Eye Floaters

[Moparguy392]

I began to develop "eye floaters" several years ago. I visited an Ophthalmologist who said they may be a nuisance but are not harmful in my case. They are very distracting during the day, however Obviously not so much at night. Dr. Google mentions a couple of procedures:

Vitrectomy: A surgery that removes and replaces the vitreous through a small incision. You should be aware that this surgery is not foolproof. Sometimes the surgery will get rid of all the floaters, but new floaters can still develop.

Vitreolysis: For this treatment option, a doctor will use a special laser to reduce or remove the particles in the vitreous that cause floaters.

Has anyone experienced these procedures? How are you handling "floaters" if you have them? I notice them more at times than others but they never go away.

 

[easysurfer]

I began having light flashes and floaters about 2 years ago. My Ophthalmologist pretty much said what yours did. The floaters are more noticeable at times than others and in time the brain gets more use to them so tunes them out to an extent.

I'm too am interested about the procedures you mentioned. No first hand experience though. The Vitrectomy scares me a bit too much. As for the laser to blast the floaters, don't think I'd quality as too many light flashes.

Youtube has some good discussions on the procedures you mentioned.

 

[popntx]

I had a vitrectomy done about a year ago in one eye due to very large floaters that were beyond annoying. They actually interfered with my vision. Procedure was relatively simple and painless. Had to wear a patch for a couple of days, then eye drops for a couple of weeks then back to normal. No more floaters. I’m glad I had it done.

 

[MRG]

I had a vitrectomy last year for a large floater that blocked a good portion of my vision. I was told the recovery was similar to cataract procedures that I had. Limited lifting and a couple of days with a patch, steroid drops several times a day for a couple of weeks. That was true for me.

For me, the procedure was simply amazing. Not only did I lose the floater that blocked my vision, but my new vitreous is clear! There were several places, including a favorite restaurant that I couldn't see well in, like not recognizing people I knew from a short distance. According to my surgeon, my old vitreous was "gunky."

 

[luckydude]

I began to develop "eye floaters" several years ago. I visited an Ophthalmologist who said they may be a nuisance but are not harmful in my case. They are very distracting during the day, however Obviously not so much at night. Dr. Google mentions a couple of procedures:

Vitrectomy: A surgery that removes and replaces the vitreous through a small incision. You should be aware that this surgery is not foolproof. Sometimes the surgery will get rid of all the floaters, but new floaters can still develop.

Vitreolysis: For this treatment option, a doctor will use a special laser to reduce or remove the particles in the vitreous that cause floaters.

Has anyone experienced these procedures? How are you handling "floaters" if you have them? I notice them more at times than others but they never go away.

I first got eye floaters in my early 30s when I was kicked in the face during a martial arts sparring session. 20 years on I still have them. They don't bother me at all, and as safe as laser surgeries may be nowadays, I just don't think it's worth the risk to have them removed.

 

[MRG]

One thing I forgot was that surgeons won't do the procedure until you demonstrate what the problem is, and they observe it causing problems for over six months. In my case, she was able to see my floater blocking vision, but that isn't always the case.

 

[captain3d]

If you ever have a sudden burst of new floaters it is a sign your retina detached/tore and should be seen to immediately.

 

[VanWinkle]

If you ever have a sudden burst of new floaters it is a sign your retina detached/tore and should be seen to immediately.

+1 I had this happen 3 years ago and being seen immediately helped save further damage. The tear was "spot welded" back together with a laser and
no further problems.

 

[freedomatlast]

Been living with floaters for the past decade. Not bad enough yet to warrant any procedures as they are not obstructing my vision to any great degree.

 

[target2019]

I began to develop "eye floaters" several years ago. I visited an Ophthalmologist who said they may be a nuisance but are not harmful in my case. They are very distracting during the day, however Obviously not so much at night. Dr. Google mentions a couple of procedures:

Vitrectomy: A surgery that removes and replaces the vitreous through a small incision. You should be aware that this surgery is not foolproof. Sometimes the surgery will get rid of all the floaters, but new floaters can still develop.

Vitreolysis: For this treatment option, a doctor will use a special laser to reduce or remove the particles in the vitreous that cause floaters.

Has anyone experienced these procedures? How are you handling "floaters" if you have them? I notice them more at times than others but they never go away.

As you've read here and elsewhere some get a vitrectomy. My Ophthalmologist (s) do not recommend that procedure for my case. So, if you trust your Ophthalmologist, then you'd go with their recommendation for you.

Things you read on social media or get from a search engine can be 1) scientific and medically accurate, 2) nice stories, or 3) sometimes just bad advice for your particular situation.

I've been close to the field for over 40 years, so I hear a lot of eyeball stories. That includes three generations of ophthalmologists from various locations around the globe. My primary-care ophthalmologist is the youngest, so it is just not old surgeons who don't want to do this. I think the major concern is that vitrectomy is a one-way street, so...exercise lots of caution. That's not a knock on any advice, necessarily.

 

[Rianne]

As you've read here and elsewhere some get a vitrectomy. My Ophthalmologist (s) do not recommend that procedure for my case. So, if you trust your Ophthalmologist, then you'd go with their recommendation for you.

Things you read on social media or get from a search engine can be 1) scientific and medically accurate, 2) nice stories, or 3) sometimes just bad advice for your particular situation.

I've been close to the field for over 40 years, so I hear a lot of eyeball stories. That includes three generations of ophthalmologists from various locations around the globe. My primary-care ophthalmologist is the youngest, so it is just not old surgeons who don't want to do this. I think the major concern is that vitrectomy is a one-way street, so...exercise lots of caution. That's not a knock on any advice, necessarily.

