Vitreous Floaters
Vision Floaters
Vision floaters are those annoying little specks that float across our field of vision. They come in many different shapes and are more noticeable when looking at a white piece of paper or a blue sky. The shapes are actually the shadows of small pieces of debris. You may be wondering if floaters in the eye are harmless or a sign of a serious eye condition. This was our concern as well when my husband had a sudden increase in the numbers of floaters as well as some flashes of light.
Floaters in the EyeThe vitreous humor is a clear gel-like substance that is composed mostly of water and gives the eye its shape and form.It fills the space between the lens and the retina (80% of the volume of the eyeball) which lines the back of the eye and helps to keep the retina in place by pressing it against the choroid, a layer of the retina made up of blood vessels.
There are millions of fine fibers in the vitreous. These fibers attach to the surface of the retina. What Causes Eye Floaters?
As we age, the vitreous shrinks and it becomes more liquid. As it shrinks, these fibers that are attached to the retina pull away from the retinal surface and separate from the retina. This can cause vitreous floaters. The aqueous humor, the fluid in the front part of the eye, is continuously replenished. However, the gel in the vitreous body is not. Therefore, if debris from these tiny breaks in the retina get into the vitreous humor, these floaters will remain there. This debris or tiny specks of tissue are called vitreous floaters. They may look like dots, dust, cob webs or strings in your vision. You are actually seeing the shadow of this debris as light is cast onto your retina. They can be annoying and interfere with your reading. However, most ophthalmologists consider them harmless and a normal sign of aging. Over 50% of people over the age of 70 experience floaters. Floaters can occur just in one eye or both eyes. When there is a sudden increase in the number of floaters, contact your eye doctor right away as it can be a sign of a more serious retinal problem. That's what my husband did, and after a visit to the ophthalmologist and then with a retina specialist, it was determined that indeed his floaters were not the result of any retinal detachment and no treatment was needed. Treatment for FloatersMost ophthalmologists consider vitreous floaters harmless and there is no conventional treatment provided for them. In severe cases a vitrectomy is indicated. Many times the number of floaters will decrease or fade over time as was the case for my husband.Complementary treatment using nutrition and supplements is suggested by Dr. Marc Grossman, optometrist, acupuncturist, and author. He offers free telephone consults and offers high quality eye supplements along with nutritional advice. If this interests you click here: Vision Health Treatment Options & Nutrient Recommendations Vitrectomy ProcedureA vitrectomy is the surgical removal of the vitreous. After a vitrectomy, the vitreous is replaced by silicone oil or a gas is injected into the eye. The procedure is performed in an operating room under local or (occasionally) general anesthesia. It can often be done as an outpatient procedure. During a vitrectomy, the surgeon inserts small instruments into the eye, cuts the vitreous gel, and suctions it out. After removing the vitreous gel, the surgeon may treat the retina with laser (photocoagulation), cut or remove fibrous or scar tissue from the retina, flatten areas where the retina has become detached, or repair tears or holes in the retina or macula. This procedure is used to treat: 1) Complications or bleeding from diabetic eye disease 2) Retinal detachment 3) Clouding of the vitreous jelly from one of many causes including blood, inflammatory debris or infection that does not clear on its own after several months 4) Macular Hole 5) Epiretinal membrane 6) A foreign body which has entered or passed through the eye 7) Intraocular infections (endophthalmitis) 8) Vitreous changes following cataract surgery which may play a role in causing swelling of the center of vision in the retina with decreased sight 9) Repair large tears in the retina 10) Treat severe proliferative retinopathy that causes severe scar tissue formation or 11) Treat neovascularization or new blood vessel growth on the retina A vitrectomy is done by an ophthalmologist who is specially trained in treating problems of the retina. For More Information:
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