I'm losing my vision all within the space of a week

[Arta]

I don't know whats happening. Last week my eyes were red but I could see. This last Monday I sudden;y couldn't read my phone unless I put it at arms length away from me, Wednesday I had to focus to see anything fat away. I had to increase the text size on my phone and PC.

I went to an optometrist yesterday and today. They said I might need glasses cause I was getting older, but they didn't know why I suddenly lost focusing power. I went through all the tests, they gave me Refresh drops for dry eyes, and they dilated my eyes with some drops that makes everything fuzzy.

Problem is, the effect of the dilation is supposed to go away after a few hours. Yesterday it did, but I did mine at 2:30, just got up from sleep and everything's still blurry, at every distance. Just to type this message I had to turn the text size way up. I'm waiting to see if there's a walk in eye doctor on the weekend if this doesn't clear up.

I'm freaking out. What if this is it? I had a whole bunch of issues but if my sight goes I'm fucked.

 

[_Karooo]

It's probably an infection. Go to a good doctor.

 

[Ginta]

Go visit a real doctor!

 

[Mad]

Get a pair of the opera glasses, those are pretty cool

 

[Deleted member 19003]

Go to an opthalmologist, not an optometrist. Optometrist are mostly for glasses prescriptions and minor eye issues. Opthalmologist is the actual medical doctor that specializes in eyes.

 

[Mulciber]

:'( That sounds horrible and terrifying. I'm going to be hoping for the best for you. And yeah, maybe you need to see a different type of physician other than an optometrist. They definitely didn't sound worried enough that this is happening so fast.

 

[EvilChameleon]

Just reading this thread is making my eyes water.

 

[glasiche]

Since it's the weekend try an emergency clinic if you're in the US*

*if it's getting that bad

 

[Officer Big Mac]

Whatever you do dont seek out a medical professional.

 

[Cockmagic]

First of all, how old are you? In your 40's, your focusing system starts to go. If you're younger than that, focusing issues may still arise for a variety of reasons. As far as the drops go, it might have been the strong stuff, which can last up to a day.

 

[kennyamr]

I think you should go to a general practitioner instead, asap.
The problem may not even be in the eyes. It could be the brain or something else.
Don't waste more time. I'd try to go to a hospital even. Tell them exactly how long it took from your normal vision to your current situation.
I hope it's nothing dangerous, but there is a chance for that, so please, go to a hospital as soon as you can.

 

[Hero_of_the_Day]

What the fucking fuck @ "might need glasses". There is obviously something going on here that needs figured out. Go see someone else.

I think you should go to a general practitioner instead, asap.
The problem may not even be in the eyes. It could be the brain or something else.
Don't waste more time. I'd try to go to a hospital even. Tell them exactly how long it took from your normal vision to your current situation.

Click to shrink...

This.

 

[Arta]

:'( That sounds horrible and terrifying. I'm going to be hoping for the best for you. And yeah, maybe you need to see a different type of physician other than an optometrist. They definitely didn't sound worried enough that this is happening so fast.

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It;s fucking terrifying!

 

[FreezePeach]

Either you arent telling us something or the doctors you went to shouldnt be doctors. I mean, in the span of a week you dont suddenly lose eyesight and have them tell you its cause you're getting old. Did you have impact to the head recently? But yeah, get additional opinions. Loss of eyesight that is natural happens over years. Took me like 4 years to finally see an eye doctor and get glasses.

 

[glasiche]

double post

 

[Airegin]

Go to an ophtalmologist. You may also want to get tested for diabetes.

 

[FiXalaS]

Either an eye infection(effect increased by dryness) or possible glaucoma.

You have to see a real doctor ASAP.. ASAP as in the very first moment you can go. Eyes are a treasure OP.

 

[joecanada]

Yeah ever since my job and age my prescription has gone up almost every year it's scary alright....

 

[t26]

It's probably an infection. Go to a good doctor.