I was thinking about my ophthalmologist this morning, the one who did my cataract surgery in Feb. I still have floaters in the right eye, I can deal with them, but the right eye feels like I have a hard contact lens in there. Left eye perfect! I went to the optometrist in the same health system and he ordered another round of prednisone drops and I'm tapering off of them now. That pesky contact feeling is still there. It's not awful but annoying. I'm concerned something will permanently mess up my cornea.

 

[badatmath]

My doctor commented on how bad mine are in one eye but has not suggested a fix (nor have I asked for one). Mine are definitely noticeable when they examine me. IME it does not get better. Sometimes I have good days where they seem less active but returns to baseline of not so good days. So far other eye has no issues.

 

[pacergal]

I have had floaters in my right eye for years. Dr discovered a small tear/hole in my retina on exam a few years ago, however, it had healed itself, and I, thankfully, did not need laser surgery that day.
Now it is watched carefully and any change in floaters is an immediate visit.
The floaters are not bothersome, only notice them at night if my eyes are tired.

 

[captain3d]

+1 I had this happen 3 years ago and being seen immediately helped save further damage. The tear was "spot welded" back together with a laser and

no further problems.

Same with my wife.

 

[target2019]

I was thinking about my ophthalmologist this morning, the one who did my cataract surgery in Feb. I still have floaters in the right eye, I can deal with them, but the right eye feels like I have a hard contact lens in there. Left eye perfect! I went to the optometrist in the same health system and he ordered another round of prednisone drops and I'm tapering off of them now. That pesky contact feeling is still there. It's not awful but annoying. I'm concerned something will permanently mess up my cornea.

That's unfortunate.

Just had my first lesson on how small the intraocular lens is. Is your's about 1/4 inch? I can understand how that would be uncomfortable if everything does not go perfect.

Hope that prednisone takes care of it. If not, it's back to the ophthalmologist. I was told that people may use lubricating drops. Did you hear that?

Take care.

 

[folivier]

A few weeks ago in my right eye I had flashes and floaters develop on a Saturday. Since I was seeing my eye doc on Monday for a 3 month followup after cataract surgery I waited. I did speak with another optometrist on Sunday and she said it looks ok for now.
My eye doc (surgeon) on Monday sent me next door to a retina specialist who was able to work me in that morning. Have a detached vitreous, thankfully not the retina.
Yesterday I had the left eye "polished" and will see the retina doc in a couple weeks to get a clearance for the right eye "polishing."
Still have floaters in the right eye but no flashes.
Nothing's simple.

 

[tutan]

I've had floaters as long as I can remember. When I was much younger, I used to pay more attention to them but not so much now. I figured it was a common condition. A few years back, this topic came up in a luncheon conversion at work, a colleague was incredulous about having floaters. He had never heard about let alone seen them. Lucky him. But thanks to you all, I should pay more attention to them now.

 

[Koolau]

If you ever have a sudden burst of new floaters it is a sign your retina detached/tore and should be seen to immediately.

Yep, especially if you see something like a lattice or lace curtain effect over your eye sight. Had that and got right in for a cryogenic treatment (only for front half of eyeball.) Fixed me right up.

I've had floaters most of my life and all my eye docs have said "get used to them" but YMMV.

 

[Rianne]

That's unfortunate.

Just had my first lesson on how small the intraocular lens is. Is your's about 1/4 inch? I can understand how that would be uncomfortable if everything does not go perfect.

Hope that prednisone takes care of it. If not, it's back to the ophthalmologist. I was told that people may use lubricating drops. Did you hear that?

Take care.

I'm using lubrication drops. That feeling is intermittent in the right eye. Again, the left eye is perfect. Some say it can take 3 months for eyes to be completely healed after cataract surgery. I'll give it some more time.

 

[itsme2]

Contact your local NUCCA doctor

It could be an issue with your upper cervical out of alignment. NUCCA doctor can help. No surgery needed. They just do some minor adjustment on your C1 and C2.

Here is where you may find the doctor: https://nucca.org/directory/

Here is an article explaining the situation: https://www.losangelesuppercervical...l-chiropractic-can-treat-visual-disturbances/

 

[JBTX]

If you are going to have cataract surgery anyway in the future is it easier to get floaters fixed too? Mine are large enough they can be pretty distracting when in sunlight and driving.

 

[Marita40]

I got a big one in one eye about a year ago and it really annoyed me. Eye doc said it might go away--some do, some don't. I was doubtful but just about a month ago I realized it was indeed gone.

 

[Palmtree]

I got a very large one in my eye back in August. It was like viewing the world through a flat black spider. I immediately went to my eye doctor. No retinal tear thankfully but they did say it would eventually decrease and I would probably not notice it anymore. It's now June and it's still there but a lot smaller.

 

[skyking1]

If you are going to have cataract surgery anyway in the future is it easier to get floaters fixed too? Mine are large enough they can be pretty distracting when in sunlight and driving.

My understanding is they do clean them up when they do the cataract surgery.
I have a few and when I'm in just the right conditions against the right background you can really see them.
lt's pretty likely that I'll end up with cataract surgery. We'll see if I can wait it out.

 

[Teacher Terry]

My eye doctor told me that I had a lot of floaters and that once I had cataract surgery I would probably notice them more because my vision would be better and that’s what happened. I notice them the most when I am driving.