Is this a sign of a stroke?

September 2, 2024 1:00 PM

My grandma had a stroke last year. She recovered well, otherwise healthy, pretty active, lives alone. I visited her today, and she says she sees "twigs" in one eye. They're like bunches of reeds, one on each side of her eye. She sees them only with her eyes open and when she has her gaze fixed on something. Her other eye is fine. It's 10pm. Eye doctor tomorrow, or ER today? She won't go to the ER unless she's at immediate risk of another stroke.
posted by toucan to Health & Fitness (3 answers total)

No idea about a stroke, but new or sudden floaters which can include lines/threads/twigs are a sign of a retinal tear. That is indeed an emergency if she wants to keep her sight.
posted by peppercorn at 1:06 PM on September 2 [10 favorites]

It definitely sounds similar to the symptoms of a retinal tear or partial detachment, which are medical emergencies. If that's what it is, it's a blindness risk and it's time-sensitive. If I were in your shoes I'd head to the ER tonight just in case.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 1:30 PM on September 2 [6 favorites]

It is likely to be a detached vitreous rather than a detached retina. Seeing bands/lines/floaters is typical of this. It is age-related (just had my left eye do this a month ago). If there are dark bands or spots where she sees nothing, that is more indicative of a detached retina, which is more concerning.

You should follow up with an ophthalmologist either way.
posted by XtineHutch at 6:30 AM on September 3