eye floaters - learn to live with it?

[fh2000]

I just reached 60. Still working. I noticed a floater in my left eye last week. At first, I thought it was my unclean eye-glasses or something in my eye.

I went to see an ophthalmologist. He dilated my eyes and looked into both eyes. It appears only the floater in my left eye is the issue. No other problems. He declared that my other good eye will soon develop floaters. Right now, no treatment is necessary. This is just normal ageing.

I saw youtube that some doctors can use laser to zap away floaters. I am not sure how risky it is. I guess I will just wait and see as long as it does not affect my normal life. It is just an annoyance at this point.

 

[Amethyst]

I've had eye floaters since my 30's. They are the result of the tissue at the back of the eye shrinking and, yes, wrinkling with age. My eye doctor says there is nothing that can be done for this type of floater. There may be other kinds that can be treated.

 

[Bestwifeever]

I have some pretty bad big floaters, but was advised by the ophthalmologist that the laser treatment to break the worst of them up will most likely just split them into a lot of little floaters--they will still be floating around in the vitreous humour that fills the eyeball. So for me, a few big floaters or a ton of little ones; I'm avoiding any procedures that might open up a bigger can of floaters.

 

[RobbieB]

I have them also, you get used to them eventually.

 

[Dawg52]

I had a strange occurrence 2-3 weeks ago. One afternoon in my right eye I saw what looked like a little gray box in upper left corner. Could not see through it and it would roll up if I looked up. Had it the rest of the day but the next morning it was gone. Happened again a couple of days later. Has not appeared since. I do have cataracts so I'm thinking maybe related to that. Also my doc is keeping an eye on glaucoma, although on my last visit he said my eyes seem to be holding steady and no med's(eye drops) are required.

I have an appointment later in the month and will tell him about my short term problem. Overall I see great. No problems with night vision either. But I'm sure it's all down hill from here.

 

[Bir48die]

I have them also, you get used to them eventually.

+1

 

[Amethyst]

My eye Dr. has explained several scary - but temporary, thank God - vision issues as typically stemming from dry eyes, which unfortunately is yet another part of aging. Also, it's a hazard of too much screen time. There are dry eye drops, and you can also just remember to close your eyes more when looking at the screen (not if it's in the car that you're driving, though!!)

I had a strange occurrence 2-3 weeks ago. One afternoon in my right eye I saw what looked like a little gray box in upper left corner. Could not see through it and it would roll up if I looked up. Had it the rest of the day but the next morning it was gone. Happened again a couple of days later. Has not appeared since. I do have cataracts so I'm thinking maybe related to that. Also my doc is keeping an eye on glaucoma, although on my last visit he said my eyes seem to be holding steady and no med's(eye drops) are required.

I have an appointment later in the month and will tell him about my short term problem. Overall I see great. No problems with night vision either. But I'm sure it's all down hill from here.

 

[MBAustin]

I've had large (at least they seem large to me) floaters for many years and they did get worse a few years ago, but my optometrist also said they are not harmful and there is no good way to get rid of them.

 

[bclover]

another gal with floaters. the risk imo to get rid of them is not worth it. I roll my eye around a few times and they usually float out of my line of vision

 

[Ronstar]

I've had floaters for 30-40 years. It was alarming at first, but I'm used to them now and it doesn't seem like they are getting bigger.

 

[Sojourner]

I have them also, you get used to them eventually.

+1

I've had them for at least 20 years (mostly in my right eye), and every year I've gotten more and more used to them.

 

[MRG]

I've had them all my life, at least since age 6. They got a little worse after cataract surgery now 6 months later I'm used to them.

 

[Walt34]

Another one here, since my 30's or so. I just get used to it.

 

[eytonxav]

I've had floaters for several years in both eyes, but that was nothing compared to developing an epie-retinal membrane problem in my right eye. It does appear like a very large floater moving around (up and down mostly), and since I had cataract surgery recently it became even more noticeable and distracting. The retina specialist wanted me to have cataract surgery before trying to deal the ERM. I have an appointment in August for a recheck, but I've heard a lot of negatives about trying to have such membrane surgically peeled off. I think these membranes and floaters are related; not sure if they are the result of a PVD.

