Treatment For "floaters" (black Specks In Eyes)

[Steve2UK]

Does anyone have any first-hand knowledge of any treatment available in LOS for "floaters" ? For those who don't recognise the term, it's when you get black specks or filaments in your eyes and they show up in your vision as dark blurry bits. They're tiny fragments that break away from the retina and "float" in the liquid/jelly of the eyeball - it's not a detached retina as such (for which there is laser surgery available).

When I developed them in one eye a few months back, I did some internet searching and there seemed to be a suggestion that a combination of massage and special exercises could help to move them out of vision but nothing really conclusive. So - does anyone know of anywhere in LOS offering something for the condition............. whether it's mainstream medicine or complementary techniques like acupuncture, massage, herbs etc?

I'm going to be based in Chiang Mai, so I'm already going to be checking out St Peter Eye Hospital there - but maybe there are more/better options in BKK?

Thanks in advance for all helpful comments.

[Erwin1011]

When I went to see my "eye"-lady for the same problem, she flatly told me : no cure, learn to live with it. That was later comfirmed by another specialist in a different hospital.

[guardian]

Someone I know has a condition where there is something like a blood red nerve growing in the retina starting from the part which is towards the nose and growing towards the iris. He said that it was painless only irritating. But if left to grow, it'll soon cover his iris and cause vision loss. He also said it was heriditary and that his father too had this condiiton. Did some laser treatment twice in his entire life. Don't know if this is similar to what you are experiencing. If this is what you mean, maybe I'll try asking him more about it.

Guardian

[Steve2UK]

Someone I know has a condition where there is something like a blood red nerve growing in the retina starting from the part which is towards the nose and growing towards the iris. He said that it was painless only irritating. But if left to grow, it'll soon cover his iris and cause vision loss. He also said it was heriditary and that his father too had this condiiton. Did some laser treatment twice in his entire life. Don't know if this is similar to what you are experiencing. If this is what you mean, maybe I'll try asking him more about it.

Guardian

Thanks to Erwin for the thought - sort of bears out what I had been told, but it's so common a condition that I wonder if anyone has come across alternative therapies that might help a bit?

Guardian - thanks for the detail...... I don't think I have those symptoms and a specialist in London told me some months back that what he found in my eye was "normal - nothing to worry about" and might even lessen after time. I don't recognise the blood red nerve as you describe it in my floater eye - although my other eye (which doesn't/didn't have floaters) has been a tad bloodshot for as long as I can remember. The only other symptom I can think of is an occasional bright ring of light........

EDIT: I just turned up this link with a Google search......... does anyone know anything first-hand about them? http://www.eyefloaters.com/

Edited July 30, 2006 by Steve2UK

[Sheryl]

If you have already seen an opthmalogist and had a retinmal; exam which was normal then as far as i know, there's nothing to do about it and you'll get pretty used to it to the point where it doesn't even register (I did).

But if you haven't had a proper retinal exam, do that first. Some floaters are harmless but some can be a sign of retinal problems so need to rule that out.

[ya5702]

Does anyone have any first-hand knowledge of any treatment available in LOS for "floaters" ? For those who don't recognise the term, it's when you get black specks or filaments in your eyes and they show up in your vision as dark blurry bits. They're tiny fragments that break away from the retina and "float" in the liquid/jelly of the eyeball - it's not a detached retina as such (for which there is laser surgery available).

When I developed them in one eye a few months back, I did some internet searching and there seemed to be a suggestion that a combination of massage and special exercises could help to move them out of vision but nothing really conclusive. So - does anyone know of anywhere in LOS offering something for the condition............. whether it's mainstream medicine or complementary techniques like acupuncture, massage, herbs etc?

I'm going to be based in Chiang Mai, so I'm already going to be checking out St Peter Eye Hospital there - but maybe there are more/better options in BKK?

Thanks in advance for all helpful comments.

I've had "floaters" in both eyes for the past 35 years with no adverse effect on my vision. The optomologist told me then (35 years ago) that "floaters" are quite common. I see the "floaters" when I look for them. Otherwise I do not notice them.

[egeefay]

My doctor said "floaters" were normal...part of getting old. ;

I only notice them when I'm staring up a the sky...a plain background.

If there were an easy way to get rid of them , I would.

Otherwise. They don't bother me much

[guardian]

Could someone enlighten me the causes of "floaters" or is the cause unknown?

Guardian

[backflip]

steve2uk,

I checked out the website, and there are several reasons that I'd be concerned about having Dr. K perform the procedure:

- non-standard use of the laser

- limited number of patients he's seen

- limited number of patients worldwide

- very limited number of doctors performing the procedure

- strict limits on types of floating opacities problems with which he can deal

- although he claims 92% success as measured by his 5 criteria, I could find his criteria

In short, your eyes, your money, your choice...

[Tywais]

Could someone enlighten me the causes of "floaters" or is the cause unknown?

Guardian

My floaters started suddenly. Just woke up one morning and there they were. Optomologist said it was due to the vitreous lining detaching from age. 3 different Optomologists said no correction available.

http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/spotsfloats.htm

http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/floaters/index.asp

[mijan24]

When I went to see my "eye"-lady for the same problem, she flatly told me : no cure, learn to live with it. That was later comfirmed by another specialist in a different hospital.

I was told the same and now knowing what it is No worries.

[Lopburi99]

Could someone enlighten me the causes of "floaters" or is the cause unknown?

Guardian

My floaters started suddenly. Just woke up one morning and there they were. Optomologist said it was due to the vitreous lining detaching from age. 3 different Optomologists said no correction available.

http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/spotsfloats.htm

http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/floaters/index.asp

Hey Ty, how have your floaters been as of late? Gotten any worse?

I developed them in each eye after cataract surgery 2 years ago. y Dr said sometimes they dissolve but mine never did. Mine are like large clouds sweeping thru my field of vision. Mine seem to be worsening a little, possibly because I can't break the habit of sleeping on my stomach which presses my face and eyes against my pillow. I also occasionally the flash ring or light, but only after I wake from sleeping with my face in the pillow. I think this applies pressure to my eyes and strains something. I was told the bright lights is a further sign of coming retinal detachment, something which has me VERY concerned of course. Next week I go to the states for a month and will have the opthalmologist check out my eyes/floaters/retina again. I'll also ask him for some kind on an eye shield to protect my eyes while I sleep.

Hope your floaters are better or have dissolved.