Black dot in my vision

DaveC426913

Lately I've noticed a black dot in the vision of my right eye (a few weeks now). I'm used to floaters, this is different - it's black. Other than that, it's much like a floater: it's out of focus and, while it seems to move around, I think that's just my eye movements (I don't see how it could move around on its own yet still return to the same spot day after day).

I only tend to notice it when I read my monitor with my left eye closed (quite common when tired - a bad habit since I was young.) I sit facing a bright window which may contribute to my ability to see it.

I guess it's just a floater of some particularly dark material?

WarPhalange

What did your doctor say?

humanino

Hopefully it's not your retina ! Did you plan an appointment to the ophthalmologist ?

lisab

It does sound different from a floater, since floaters usually, well, float.

I'd ask your doctor about it. I don't know how old your are, but macular degeneration is fairly common in older people. My dad has it - he says it's a black spot in the center of his vision.

neu

go to the doctor, go to the doctor, go to the doctor

Evo

Probably, floaters are bits of tissue that have become detached and they can differ in size and density. Since this is a new development and could be a signal that something more serious could be happening. Go to the doctor and get it checked!

Astronuc

Yeah! A persistent black dot could be the retina (possibly detachment), i.e. the cells are not transmitting impluses into optic nerve system. The floaters should 'float' away or move in the field of vision.

DaveC426913

I guess I was figuring that a floater wasn't quite a doctor-worthy development.

I've been wondering if it's relatively common with everyone or if it's tied to being in my 40's. Or to Diabetes.

Yeah. I guess I'd better book an appointment.

BobG

From his name (Dave), I would have figured him to be somewhere between 40 and 50.

Dave's popularity over the years (Ehh, you can't link to a search, so you have to search Dave's popularity yourself. I searched back 100 years figuring there wasn't much chance he'd be older than that.)

lisab

But "DaveC426913" wasn't recognized .

Monique

I have the same thing for the last few years now. I recently booked an appointment with an ophthalmologist, but of course I had to go to the lab and cancel the appointment I guess I'll make a new one tomorrow.

hypatia

Dave don't wait, or put off going. As a matter of fact you should tell them{Drs office} it may be a emergency. Astro is right its the first sign of a rip or hole in the retina, which MUST be looked at right away.

Jimmy Snyder

I can't add to what neu said unless it would be: go to the doctor.
I only ever had one floater and it sent me to a doctor immediately. I was sure I was going blind. I won't panic if I get another one. But if I had a black dot for a couple of weeks, a doctor would have looked at it by now.

Evo

You're Diabetic? http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/diabetic.htm

Monique

Let's not speculate too much, it should be clear it is better to have it checked out by a professional who can judge the situation. It's always good to have your eyes checked once in a while, so the visit will be worth while.

Ms Music

Yes, typically a black dot(s) in the vision is from blood in the eye. It can be caused from diabetes, or some other things. The only way to have it removed is to have the vitreous sucked out and replaced with a gel, which isn't a good thing. Please go to a doctor!

Monique

Well, I finally saw an ophthalmologist today and my eyes are fine. Apparently the spot I'm seeing is a spot of pigment that most people have on their eyes, but since it is present from your birth most people don't see it. Only when you become aware of it you will keep seeing it