Has anyone dealt with exercising after an eye injury?

mdcoug

About a week ago I was sitting on the side of a volleyball court, looking at my phone during a break (insert woo here) in between games for my daughter and was hit square in the eye with an errant volleyball. I've gone to the optometrist after seeing some light flashes and floaters. Good news is the retina is still in tact, bad news is no lifting or even circuit training for a week or two until things work their way out. I guess I'll just stick to walking on the treadmill? I'm so scared to do anything to damage my eyesight!

AnnPT77

Sensible choice to hold off.

I didn't have an injury per se, but did have posterior vitreous detachment with retinal tearing (not the same as retinal detachment) followed by bleeding, in each eye, 3 months apart. (It's a common consequence of being very nearsighted and old - I'm 62.) Mine was bad enough to need laser (left) and cryotherapy (right) immediately, so the exercise hiatus was only a few days after treatment.

If you see floaty dark spots or streaks, an eclipse effect, or tissue-like floaters, go back ASAP. Laser/cryo wasn't comfortable while it was happening, but only minor irritation for a pretty short time after. Long term, vision from my sort of thing can be expected to return to normal, but if there's bleeding it can take varying amounts of time to clear depending on the location. (The blood needs to diffuse/dissipate, with time or surgically.)

I do very vigorous exercise now, and have done so regularly since being cleared to do it. It's been a couple or three years now, no problems with exercise.

I understand the anxiety all too well. Best wishes for smooth recovery!

cwolfman13

AnnPT77 wrote: »

Sensible choice to hold off.

I didn't have an injury per se, but did have posterior vitreous detachment with retinal tearing (not the same as retinal detachment) followed by bleeding, in each eye, 3 months apart. (It's a common consequence of being very nearsighted and old - I'm 62.) Mine was bad enough to need laser (left) and cryotherapy (right) immediately, so the exercise hiatus was only a few days after treatment.

If you see floaty dark spots or streaks, an eclipse effect, or tissue-like floaters, go back ASAP. Laser/cryo wasn't comfortable while it was happening, but only minor irritation for a pretty short time after. Long term, vision from my sort of thing can be expected to return to normal, but if there's bleeding it can take varying amounts of time to clear depending on the location. (The blood needs to diffuse/dissipate, with time or surgically.)

I do very vigorous exercise now, and have done so regularly since being cleared to do it. It's been a couple or three years now, no problems with exercise.

I understand the anxiety all too well. Best wishes for smooth recovery!

Oh great...so I probably have that to look forward to. I'm -8.00 in my right and -7.50 in my left.

AnnPT77

cwolfman13 wrote: »

AnnPT77 wrote: »

Sensible choice to hold off.

I didn't have an injury per se, but did have posterior vitreous detachment with retinal tearing (not the same as retinal detachment) followed by bleeding, in each eye, 3 months apart. (It's a common consequence of being very nearsighted and old - I'm 62.) Mine was bad enough to need laser (left) and cryotherapy (right) immediately, so the exercise hiatus was only a few days after treatment.

If you see floaty dark spots or streaks, an eclipse effect, or tissue-like floaters, go back ASAP. Laser/cryo wasn't comfortable while it was happening, but only minor irritation for a pretty short time after. Long term, vision from my sort of thing can be expected to return to normal, but if there's bleeding it can take varying amounts of time to clear depending on the location. (The blood needs to diffuse/dissipate, with time or surgically.)

I do very vigorous exercise now, and have done so regularly since being cleared to do it. It's been a couple or three years now, no problems with exercise.

I understand the anxiety all too well. Best wishes for smooth recovery!

Oh great...so I probably have that to look forward to. I'm -8.00 in my right and -7.50 in my left.

Then, in your case, if you see spark showers, light flashes or any of the symptoms in my PP, get to an eye doctor ASAP. But don't worry: 'Common' isn't 'universal'.

Aging: The only thing worse is the actual alternative.