IF you have ever looked into a light and then saw dots or squiggly lines in front of your eyes, you have experienced eye floaters. Those who have never had this experience are actually in the minority. Eye floaters occur in about 70% of the world’s population at least once in a lifetime, although many people experience them more often. They are the phenomenon which occurs when the gel-like substance in your iris forms clumps of proteins. The proteins stay in the eye until they disintegrate, and when they are hit by light, cast a shadow, which becomes the dots, squiggly lines, cobwebs, or even circle in your line of vision. They are normal and not at all harmful, until they affect your quality of life. The question on most people’s mind is, “how do I get rid of these floaters?”
Let The Eye Floaters Be
As mentioned above, eye floaters are shadows cast by proteins that typically disintegrate on their own. One of the most common treatments for this ailment is to do nothing. Most of the time, the proteins will go away on their own. This actually occurs rather quickly, in the grand scheme of things, and the problem is gone until the next one occurs, if ever. To help further the process of not having these eye floaters reappear, try to avoid looking into bright light. IF there is no light to cast a shadow, eye floaters will not occur. Most of the time, this is the most effective, and always the most cost-effective treatment available.
Surgical Options for Eye Floaters
Sometimes the eye floaters are the result of a more egregious issue and need a more severe option than nothing. There is an option that can help repair the issue, but it is a bit invasive and includes more dangerous side effects than the original problem at hand. This procedure is called a vitrectomy, wherein the doctor surgically removes the vitreous (gel-like fluid and replaces it with a salt solution. This will remove any potential floater issues no and in the future. However, the complications that may result fro the surgery include detached retina, torn retina, or even cataracts. While the risk of these complications occurring is relatively low, the reward may not be high enough for some to take the risk.
Laser Treatment for Eye Floaters
Finally, there is another option for those suffering from eye floaters. This is more severe than doing nothing, but not nearly as evasive as surgery. This laser treatment is called vitreolysis, a non-evasive, pain-free laser procedure that removes the issue causing the eye floaters: the protein clumps. This is an outpatient procedure that will help eliminate or reduce the protein clumps in the vitreous. This does not cure the issue and may require additional procedures in the future, however, if does allow the patient to return to normal activity fairly quickly.
If you are experiencing eye floaters that are affecting your daily activity, contact the eye experts at Rittenhouse Eye Associates at 215.525.6821. Their team of experts will examine your eye and discuss your option best suited to help you return to a more normal style of life.
