Floaters in my Eye
The most common symptom seen at many retina practices is the problem of a new eye floater. Patients often call in a panic related to this new symptom. There typically is no initial warning. Floaters can appear suddenly and out of nowhere. There sometimes can flashing light in the peripheral vision, typically at night. The symptoms worsen with eye movement. The floater moves around as the patient moves her eye up down and left and right. Nothing really seems to make it better or worse. There is not usually pain associated with the floater however there can be vague symptoms like pressure around the eye or the sensation of a very mild headache.
The reason that retina specialists become so concerned about eye floaters is related to the problems that can be associated with the most severe floaters. The floater can be the first sign of a process called a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). It is a normal aging process where the vitreous gel within the eye pulls away and separates from the retina. This process usually takes several weeks to finish. At the first separation, patients become symptomatic. As the vitreous gel pulls away from the retina, the gel can pull too hard and a retinal tear can form at the edge of the retina. This is especially important for patients with prior trauma or high nearsightedness (AKA myopia).
A retina specialist can be very helpful in this situation to examine the retina and identify any problems early on. As with everything in medicine, early intervention is key. Most of the time no retinal tear is found and the patient is reassured. Rarely a retinal tear is identified and a laser can be performed to barricade the tear so that it does not progress to a detachment. Even more rarely, a retinal detachment can be identified and treated early with modern techniques. Unfortunately should things progress to a retinal detachment, more invasive surgery is often necessary. In any of these situations, it is good to have a retina specialist on the team. Problems may arise after the first visit and more frequent follow-ups can be indicated. Typically a retina specialist will examine the patient at presentation and then several weeks later depending on findings at the initial examination. If laser or surgery is warranted this can be done in an emergent situation often within 24-48 hours.
Once the patient has completed a vitreous detachment, the odds for a retinal tear or detachment lessen quite a bit. It is just within the first several weeks when the patient is at most risk for these very severe eye problems. Unfortunately there is no way to tell over the phone the extent of the damage – if there is any damage at all. Sometimes patients with a retinal detachment will have very mild or minimal symptoms. In other situations, somebody with a floater alone (without any retinal tear or detachment) can have severe, debilitating symptoms.
Fortunately there is good treatment for eye floaters. There is both the surgical management of the floater and, now, laser office treatment for floaters. Both treatments are offered by Dr. Stelton. Surgical treatment for floaters involves a trip to the operating room to remove the vitreous gel and the eye floaters. The fluid removed is replaced it with a balanced salt solution. Eventually her eye feels up with a nice optically clear fluid which patients enjoy. Laser for floaters is a relatively new treatment that is now offered in the office. The laser can reduce the burden of the floaters and can remove a focal floater quite well. It has a similar side effect profile to the surgical treatment of floaters. Patients often enjoy in-office treatment rather than the trip to the operating room.
However very likely, for most patients, simple observation is warranted. Most patients will not require any treatment. Over time your brain and eyes adjust to the floater and symptoms will improve significantly. Most patients are happy with her final level of vision and do not require any intervention. Some very lucky people will no longer notice that her floater after several months. However it is nice to know there are good therapies for those patients who remain bothered by their floater.
If you feel that you are experiencing symptoms of a new eye floater, schedule a consultation today by calling 941-782-9202.