Click to shrink...

Go visit a real doctor!

Click to shrink...

Go to an opthalmologist, not an optometrist. Optometrist are mostly for glasses prescriptions and minor eye issues. Opthalmologist is the actual medical doctor that specializes in eyes.

Click to shrink...

Optometrist is a real doctor. You probably won't be able to see ophthalmologist without a referral from an optometrist

 

[Izayoi]

At our ophthalmology clinics you would be triaged - these are urgent symptoms and you need to be seen by a doctor for a comprehensive medical eye exam immediately.

Go to an emergency room. Sudden vision loss could be symptomatic of any number of awful eye conditions, many of which cannot be reversed if you let them go too long without proper treatment.

 

[Zippedpinhead]

I had a college roommate that had a complete degradation of his eyesight within the summer from junior to senior year. An ophthalmologist was able to diagnose it as a deterioration of the cones in his eyes that would eventually lead to total lack of clarity.

The reason I bring it up was that it still took a little bit of time.

I had pink eye last year which completely fucked my eyesight in my right eye for about a week. Legit thought I was going blind in one eye. Got it diagnosed and now I'm back to my regular (still shitty) eyesight.

See a doctor, see an ophthalmologist, dont panic quite yet, and remember at least you can hear the most beautiful music still!

 

[gozu]

You probably won't be able to see ophthalmologist without a referral from an optometrist

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This is not true. Source: my life.

 

[Cockmagic]

Doesn't sound like sudden vision loss at all. If OP is in his/her 40's, I'm willing to bet it's presbyopia (age-related loss of focusing ability), and he's just now starting to notice symptoms.

 

[Deleted member 19003]

Optometrist is a real doctor. You probably won't be able to see ophthalmologist without a referral from an optometrist

Click to shrink...

Not an MD though.
Depends on his insurance, but it's possible to make appointments w specialists without a referral. If its very dire, and your condition continues to worsen over the weekend, go to the ER. Hopefully a large hospital that has an opthalmologist on call.

 

[Hero_of_the_Day]

Optometrist is a real doctor.

Click to shrink...

The one OP went to sounds like a real shit doctor. The thought of telling a doctor that your sight suddenly got really bad on Monday, then grew even worse on Wednesday, and them telling you you might need glasses as your sight gets worse as you age is beyond absurd. This could be a serious emergency situation.

 

[Arta]

First of all, how old are you? In your 40's, your focusing system starts to go. If you're younger than that, focusing issues may still arise for a variety of reasons. As far as the drops go, it might have been the strong stuff, which can last up to a day.

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38 in a few days.

If it had happened gradually I would understand, but last week I had perfect vision.

 

[Mulciber]

It;s fucking terrifying!

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I can only imagine. I really hope someone can help you. Please keep us updated.

 

[Airegin]

38 in a few days.

If it had happened gradually I would understand, but last week I had perfect vision.

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Do you know anyone with a glucose meter? Hyperglycemia/diabetes is a possibility.

 

[Shroki]

As someone with illness anxiety disorder, the alarmist nature of some of these posts are NOT helpful. If a handful of (presumably) laymen with google can diagnose an infection after reading "my eyes were red", surely multiple optometrists were likely to considered it.

OP, if your situation continues to tangibly worsen, go to the ER (particularly if your situation means you can afford this). Otherwise, I would get some sleep, avoid caffeine and stimulants and see the SAME optometrist you did last when you can. Reinforce your concerns and make sure you are heard.

 

[Eggiem]

Your whole head needs to be checked asap. Could be something with the brain, bloodflow, something pushing on the nerves...
I would go to the hospital. They have a MRI for things like this.

 

[saint]

what a sight for sore eyes

go see a doctor tho

 

[Eggiem]

As someone with illness anxiety disorder, the alarmist nature of some of these posts are NOT helpful. If a handful of (presumably) laymen with google can diagnose an infection after reading "my eyes were red", surely multiple optometrists were likely to considered it.

