Floaters - As part of a systemic disorder?

[Klinktc79]

Dear Doc...thanks in advance for helping. I am a 27 year-old male, have had floaters off and on for years, and they usually seem to coincide with other symptoms (fatigue, frequent urination, tingling sensations in foot, etc.) which have yet to be diagnosed after many, many tests. My question is: Can floaters be related to a systemic disorder (particularly neurologic disorders and diseases such as MS and Lyem), or are they entirely local to the eye, as I was told by my GP?

Also, I had an ophthalmologist take a look, and she couldn't see anything wrong with my eyes, nor could she see any floaters, with the slit lamp or indirect ophthalmoscope. How unlikely (or likely) is it that if indeed a systemic disease were causing the floaters (through some form of uveitis or other inflammation), it could be me missed by such a thorough exam?

Finally, my dad's ophthalmologist once told him that floaters could be related to one's cholesterol level, which sounds off to me. Is this true?

Thanks again for your help. I look forward to hearing your response.

[Forum-OD-MP]

so many opinion on this...

but it is my opinion that most (all?) true floaters are caused by debris that physically exists inside the eye.  no uveitis would be "missed" by any competant eye doctor of any kind.  i personally do not think cholesterol can cause floaters (unless theres the obvious vein occlusion and hemorrhage)

[Carol in PA]

Klinktc79:
I do know of one systemic infection that can cause all these symptoms, and that is Lyme Disease.

floaters
fatigue
tingling sensations in foot
high cholesterol level

I don't think the cholesterol itself is "causing" the floaters, but the Lyme bacteria use a metabolic pathway that may cause the body's cholesterol level to rise.

When the Lyme bacteria infect the cranial nerves to the eyes, it may cause all kinds of eye problems, ranging from constant redness or floaters to "visual snow" or uveitis or vision loss.

Lyme can affect the nerves in the arms and legs, causing peripheral neuropathies (tingling, pain) in the hands and feet.

Lyme Disease disregulates the HPA axis (hypothyroid - pituitary -adrenal glands) and this will cause all kinds of problems, including fatigue.

The Lyme bacteria within our body's cells depletes the magnesium that we need for all enzyme processes.
When the mitochondria within the cells cannot get enough of the right nutrients, including magnesium, they cannot convert blood sugar and oxygen to energy.  So you feel fatigued.

List of Lyme symptoms:
http://www.canlyme.com/patsymptoms.html

When To Suspect Lyme Disease
http://cassia.org/essay.htm

The testing for Lyme is not very accurate.
Because of this, physicians should make the diagnosis based on the patient's symptoms, which is known as a "clinical diagnosis."

Most physicians are not experienced enough to be able to make a clinical diagnosis of Lyme.
They order the tests, and when they come up negative, tell the patient that he doesn't have Lyme.

If you are interested in more information, you can post a query on the medical questions forum at LymeNet.org.
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php

Wishing you the best,
Carol