 

[KCGeezer]

I've also had floaters since my early 30's. The only procedure the doc said was feasible was to drain the fluid, remove the floaters and replace the fluid. There's a 20-30% risk of ending up with a detached retina. I'll stick with the relatively minor annoyance thank you very much.

 

[Ian S]

I have them also, you get used to them eventually.

I have them and agree. Minor nuisance at most. However, I see an ophthalmologist yearly and always mention any new ones so he can check them out

 

[Dawg52]

My eye Dr. has explained several scary - but temporary, thank God - vision issues as typically stemming from dry eyes, which unfortunately is yet another part of aging. Also, it's a hazard of too much screen time. There are dry eye drops, and you can also just remember to close your eyes more when looking at the screen (not if it's in the car that you're driving, though!!)

I do have dry eye issues on occasion. About a year ago at an exam, the girl who does the pre-exam said my eyes were dry and gave me a few samples. I haven't been good at using drops even though I can tell my eyes are dry. I did use some not long after this episode and that may have helped in clearing up the problem. I need to get into a routine of using drops a couple of times a day.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[nubill]

I need to get into a routine of using drops a couple of times a day.

After complaining to my Primary Care Physician about my eyes and using the cheap eyedrops that he recommended, I was finally referred to an Ophthalmologist. He suggested that I use lubricated eye drops from Refresh Optive. The drops feel "oily" but they last longer. Eyes feel better now. My only complaint is they are in plastic containers with twist off caps. I have presbyopia and it's hard to tell how much drops are left in the tube. I also have to put my glasses on to put the cap back on. Same problem with getting into a routine now that I figured how to put the cap back on.

 

[imoldernu]

1972... working long hours in a new job.
Tired... saw some things hanging inside my left eye.
Hey! What did I know? Called an eye doctor.

"Doctor! I think I have a detached retina! Should I come in?"

"Yes... Right away. Don't drive... get someone to drive you, but get here as fast as you can!"

OMG... No one around. Called a taxi, and at all possible speed raced to the doctor's office. He laughed... "It's just a few floaters! Nothing to worry about."

Yeah... easy for him to say. $25 for the visit, and $7.50 for the taxi.Not a big joke in 1972. Wife and four kids.

Serious? You betcha!.

Now I can check WebMD.

 

[RobbieB]

That's funny!

I got one for you. I was having some chest pains so I go to the local "no appointment" place, just walk in and tell them. Next thing my shirt is off and they are sticking stickers all over me and hooking them up to a machine.

It was heartburn and they gave me a script for Tagamet. Which is now over the counter -

 

[Dawg52]

That's funny!

I got one for you. I was having some chest pains so I go to the local "no appointment" place, just walk in and tell them. Next thing my shirt is off and they are sticking stickers all over me and hooking them up to a machine.

It was heartburn and they gave me a script for Tagamet. Which is now over the counter -

That's the thing, all the commercials tell you to not to mess around. Get to the ER. Then when you find out its just gas you feel like a fool. On the other hand I had a friend dog around and wait too long. By time he got to the ER it was too late as he was having a massive heart attack. Better to err on the safe side.

 

[HFWR]

Yep, and tinnitus, too.

 

[Lakewood90712]

Have had floaters starting mid 30's they come and go. Very disturbing till the optho explained them. Don't even think of the these days.

 

[ls99]

Heh, if really bored try to "focus" on a floater an follow it. Kind of like giving a kid a short and curly hair and tell them to straighten it.

 

[MRG]

Heh, if really bored try to "focus" on a floater an follow it. Kind of like giving a kid a short and curly hair and tell them to straighten it.

That's how I spent my days in grade school. Watching floaters, not straightening curly hair. I named one(Larry).