![]() Not treating but just observing is still the most common course for most people with new floaters. More recently that has changed with the advent of new technology and new techniques for their removal. The risk and inconvenience of surgery and recovery were far worse than living with the floaters. Traditionally, vitreous floaters have been considered a benign nuisance and unless associated with vision loss, no treatment was offered. What are the treatments for vitreous floaters? These respond best with Floaters only Vitrectomy, (see below). These appear like cotton balls or sometimes shower curtain like opacities in the eye. In these cases the collagen fibers in the vitreous break down centrally and then reform in clumps creating fibrous floaters. These floaters are not always associated with a posterior vitreous detachment, especially in younger patients. These often start to develop at a younger age and get worse becoming problematic as early as ones thirties or forties. Myopic Floaters (associated with a near-sited eye) are often the most troublesome for patients. These symptoms warrant urgent evaluation. It usually presents with light sensitivity and blurred vision in addition to the floaters. These would include infection, parasites, autoimmune conditions, trauma, and some cancers. Uveitis, which is an inflammation in the eye, can be caused by a number of conditions. This usually presents as a sudden onset of red or black floaters, possibly with significantly decreased vision. Vitreous hemorrhage can occur from several conditions including a retinal tear, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, severe cases of macular degeneration, trauma, and other conditions. They only become bothersome later in life when the vitreous jelly collapses or melts and the floaters start moving around significantly and coalesce centrally into dense clumps. These develop suspended uniformly in the vitreous. Other causes of new floaters include asteroid hyalosis, a benign condition with the development of yellow crystalline opacities in the vitreous. New floaters, and/or flashing lights, should be evaluated by your eye Of course, the main concern when new vitreous floaters develop is that it might be associated with a new retinal tear, and, hence, a possible subsequent retinal detachment. Even if the retinal tear is repaired, the blood left in the eye can stain the translucent vitreous floaters and make them more opaque which makes them more bothersome. Bleeding may occur when the vitreous peels off the optic nerve or causes a retinal tear. These floaters can be quite bothersome because of the sharp shadows they cast on the retina. Sometimes the vitreous will only partially peel off the back wall of the eye (or retina), and floaters may get stuck in the visual axis or the center of the vision. The problem occurs when the floaters don't become translucent and don't settle. Some residual floaters can be seen for life. The floaters often subside starting within a few days, and all but a few settle to the bottom of the eye and disappear within a 6-month period. ![]() The vitreous gel usually then melts or liquefies over the next several weeks to months. ![]() It is sometimes associated with some flashing lights. The patient may notice this as a large cobweb floater or multiple string-type floaters when it occurs. Eventually the vitreous collapses and peels away from the retina which is on the back wall of the eye. It turns into liquid centrally as a person gets older. The vitreous (liquid and gel in the center of the eye) is mostly solid at age 10. ![]() The most common cause of vitreous floaters is from a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). Vitreous floaters are very common and for most people are nothing more than a nuisance. Most importantly, the risk of complications is reduced. Small instrument surgery allows an easier, quicker surgery as well as a more comfortable and quick recovery. With the advent of new, small instrument surgery, treatment of vitreous floaters is now a more reasonable choice. In the past, procedures to alleviate the floaters had relatively high rates of complications, and it took a significant time to recover. However, complaints of vitreous floaters were often passed over or dismissed by practitioners. Please visit for more detailed information! Vitreous floaters can be a frustrating and even a debilitating condition for many people.
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