11/24/2025
The first time I experienced PVD was a little over four years ago while I was in Spain with my family. I was standing at a grocery store checkout when suddenly huge black specks filled my vision. I panicked. I thought it might be the start of a migraine or even something more serious, like a stroke, given my family history.
The next morning, I woke up with the same issue, so I went to the doctor, who sent me straight to the ER.
When I got back to Florida, a full eye exam confirmed it was posterior vitreous detachment. Over time, I adjusted to the floaters. These days I barely notice them unless I’m looking at the sky or a white background, but they’re still there.
I had no idea how common PVD was until it happened to me. It’s scary.
A little over two years ago, right before a trip to California, I had my annual eye exam as usual. Everything looked fine. Two days later, I landed in Reno and suddenly saw flashes of light and squiggly lines in my left eye. This time it was much more dramatic and really affected my vision.
Even though I knew what it probably was, it was still terrifying.
Another ER visit and a retina specialist confirmed it was PVD again, this time with an internal hemorrhage that affected my sight for about two weeks.
Thankfully, a follow-up with my ophthalmologist showed my eye was healing. Since then I’ve adjusted to a new set of floaters in both eyes. I still get my eyes checked once a year, just to stay on top of everything.
PVD itself isn’t harmful unless it leads to a retinal tear. That’s why it’s so important to get checked right away.
When I talked about my experience online, I was shocked at how many people said “Me too!” Have you or someone you know experienced it?
