Question
My 62 year old husband was experiencing a flashing strobe-like light just to the right of his right eye for a couple of days. Then that stopped and there is now a black spot just off to his right. What do you think this is? Should he be seen by an ophthalmologist?
Answer
Yes, he definitely should be seen. Most likely this is a posterior vitreous detachment, very common around age 50 and 60. In itself, this type of detachment is not dangerous, but in the six or eight weeks surrounding the event, the person is at very high risk for a retinal tear or detachment (which is VERY serious) and so should be managed by an eye doctor during this time. He may need to be seen several times - once in the next day or two to be sure his retina has not torn yet, and then again at whatever interval the eye doctor recommends to check again.
