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Eye Care (Expert Forum)
Re: floater
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Re: floater
by HFHS M.D.-NI, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By HFHS MD - NI on February 22, 1999 at 07:27:30:
In Reply to: floater posted by garry on February 22, 1999 at 06:33:29:
About 1 month ago i noticed a mark in my right eye and had it looked at when getting my eyes tested (im long sighted). I was told it was a floater and was a dried piece of vitreous. Over the following weeks it became more noticable so i had it checked by an Ophthalmologist, he told me that it was natural and as you get older the vitreous gel shrinks and pulls away from the retina and this is what caused the floater. I am 32 years old and have not had any trauma to my eye.
My question is is it normal for the gel to pull away from the retina at my age? and if this is the cause will the floater go away with time? It is quite large and although at times looks like a hair is normally like a cloud in my right eye.
Any comments appriciated.
Garry,
What you describe is fairly classic for a vitreous floater. The vitreous is a jelly like substance which changes consistency as we age. This change causes the vitreous to separate from the retina. When this happens, the back of the vitreous can be seen as a floater. Most people describe this as a spider web or floating speck. High myopia and trauma can make vitreous separations occur earlier.
It is also possible for clumping to occur within the vitreous which can appear as floaters without an actual vitreous separation.
In either case, it is important to know that floaters can be associated with a tear in the retina and retinal detachments. Anyone with increasing floaters, flashing lights or fixed black areas in his vision should be reexamined. Since you saw your ophthalmologist, he should have checked for these things.
This information is provided for educational purposes only. Please see you physician for diagnostic and treatment options.
Sincerely,
HFHS MD - NI
*Keywords: vitreous floater, floaters, vitreous separation, retinal detachment
In Reply to: floater posted by garry on February 22, 1999 at 06:33:29:
About 1 month ago i noticed a mark in my right eye and had it looked at when getting my eyes tested (im long sighted). I was told it was a floater and was a dried piece of vitreous. Over the following weeks it became more noticable so i had it checked by an Ophthalmologist, he told me that it was natural and as you get older the vitreous gel shrinks and pulls away from the retina and this is what caused the floater. I am 32 years old and have not had any trauma to my eye.
My question is is it normal for the gel to pull away from the retina at my age? and if this is the cause will the floater go away with time? It is quite large and although at times looks like a hair is normally like a cloud in my right eye.
Any comments appriciated.
Garry,
What you describe is fairly classic for a vitreous floater. The vitreous is a jelly like substance which changes consistency as we age. This change causes the vitreous to separate from the retina. When this happens, the back of the vitreous can be seen as a floater. Most people describe this as a spider web or floating speck. High myopia and trauma can make vitreous separations occur earlier.
It is also possible for clumping to occur within the vitreous which can appear as floaters without an actual vitreous separation.
In either case, it is important to know that floaters can be associated with a tear in the retina and retinal detachments. Anyone with increasing floaters, flashing lights or fixed black areas in his vision should be reexamined. Since you saw your ophthalmologist, he should have checked for these things.
This information is provided for educational purposes only. Please see you physician for diagnostic and treatment options.
Sincerely,
HFHS MD - NI
*Keywords: vitreous floater, floaters, vitreous separation, retinal detachment
