What Are Floaters?
Eye floaters are spots that appear in your vision. They may look like black or gray specks, strings, or cobwebs that drift across your eye and appear to dart away when you try to look at them directly. Floaters may be a result of age-related changes that occur as the jelly-like substance (vitreous) inside your eyes becomes more liquid. Microscopic fibers within the vitreous tend to clump and can cast tiny shadows on your retina. The shadows you see are called floaters.
A sudden increase or development of eye floaters may be a symptom of an emergency that requires prompt attention.
Treatment
Any underlying cause of the floaters, diabetes, or inflammation will be treated. However, although eye floaters can be frustrating, and adjusting to them can take time, most eye floaters don't require treatment. Once you know the floaters will not cause any more problems, you may eventually be able to ignore them or notice them less often.
If your floaters impair your vision, which happens rarely, you and your eye doctor may consider treatment. Options may include:
Vitrectomy- This procedure removes the vitreous through a small incision and replaces it with a solution to help maintain its shape. Surgery does not guarantee the removal of all floaters and new floaters may develop after surgery.
Laser Surgery to Treat Floaters- This procedure works to make floaters less noticeable by aiming a special laser at the vitreous to break up the floaters. Some people who have this treatment report improved vision; others notice little or no difference.
If you are looking to get rid of your floaters schedule an appointment at Seeta Eye to talk with our retinal specialist to discuss the options and risks involved with floater surgery.
