Eyes

[5029]

Lately I've been getting this patch in front of my eye that I can't see through. It's as if I've looked at a lightbulb or the sun too long, except it won't go away. What is this and how can I get rid of it?

[andy hughes]

This may be nothing sinister - but it won't hurt to set your mind at rest. Make an appointment at your local optician and explain the condition to him, and see what he advises. If it's something easily treatable, no problem, if it is something more serious, you need to get treatment sooner rather than later.

[ravenhair]

My partner has this, or at least a very similar-sounding thing. It's called serous (not serious!!) retinopathy and it occurs when there is a tiny tear in the retina which leaks retinal fluid; this is the patch. It's not dangerous but there's not much that can be done about it other than letting it heal of its own accord, which will take quite a while. The eye specialist told my partner that laser surgery might not work and wasn't worth considering. He goes to have it looked at every six months and after two years or so, it's healing fine and he no longer has the patch.