<p>If you have any lightning flashes, they’ll definitely get you in THAT day. It could be the symptom of a retina tear. Seems like the opth office got me in that very day, and the doctor lasered me up after the office closed for appointments.</p>
<p>OK… just called the opthamologist office. They asked me a series of questions (some of the issues mentioned above, then some) and when I answered no to all of them, they began to offer appointments, a week and a half out.</p>
<p>I told them if I started to have any other symptoms, I’d call them back; in the meantime, if it continues to bother me, I’d go see my family practitioner (who I can always get in with the same day).</p>
<p>If you are concerned and want to be seen right away, I’d start reporting that you are seeing flashes of light…</p>
<p>Oh, I certainly thought of that, but I don’t think they’d think of it too kindly when I finally show up and say I haven’t had any, and realize I was lying to get an earlier appointment.</p>
<p>^You’re a good woman…</p>
<p>I think a lot of people suddenly start to see a small floater, and this is probably what you have–and that’s why they don’t see it as an emergency. I have a floater in my left eye, and I was worried about it, but it was nothing compared to what happened when I got the PVD in my right eye…BIG floater.</p>
<p>Also be sure to mention if you see any grains of sand. Those are red blood cells and do merit immediate attention.</p>
<p>Wow. I have learned a lot here!</p>
<p>So many on the Parents Forum are of an age where issues like this are cropping or have cropped up. Please don’t get us started on menopause…</p>
<p>Since you brought it up, ellemenope, wasn’t there a thread on that subject in the past six months? I’ve been searching for it this week to no avail.</p>
<p>The mods made it unsearchable so the men couldn’t find it.
jk</p>
<p>No…the men could find it; most couldn’t recognize its validity or relevance!</p>
<p>Just a word on the subject of retinal detachments, flashes of light do NOT always accompany them. My H has had a detached retina twice and neither time did he see flashes of light. Also, this is not just a health issue for old-timers. 
He was only 40 with the first.</p>
<p>I hope the OP posts an update.</p>
<p>oh I still have the black floaty things- but they are most bothersome in bright light.
In Seattle, outside of the past week or so ( when it was 90) that isn’t usually a problem.</p>
<p>I want to add to the chorus of people who suggest seeing an ophthalmologist sooner rather than later, who will probably refer the OP to a retina specialist. The black floaty things without flashes of light are less scary than when accompanied by flashes but still should be evaluated–I had this problem last year and underwent the very disconcerting but painless laser procedure described by an earlier poster (the exam with the bright light and the dilation has the same long-lasting effects on me but I suppose it is better than waiting for an emergency and then having to go through it anyway). The main thing is to get the eye looked at to be sure there is no retinal tear, which could lead to detachment and loss of vision.</p>
<p>C’mon, Emeraldkity4! Call that doc and get back to us to say it’s all OK.</p>
<p>The bothersome in bright light concerns me. Are you sure you can’t call another doctor and emphasize the bright light portion? And then wheedle!</p>
<p>The floaters last a long time once they are there. They fade slowly over time (years). You get used to them.</p>
<p>OK, this was weird. I’m in VA on vacation right now. Sunday night I thought I might have seen a flash. Monday nothing unusual so I go for a drive. A few hours later first floaters show up in my good eye. Damn. Go to hospital and they refer me to eye specialists for this morning. 3000 miles from home with no local doctor at all. Eye clinic was top notch and they find and repair three tears. So I am now at the hotel with an eye patch for the rest of the day. I love US healthcare.</p>