OP, if your situation continues to tangibly worsen, go to the ER (particularly if your situation means you can afford this). Otherwise, I would get some sleep, avoid caffeine and stimulants and see the SAME optometrist you did last when you can. Reinforce your concerns and make sure you are heard.

Click to shrink...

This advice is so wrong. People make mistakes. Some doctors are shitty and wont even notice when you are having a heart attack (happened to my grandma). Get some other expert to check this issue, OP!

 

[SleepSmasher]

OP, stop wasting time with Internet forums and go to an ophthalmologist asap.

 

[Chareth Cutestory]

When the doctor did the exam did you ever see normally during the test (namely the refraction, the which-is-better-one-or-two test)? If your vision was able to get back to normal during that test then it's much less concerning. I would still seek a second opinion if you aren't reassured with what the doctor said. And yes, optometrists are doctors. Optometrists and ophthalmologists are both trained and capable of diagnosing diseases and treating many of the same conditions as well. Ophthalmologists primarily focus on surgery while optometrists are more like the primary care doctors of the eye. Don't bother with seeing a general physician, they get like a week or two of training on the eyes in med school. Don't get me wrong, they are amazing for what they do, but they don't do enough eye stuff to do it well generally.

 

[Hero_of_the_Day]

This advice is so wrong. People make mistakes. Some doctors are shitty and wont even notice when you are having a heart attack (happened to my grandma). Get some other expert to check this issue, OP!

Click to shrink...

When my dad had gallbladder problems a few years back, he went to the ER and they told him he was just sick and to follow up with his regular doctor in a week if he still wasn't better.

He went to his doctor a week later, the doctor opened his file and immediately told him it was his gallbladder. The ER hospital had figured it out after discharging him and never called to inform him of the change in his diagnosis. It was fucking insane.

People are people in any profession. I'm not trying to be alarmist, but the situation as presented in the OP sounds off.

 

[Commedieu]

Id start practicing echolocation. There is probably a audible on it.

But yeah,..

Hit the gym.

Call a doctor.

Don't fuck around with your Vision.

 

[Shroki]

This advice is so wrong. People make mistakes. Some doctors are shitty and wont even notice when you are having a heart attack (happened to my grandma). Get some other expert to check this issue, OP!

Click to shrink...

I've been to more doctors than you will ever meet. I've spent more time on this line of thought than you can imagine. I've seen so many therapists about the fear that shitty doctors are lazy and missing things. I'm not wrong; you are wrong. Multiple optometrists are far less likely to miss something serious than alarmist message board posters are going to fuck with this guy and cost him pain and money needlessly.

If it worsens, ER. If you're really worried, talk to a GP about your concerns but they'll do a basic examine and tell you the same thing. Yeah, they could have missed something or fucked up. Not nearly as likely as the alternative. Not even close.

 

[Hero_of_the_Day]

I've been to more doctors than you will ever meet. I've spent more time on this line of thought than you can imagine. I've seen so many therapists about the fear that shitty doctors are lazy and missing things. I'm not wrong; you are wrong. Multiple optometrists are far less likely to miss something serious than alarmist message board posters are going to fuck with this guy and cost him pain and money needlessly.

If it worsens, ER. If you're really worried, talk to a GP about your concerns but they'll do a basic examine and tell you the same thing.

Click to shrink...

Of course the trained professionals are less likely to miss something. Less likely doesn't mean not possible. And you are advising OP to go to an ER if it gets worse, while they are sitting here saying it has gotten worse. How much worse is worse enough?

 

[Fiction]

100% go to an ER right now. Sudden vision loss is usually something extremely serious. If you dont have a ride, call 911 or the equivalent in your country

 

[Eggiem]

I've been to more doctors than you will ever meet. I've spent more time on this line of thought than you can imagine. I've seen so many therapists about the fear that shitty doctors are lazy and missing things. I'm not wrong; you are wrong. Multiple optometrists are far less likely to miss something serious than alarmist message board posters are going to fuck with this guy and cost him pain and money needlessly.

