. He said he didn’t think there was anything to worry about but because I dive I should get my eyes checked out by a specialist.

A referral was made and I went to see about my eyes today. I was given a quick check up, pictures of my retina, air blown on my pupils, and the usual read the letters off of the chart. To see into my eyes more easily I was given drops that completely destroyed my focus and gave me the pupils of someone who had taken something illicit. It takes at least 15 minutes for the drops to kick in and I had to sit patiently and not do anything as I was unable to read. The doctor then checked out my eyes and was happy that they looked normal and that the floater would disappear of its own accord.

I have to say that I am completely relieved as that means I am fit to dive this weekend. However, the doctor has given me strict instructions that if any of the following should happen I must return to see him.

1. More floaters appear.
2. I start seeing flashing lights when I know there are none around.
3. There appears to be a curtaining effect in the eye.

These are all signs that there could be a problem with the retina, so it is best to get them checked out.

NOTE: Always consult a medical professional if you have any concerns about your eyes. It is better to be safe than sorry. You may have two eyes and think that one is a spare but it is better to have both working. So please, don’t do anything stupid get them checked out.