Are You Bothered by Floaters?
Floaters are small particles located inside the vitreous "jelly" that casts a shadow on the retina. The vitreous is a gel-like substance that comprises about 80% of the eye structure.
As we "mature" (no one likes to be told "you're aging"!), the vitreous can separate into strings or clumps that cause a shadow to be cast, which are perceived as floaters.
Floaters usually are more annoying than actually problematic. It is important to have an eye exam to establish that you are seeing floaters and not an early symptom of a retinal detachment. If you indeed are noticing floaters, it is common for them be pronounced and noticeable at first. With time they can settle at the bottom of the eye are become less frequently noticeable. However, if floaters persist then laser vitreolysis may be an option to help decrease this annoyance.
Image of Floaters |
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The Laser for Floater Procedure - Laser Vitreolysis
This minimally invasive procedure uses a special laser (Nd:YAG), which can reduce the floaters and can reduce their presence in vision. The Nd:Yag laser has been regularly utilized in ophthalmology for other eye procedures since the early 1980’s and was developed in the mid-1960’s. The laser energy is manually focused on the floater.
There is another procedure to remove floaters which is an invasive surgery called a vitrectomy. A vitrectomy removes and replaces the vitreous (jelly-like substance) in the eye. This procedure was reserved for patients who had a loss of vision due to very large persistent floaters due to the risk and complications associated with the surgery include risk of retina detachment and cataract development.
Complications can occur with the laser floater procedure. However, with any procedure there are possible risks. Some of the reported risks/complications in medical literature are: elevated eye pressure, retinal tear or detachment, hemorrhage, increased floaters or cataract. Although these are possible complications/ risks a thorough search of medical literature reveals relatively low occurrence of any complication. It is estimated that less than 1% of patients treated have a reported long-term complication. Approximately 15% may have a temporary pressure increase or increased floaters which resolve with time and management after the treatment.
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