Can Laser Eye Surgery Remove Floaters?
Floaters are little specks or threads that tend to drift across your vision. Often, they are harmless and don’t pose any serious danger to the individual. However, if they persist and increase in number, they can interfere with your sight.
In this case, you will need medical intervention and probably laser surgery to remove or reduce the floaters for clearer vision and to ease the discomfort.
What Causes Floaters?
Some common causes of floaters are;
Ageing ‐ As we age, the vitreous shrinks and liquefies. This process causes it to pull away from the retina and clump together, forming floaters.
Inflammation ‐ Inflammation in the eye, such as uveitis, can cause debris to form in the vitreous, leading to floaters.
Bleeding in the eye ‐ Conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or injuries can cause blood vessels in the eye to bleed. The blood cells can be seen as floaters.
Retinal tears ‐ A tear in the retina can lead to bleeding into the vitreous, creating floaters.
Eye surgeries and medications ‐ Certain procedures or medications injected into the vitreous can cause air bubbles. These can appear as shadows or floaters until absorbed by the eye.
As mentioned above, floaters are usually not harmful and are a common part of ageing. However, if you notice a sudden increase in their number, especially if accompanied by other symptoms like flashes of light or losing your side view, it could be a sign of a serious issue.
Contact your eye specialist immediately for assessment and treatment.
Can Laser Eye Surgery Remove Floaters?
The simple answer is yes, laser eye surgery for floaters, specifically called Laser Vitreolysis, uses a laser to target and break up the floaters in the vitreous (the clear gel that fills the eye).
Typically, a highly focused beam of light is targeted at the floaters during the procedure. This light then converts into heat when it hits the floaters, causing them to dissolve or shrink.
Note that this treatment may not be for everyone. Generally, it is best suitable for patients with large, bothersome floaters. Make sure to consult a certified and experienced eye doctor who will examine your eyes and determine if the laser procedure will be safe and effective for your specific case.
What to Expect During the Procedure
To ensure you are comfortable during the procedure, the doctor will apply numbing cream to help reduce pain. Using a laser device, he will then focus pulses of light through the pupil to the floaters carefully, ensuring no damage to the surrounding eye structures.
You might not feel anything, but it is common to see brief flashes of bright light, which occur as the laser hits the floaters. The whole process is pretty fast. Depending on the number of floaters and their size, it generally may last between 20 and 30 minutes.
Recovery from laser vitreolysis is usually quick and easy, especially if the process is successful with no serious complications. Following all your post-treatment instructions also ensures a smooth recovery process.
The downtime is short but you will need to attend follow-up visits for the doctor to monitor your healing progress and any signs of potential risks or complications.
Other Alternatives to Treat and Manage Floaters
While laser vitreolysis is an effective choice for treating floaters, there are other alternatives available. These options range from simple observational approaches to surgical interventions.
It all depends on the severity and effects of the floaters on a patient’s daily life.
Here is an overview of some other alternatives to treat and manage floaters;
Monitoring changes ‐ Regular eye exams are crucial to ensure that no underlying issues are causing the floaters.
Anti-inflammatory drugs ‐ If floaters are caused by inflammation (uveitis), doctors may prescribe corticosteroid eye drops or injections to reduce the inflammation and the floaters.
Vitrectomy ‐ This is a more invasive procedure where the vitreous gel, along with its floaters are removed and replaced with a saline solution. It is generally reserved for severe cases.
