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These were the three main signs that my retina detached after I was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy. I definitely thought that a retinal detachment would mean that I could not see at all but that was not the case. I am sharing my personal experience so if you notice any of these signs please call your eye doctor. The sooner the detachment is treated (especially mac off) the higher probability that you will have the best vision possible. My treatment to repair the detachment included a vitrectomy.
1. Light Flashes
Light flashing was the retinal detachment sign that was the most blatant. It looked like bursts of lightning sparked in the corner of my eye. I was completely shocked the first time it happened and was not even sure exactly what I saw! When the flashing occurred a couple more times (and I knew it was not storm lightning!) I recognized that it was a sign of something more damaging in my eye.
2. Veil Blocking Your Vision
This veil was a small grey opaque image that started blocking part of my vision. It started very small and then started to grow but luckily stayed in the small corner of my eye. I know other people that had their veil keep getting bigger until it blocked a majority of their vision. The veil can also appear as many shades of grey or black. In my experience the blocked vision did not move as I rotated my eye around and appeared darker in the morning as I woke up.
3. General Decrease in Vision
I always assumed that a retinal detachment meant that I would not be able to see at all. This was far from my experience! It wasn’t being able to see but if I closed one eye I noticed reduced vision. This meant that I could see the big things (even Crest letters on my toothpaste!) but I couldn’t read street signs from a distance and in general the clarity was not crisp.
I did not immediately believe that I had a retinal detachment but I did know that something was not right with my vision especially since I was getting treatment from diabetic retinopathy. My assumption was that I had another bleed but I was so grateful that I went to my doctor and was diagnosed with the retinal detachment early. If you notice any of these signs, it could be a retinal detachment, it could be nothing, or it could be something else. I know eye appointments can feel overwhelming but you owe it to yourself to have the best health possible and that means going to your eye doctor sooner rather than later!