Floater Follow-Up

About 6 months ago, I posted a question regarding tinnitus and some new dark floaters that I'd noticed. I just wanted to post an update and a follow-up question(s).

The tinnitus is basically gone.....never did really figure out what caused it, even after tons of bloodwork and an MRI. The neurologist thinks it was related to my TMJ and bad allergies. I'm very relieved.

The floaters, on the other hand, are still there and driving me crazy. I did indeed go back to my opthalmologist to follow up about two months later (March) when I started noticing some little flashes in my vision. He checked me out and saw nothing again (retina and everything looked great), but he referred me to a retinal specialist in their practice just to be on the safe side.

The retinal specialist also did a very thorough exam and said everything looked fine. He did, however, diagnose me with retinal lattice degeneration (something I've likely always had but was just never caught). He said it was very mild and explained about the higher risk of retinal detachment, etc. He wants to see me in Sept. just to follow up, or sooner if I notice anything like showers of floaters, a curtain or veil in my vision, etc. He also said that my floaters were not related to the lattice degeneration, and he gave me a very thorough explanation of floaters, the causes, etc.

So here's my question: Can I rest assured that the floaters are only due to natural aging related causes (and my moderate nearsightedness.....I use glasses for reading) and NOT the sign of something more serious?

Since my appointment, I've been doing some online searching on floaters and stumbled upon information on lymphoma and uveitis. Would my opthalmologist and retinal specialist have caught either of these with the exam? They both seem difficult to diagnose. How does one know if floaters are just "normal" or something more serious?

Also, should I ask for any other tests when I go back in Sept? Fluorescein Angiogram? OCT?

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear EnglishTeacher1,

From your description, it does sound as if your eyeMD’s have been treating you appropriately and have instructed you on the symptoms and signs of a retinal detachment.  Take one step at a time before you worry about uncommon causes.  

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California