Question
I have had constant flash of light in my right eye for 5 days. Had it checked by Optometrist. He said its PVD, no blood present or detached retina. How long should it last? No vision loss or major floaters. I am concerned.
Answer
The flash of light from a PVD can last anywhere from days, to months. I am pretty sure your Optometrist went over with you what to look for and advised you when to come back. Generally we want to be sure you realize that from the time the flash or increased floaters begins, you are at increased risk for a retinal detachment for about the next eight weeks.
During that time you should look out for any increases in the flash, or increased floaters. If you see these, you must return to the doctor real soon to be checked again. IF you should have a curtain come down over your vision in one eye at any point, it would mean your retina probably has detached and you must see a doctor immediately. Also during that eight weeks, you may want to limit any activities that require sudden head movements.
Most doctors require that their PVD patients return for follow-up on some schedule - sometimes every week until the eight weeks is up; sometimes just once at the end of the eight weeks. In either case, if you do whatever your doctor recommended AND follow the directions in the paragraph above, you should be ok - that is provided the PVD diagnosis was correct.
