Okay, to begin with I know that this isn’t the type of question that Cecil would answer, but it certainly isn’t a great debate or a mundane thing (at least to me). I realize that it could go to IMHO, but I don’t konw how much everybody frequesnts all of the forums, so I’m putting it here. If Manhattan decides to move it, I’ll know for next time where I should post things. That aside, here’s my question (and the story that goes along with it).
I just returned for my second semester of college courses, and the day after classes started I found myself having vision problems only in my right eye. It seems almost as though there is something on my eyeball, but I can’t feel it, and I can’t locate it in a mirror. From the blurry thing I see its (it’s…I can never keep those two straight) color is a grey-ish green. I can also see it m move at times. The odd thing, however, is that it appears to move opposite the way I move my eye. That is, when I move my eye to look at something to the left of me, the thing in question seems to move to the right. The only speculation I have is that this thing is actually stationary and I only percieve there to be movement where there is none.
So, are there any thoughts as to what this could be. So far I’ve considered cataracts (not that I know very much about it) and wearing an eye patch. It’s damned annoying to have this thing in my field of vision!
There are many possibilities, but certainly you should consult an ophthamologist post-haste. Can’t be too careful with your eyes, you know.
You may (repeat may) have floaters. Floaters are simply pieces of the eyeball that have broken off; it’s common in nearsighted people. I’m nearsighted and I’ve had the floaters for a long time, although not since birth (that I know of, anyway). Floaters are generally harmless. Since they’re not attached to the eye, they’ll be stationary in the sense that they’ll appear not to move in the direction your eyeball is moving. If you have floaters, chances are you have nothing to worry about except for being annoyed - although you’ll get used to them in due time.
Now, because of the coloring you describe, you could have something different altogether. Only an expert actually examining your eyes will be able to tell for sure. I do know that the floaters I have are mostly black, and blurred as well. I’m sure a trained eye doctor will weigh in here with an opinion, but as with anything on the SDMB, you take all advice as a starting point, not a definitive answer.
Just searched webmd for “impaired vision.”
It boils down to this: See your doctor.
While I couldn’t find specific examples like yours, it’s apparent that loss of visual acuity, seeing spots or shadows, and the like can be tied to everyting from fatigue to stress to migrane headaches to more serious conditions.
Certain drugs can also cause temporary vision impairment, depending on dose and strength. Anything from OTC cold medications to prescription drugs to illicit drugs could effect ocular pressure that may trigger some degree of vision loss, if you’re sensitive to it or you take enough of it. It could even be something as simple as a scratch on your eye (this may account for why it seems to move opposite the lign of sight).
If you’re experiencing other symptoms like ringing in your ears, fatigue, rash, headache, body aches, wheezing, etc. stop whatever you’re doing and get to the doctor (be sure to inform your doctor of these as well).
So, in case it hasn’t sunk in yet, SEE YOUR DOCTOR!!
Thanks for the replies, guys. And I do have an appointment to see the doctor. I also forgot to mention something before. My right eye (the one that’s being affected) is slightly lazy, and when I was looking in the mirror again to try and find the damn thing I think is in there I noticed that it only happened when the right eye went slack. Thank you again for the advice.