Driving - floaters

ElephantBoy57

I drive a VW Crafter for a living, I had my eyes tested last year and the optician stated that I was close to needing driving glasses. I have noticed my eyesight is not as good as it was. I am 59

A couple or more times, I have had floaters in my eyes which interfered with my vision. I can still see, but they are a distraction. Has anyone else experienced this?

Scrapit

ElephantBoy57 said:

I drive a VW Crafter for a living, I had my eyes tested last year and the optician stated that I was close to needing driving glasses. I have noticed my eyesight is not as good as it was. I am 59

A couple or more times, I have had floaters in my eyes which interfered with my vision. I can still see, but they are a distraction. Has anyone else experienced this?

Floaters are common, usually when against a light background. If they are interfering with driving go get yourself checked out quick.

greyteam1959

Get to an optician ASAP like tomorrow.
You could have serious eye problems looming.

TadleyBaggie

A month or so ago I started seeing large floaters in my right eye, got checked out and I have a PVD (posterior vitreous detachment) which is not unusual for the over 65's. No treatment needed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posterior_vitreous_detachment

Aretnap

OTOH if you have new floaters suddenly appearing it can sometimes be a symptom of a detached retina.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/detached-retina-retinal-detachment/
Definitely better to be safe than sorry on this one. Get yourself checked out. 

ElephantBoy57

TadleyBaggie said:

A month or so ago I started seeing large floaters in my right eye, got checked out and I have a PVD (posterior vitreous detachment) which is not unusual for the over 65's. No treatment needed.

It is a little worrying, although it lasts around ten minutes. I can still read, but if I am driving when it happens my vision will be reduced. I might book an appointment at Asda opticians this week, £19

Spinybif

You need to find out first if your area supports CUES ( Corvid urgent eyecare scheme) in England.  If yes book yourself into any community optician who is part of the scheme - it is provided free to recipient ( funded by local CCG). Wales and Scotland have national schemes funded by their governments.
 They will dilate your pupil and check the back of your eye for signs of retinal rear which can lead to blindness. Don't drive to the appointment.  Asda do not normally participate in such schemes as it is a service to local community which does not fit their business model. 

Rhubarb_Shed

I've had floaters most of my life, and other than being an irritant they've been of little consequence (I have regular eye checks).  You notice them less with time.

As yours seem recent, you are definitely doing the right thing by booking an appointment at your opticians to get your eyes checked out.  Alternatively, I believe that your GP should also be able to identify anything that might need further investigation.
If in the meantime you are at all concerned, call 111 and ask for advice.  Do so immediately if the floaters seem to increase in number and/or you notice any other visual disturbances.  A retinal tear, which can lead to detachment, can have serious consequences, but when caught early on can usually be treated both simply and effectively.

greyteam1959

All good advice.
I had a detached retina & I can tell you it's quite frightening to loose your sight in a matter of hours.

ElephantBoy57

greyteam1959 said:

All good advice.
I had a detached retina & I can tell you it's quite frightening to loose your sight in a matter of hours.

The thing that makes it worse for me, is that I have a lazy eye which is not corrected by wearing glasses.

So my vision is effectively via one eye.

lordmountararat

Floaters are just a feature of advancing years. I've only had them once, and they disappeared after a day or two.