If it worsens, ER. If you're really worried, talk to a GP about your concerns but they'll do a basic examine and tell you the same thing. Yeah, they could have missed something or fucked up. Not nearly as likely as the alternative. Not even close.

Click to shrink...

It's already so worse that he can barely see. It has worsened. How long should he wait? Better safe than sorry, early than too late. There is nothing worth more than your health. WTH.
Also: You dont know anything about me, so please stop assuming things about my life.

 

[Arta]

When the doctor did the exam did you ever see normally during the test (namely the refraction, the which-is-better-one-or-two test)? If your vision was able to get back to normal during that test then it's much less concerning. I would still seek a second opinion if you aren't reassured with what the doctor said. And yes, optometrists are doctors. Optometrists and ophthalmologists are both trained and capable of diagnosing diseases and treating many of the same conditions as well. Ophthalmologists primarily focus on surgery while optometrists are more like the primary care doctors of the eye. Don't bother with seeing a general physician, they get like a week or two of training on the eyes in med school. Don't get me wrong, they are amazing for what they do, but they don't do enough eye stuff to do it well generally.

Click to shrink...

I did the refraction test and were able to see the charts, but better with "power" as they say. It wasn't until tonight that it got worse.

I'm going to have my aunt drive me to a doctor or the ER tomorrow morning.

 

[Chareth Cutestory]

Your whole head needs to be checked asap. Could be something with the brain, bloodflow, something pushing on the nerves...
I would go to the hospital. They have a MRI for things like this.

Click to shrink...

I mean, sure, maybe it could be the brain. Or they could be a hyperope with early presbyopia and actually just need glasses. An MRI is a super expensive test, even with insurance, for someone to do without any specific indication. And it may not be sensitive enough to see something happening if the problem is in their eyes. Plus good luck getting an emergency MRI through the ER for blurry vision. Won't happen. For all the reasons I just mentioned.

 

[dennett316]

Are you diabetic OP? I am, and a few years ago my blood sugars got out of control and I developed a lazy eye due to the diabetes affecting one of the small muscles around my eye. Got my shit together in terms of blood sugar, got a corrective gel lens that straightened up my double vision for me, and it gradually got back to normal. If you're not diabetic, then the next time you see someone about this, ask lots of questions about what they think it could be and how to treat it. State how concerned you are and ask for a second opinion if you're not happy with the answer. If your eyes were red, maybe that was the start of an eye infection of some type that's throwing shit off. Any pain when blinking? Does it feel sticky, or gritty, or dry? Any aching when moving your eyes around?

 

[Shroki]

Of course the trained professionals are less likely to miss something. Less likely doesn't mean not possible. And you are advising OP to go to an ER if it gets worse, while they are sitting here saying it has gotten worse. How much worse is worse enough?

Click to shrink...

This is illness anxiety disorder 101. Therapists go out of their way to shut down that entire line of reasoning because it will fuck your shit up for no good reason 99.9% of the time.

How much worse is worse. Well, if he actually loses his vision that is a medical emergency and he should go to an ER. If he's covered or has the money, maybe peace of mind is worth the trip. But posters in this thread are being unbelievably irresponsible IMO.

Don't go to video-game forums for medical advice. There are nurse hotlines often available that will provide you with better immediate medical advice than alarmists with no expertise if you are that strung out and concerned.

 

[Arta]

Are you diabetic OP? I am, and a few years ago my blood sugars got out of control and I developed a lazy eye due to the diabetes affecting one of the small muscles around my eye. Got my shit together in terms of blood sugar, got a corrective gel lens that straightened up my double vision for me, and it gradually got back to normal. If you're not diabetic, then the next time you see someone about this, ask lots of questions about what they think it could be and how to treat it. State how concerned you are and ask for a second opinion if you're not happy with the answer. If your eyes were red, maybe that was the start of an eye infection of some type that's throwing shit off. Any pain when blinking? Does it feel sticky, or gritty, or dry? Any aching when moving your eyes around?

