A&E

Yesterday was my second time in one month or so of having flashes of light in my eyes. Usually sudden flashes of light warrants a visit to A&E as it may indicate retinal detachment. I had it around one month ago on my right eye when I was eating breakfast. I thought it was just due to lack of sleep since I just woke up at 5am to go to office. I did consider going to A&E but decided not to when the flashes stopped after I took a shower. It happened again yesterday and I tried to reason that perhaps I overexerted at gym. Although it also stopped on its own, it was on the left eye and it was wider field of vision.

I made the right decision to get the A&E referral from WhiteCoat and hence everything was covered by my company insurance policy today. I went to Mount Elizabeth Novena A&E since I planned to use my private insurance if indeed I had retinal detachment and needed surgery. Going via A&E also meant the hospital could arrange the appointment with an eye specialist immediately. Otherwise, I would not know which specialist is suitable or if they even allow a walk in booking at such a short notice.

There was no other patient when I arrived in A&E at around 8am. The triage nurse did not waste time to do the usual BP and temperature check and quickly arranged for appointment with eye specialist after I told her my symptoms. My appointment was at 930am and the doctor only arrived at 1020am -_- The doctor went to check twice: through the device and then without the device, to confirm that my retina is ok. Fiuh.. thank God again... On one side, I am relieved and grateful that nothing happens and no surgery is needed. On the other side, it means I will continue living with all these floaters and worry whenever I get the flashes of light again. Oh well.. nothing can be done naturally about these floaters or risk of retinal detachment so I can only pray and surrender everything to God.

I considered of going to lunch time Mass at Novena after my lunch but I decided not to take the risk. It was still 45 minutes away while my eyes were still under the effect of pupil dilators. I think I made the right decision since I reached home within 45 minutes haha.. Anway, the A&E visit did not stop me from going for the ID appointment earlier lol.

Four years ago I went for a similar check up alone so I was not worried about doing it again alone today. However, it was my first A&E experience alone.