Came down with one floater (only symptom) in my left eye several hours after a 4.4 mile swim race this Sunday past. (Didn’t take any head blows as far as I can remember.) GP sent me to ophthalmologist, who diagnosed vitreous detachment, and said retina looked OK. Told me no vigorous exercise or heavy weightlifting for the next 7-10 days, as this is period in which there is greatest risk for retina detachment. It was a bit difficult to have the conversation, as her definition of “vigorous” exercise was running more than a mile.
Anybody have any clue about this? Seems like there’s contradictory opinions from reputable medical sources about a) the risk period for retina detachment, and b) if limiting exercise has any impact on the risk.
Just got medical clearance yesterday to return to bike/run following injury, otherwise I might be more inclined to take the vacation.
Thanks.
It’s from having to point left to stay between the bridges.
I am absolutely not a physician and you probably shouldn’t listen to me. If it were me I’d ride the trainer.
I got a pvd in 2000. Still see the occasional white flash.
ha ha. Yes, you mean at the end? I kept thinking the vortex around the pylons would lead straight to hell… I could feel it before I sighted and realized how close I was.
I have 3 symptoms (flashing, floaters, blurry vision) ongoing for 2 months now.
My doc said anything short of full-contact martial arts was fine, but there isn’t a consensus on this, as you found…
Took two weeks off, the second week did some easy trainer rides. Since then have been running, biking, and swimming alone in a lane, so far no deterioration or change in symptoms.
I certainly wouldn’t do any group swims or races, as that is just a form of water-borne mixed martial arts, and the chances of a blow to the head are good.
Six weeks to six months is the usual resolution time, only four months to go I guess…
Retinal detachment can be fixed with surgery, but it involves keeping the head down for several days, followed by a very high risk of requiring cataract surgery in the next five or ten years. The costs of retinal detachment are high enough that even if the chances of it happening during ‘vigorous’ exercise are low, I decided to take the two weeks off…
Yeah, I hear you on the retinal detachment thing.
Was also at the swim on Sunday. I like Kevin’s suggestion about pointing left! I thought the final stretch between the bridges was like swimming on a treadmill.
I’ve had retinal detachment and it probably occurred during a long run one day…and likely from detached or tugging vitreous, like you mention. After 2 operations, my eye is doing great.
But I’d say that, after a close brush with loss of vision, I’d be extraordinarily cautious after a vitreous detachment. If the doctor told me to take a break for 7-10 days, I’d probably take off 2 months!
It’s easy to take our eyesight for granted.
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Thanks. This helps reinforce what I need to do now. It’s just so effin hard, having finally been cleared to return to bike and run.
My plan was to do swim races while I rebuilt my run/bike base, but the ophthalmologist seemed to be saying that the blowing pressure (through the nose) plus the head movement that comes with swimming is not good for the pvd.
Did you have a good swim despite the “treadmill”?
Enjoyed the swim. Steady effort for 2:04. Similar times previously, 2:04 and 2:07 in 2008, 2009. Was pleased with calm water and cooler weather this year. With the water quality issue (and swallowing a fair bit of water), glad that I haven’t gotten sick!
How about you?
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That water quality issue may have contributed to my current predicament, as I kept my mouth shut (oh, hold the jokes) and blew through my nose.
It was my first time. I went into it with hip and back injuries, which meant I did much of the race pulling or with a 1 beat kick. Between that and being an adult onset swimmer, I knew I didn’t stand a chance with the Ches Bay vets in my AG.
First time in a long time that I started a race deliberately trying to to not compete. Probably overcompensated by stopping to chat with volunteers on boats along the way. 
Have to say, probably won’t repeat it. Lot more interesting swim races out there for a lot less dinero.
Eye doctor here… I don’t tell people not to do heavy exercising after a PVD since the vitreous has already detached from the retina, I advise to call ASAP if any new floaters, flashes or curtains appear. Just my 2 cents…
Good to hear from an eye doc. It’s really hard to find good info on this topic.
Does the one floater mean that the detachment has occurred? or that it is occurring? what shows up in the dilated exam that indicates where one is in the stage of detachment? As best I understand it, as you said, once the vitreous has completely detached the risk of retinal detachment is minimal.
For the first time I noticed little tiny specks that were transient. Do those count as something to warrant back to the doc?
Thanks
You can have a partial or total vitreous detachment. Typically it’s considered total if the vitreous detaches off the optic nerve and you see a ring-shaped floater when you look inside. Floaters don’t necessarily mean you have a PVD though. I’ve had them since I was a kid. Transient tiny specks I wouldn’t worry about. Only if its constant.
thanks. I’m going to get a copy of the exam note so I can understand my specifics better.
As an ophthalmologist, my recommendation would be no contact sports or anything that might encounter contact until complete resolution. Head stands/ downward dog… in yoga are out as well. A recent posterior vitreous detachment (pvd) will take time to fully detach at which time the retina will no longer be at higher risk for tears, detachments etc…Getting kicked in the head during an open water swim, bike crash on a group ride etc…could potentially put you at risk during this period. As the other doc mentioned, it really has to do with partial or total detachment of the vitreous. The time for a PVD to run its course is variable and tends to be much slower in a younger individual vs an older. Has to do with the consistency of the vitreous which is more viscous, sticky in younger folks vs in older folks where its more liquid and less likely to pull on the retina with great force. Flashes or a sudden increase in floaters or a partial shade of your vision should be looked at promptly.
How do I know when it has become fully detached?
Needs to be examined. Not a subjective thing.Follow up exam with competent ophthalmologist. If you were my brother, Id recommend a retina specialist. No one else including myself, will do as thorough of an examination of the Retina. Tell him your exact concerns, your exact activities and listen.
I checked her bio and the ophthalmologist I saw specializes in corneas, so I found one that specializes in retinas. Earliest I could get in is Wednesday. Thanks for the advice–I would have never known about the difference.
The time for a PVD to run its course is variable and tends to be much slower in a younger individual vs an older. Has to do with the consistency of the vitreous which is more viscous, sticky in younger folks vs in older folks where its more liquid and less likely to pull on the retina with great force.
thank you, had not seen this info before. So what is ‘older’ in this context ?
The vitreous goes through a degradation called syneresis or separation and liquification. It basically separates from the retina, shrivels up and then continues to liquefy. The patients symptoms with each of these stages is usually possible flashes(separation can be asymptomatic), new onset floaters and then resolution or a break up of the floaters. Usually appears in mid age 40-60 but can occur in younger folks. The course of separation takes longer in younger folks(less than 40) and runs a faster route in patients in their 60s and greater. This is all a generalization and each individual may vary. I should clarify that though the vitreous is usually more liquid in older> 60 people, the retina is also more friable and risk for retinal detachments increases with age(also higher risk in highly myopic folks as well).
ta… so I’m right in the middle… patience is called for I guess.