Click to shrink...

I'm going to get tested for diabetes as soon as I can.

My eyes feel dry, so I use Refresh drops to moisten them.

 

[WordsAndDreams]

The same thing literally happened to me a month or so ago, same/similar symptoms (not sure about severity). Even the dilation part, same exact thing.

Went to an optometrist who said it was allergies (didn't help), GP eventually referred me to an ophthalmologist after bringing it up over multiple visits. Ophthalmologist said he couldn't find anything wrong with my eyes, and now I just have to wait a couple weeks and go back for another exam. It's been an extremely frustrating and slow process.

 

[Chareth Cutestory]

I did the refraction test and were able to see the charts, but better with "power" as they say. It wasn't until tonight that it got worse.

I'm going to have my aunt drive me to a doctor or the ER tomorrow morning.

Click to shrink...

This is reassuring. You aren't my patient and I don't like giving medical advice over the internet but if you could see normally with the lenses, then that's a really good sign. Rather than going to an ER (again, you probably will see an emergency physician rather than an optometrist or ophthalmologist, and they will triage you to make sure your eye isn't falling out and then tell you to follow up with your eye doctor)- consider just calling your original optometrist again. Or, like I said, seek a second opinion from another eye doctor. Make sure they dilate your pupils. I understand that vision changes can make people very nervous, but often there is a very benign or easily fixable cause. Keep us posted.

 

[Eggiem]

I mean, sure, maybe it could be the brain. Or they could be a hyperope with early presbyopia and actually just need glasses. An MRI is a super expensive test, even with insurance, for someone to do without any specific indication. And it may not be sensitive enough to see something happening if the problem is in their eyes. Plus good luck getting an emergency MRI through the ER for blurry vision. Won't happen. For all the reasons I just mentioned.

Click to shrink...

I forgot about the bad health insurance in the US. Sorry. :/
Here in Germany they (the hospital) will be happy to check you from head to toe and sent the bill to the statutory health insurance companies (which are still getting richer and richer because we pay more than enough taxes).

 

[Rory]

I don't know whats happening. Last week my eyes were red but I could see.
This last Monday I suddenly couldn't read my phone unless I put it at arms length away from me, Wednesday I had to focus to see anything fat away. I had to increase the text size on my phone and PC.

I went to an optometrist yesterday and today. They said I might need glasses cause I was getting older, but they didn't know why I suddenly lost focusing power. I went through all the tests, they gave me Refresh drops for dry eyes, and they dilated my eyes with some drops that makes everything fuzzy.

Problem is, the effect of the dilation is supposed to go away after a few hours. Yesterday it did, but I did mine at 2:30, just got up from sleep and everything's still blurry, at every distance. Just to type this message I had to turn the text size way up. I'm waiting to see if there's a walk in eye doctor on the weekend if this doesn't clear up.

I'm freaking out. What if this is it? I had a whole bunch of issues but if my sight goes I'm fucked.

Click to shrink...

When I had migraine attacks, I lost my vision on one eye suddenly for a few minutes (30?) completely. When i closed/covered the seeing eye, everything was dark despite the blind eye being open. Covering the blind eye didnt change my vision at all. It was somewhat fascinating. And panicking. (Note: im used to my migraine affecting my vision in a way that pictures arent processed correctly, that was a first time going blind and never happened again.)

My vision is still affected somewhat due to blood pressure. There are days when I wake up and see slightly blurry. Days when cant walk straight for a few minutes...

What I am saying: Neurological check up should be done as well as general. Reddish eyes sound like blood pressure problems.

 

[Creation_Scapes]

You should be ok that's actually pretty common.