Vitreous syneresis

I developed a floater in my right eye about 18 months ago.  I went to my opthamalogist and was told that I had a PVD and that everything else was ok.  About 3 months ago I developed floaters in my left eye and again was told everything was ok.  Last week I went to see a retina specialist @ Stanford and was told that I have vitreous syneresis.  He couldn't confirm the PVD.  This freaked me out to no end as I'm 40 years old and prior to the first floater have not had any eye related issues (have 20/20 vision and have never worn glasses).  Is there a defined progression for vitreous syneresis?  By that I mean is this something that happens until the day I die or is it something that takes X months, etc....  I'm concerned that my vision will soon be filled with floaters.  The retina specialist I saw said I shouldn't stress about it but I can't stop thinking about the floaters and how my quality of life has gone down the toilet.  I work with computers and spend 10+ hours a day looking at monitors so it's hard to not think about them.

[Noppon]

your problem seems to be simple. It will take less than a month for your brain to adjust your vision and then you will be very very fine. (But you have to have your doctor check your retina).   If a month passes, you are still worried about this floaters. you check www.vitreousfloaters.com They can laser.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Use the search feature and archives to read about PVD, floaters and vitreous syneresis.

They are ALL part of the aging eye and start when we are very young. By your age 40% of people report floaters. None of them indicate that you will have bad vision or go blind.

JCH MD

[flexed2death]

Thanks for the replies.  The retina specialist @ Stanford said there wasn't anything that could be done (including laser treatment) since he couldn't see the floaters when he examined my eyes.  I'm just trying to get a handle on this and reassure myself that this isn't the beginning of the end for me.  I'm surprised that at my age 40% of people report having floaters.  I guess this isn't something that comes up in conversations for the most part as I don't know of any friends or coworkers who have this.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

I started noticing floaters when I was about 11 years old. I thought I was seeing angles. It's not the beginning of the end
JCH MD

[flexed2death]

From reading posts on this forum, I know it's not the end but I'm having a hard time convincing myself that's not the case.  I guess I have to hope that medical science is able to come up with some drug that will help out going forward.  I read that there was something in the pipeline on this forum but there doesn't seem to be any recent references to it.

[flexed2death]

I did a search on vitreous syneresis and am still unable to find any info on how long a process this is.  Is this something that once it starts it continues until you die or is something that goes on for 1, 2, 4 ,etc... years.  A few posts mention that this typical occurs in people over the age of 60 but can happen to younger folks depending on certain pre existing conditions.  I don't have any of those conditions.  I'm trying to learn to live with these floaters I've developed recently but at the same time am freaked by the prospects of numerous new floaters appearing and destroying my quality of life (sorry for the rant).  From the moment I open my eyes in the morning to when I go to sleep (if I can) I look for new floaters and have become somewhat paranoid about them.  When I'm driving I find myself doing double takes to make sure what I'm seeing isn't a new floater versus some dirt on the window.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Most people over 50 have floaters which they see if they look for them but mostly they ignore due to neuroadaptation. By age 70 its 75%

Even if all the vitreous peels off the retina you likely will still have floaters.

Discuss your fears with the retina surgeon. If he she tells you not to worry unless something changes go about your life. If you are an anxious person all you're life deal with your anxiety by seeing your GP or a psychiatrist.

I'm looking at the monitor through a whole bunch of floaters that have been their for 40 years.

JCH MD

[flexed2death]

The retina specialist I saw @ Stanford told me to not worry about it unless I saw a bunch of new floaters.  I'm trying to go about with my life as you suggested and yes I've developed anxiety over this issue (and yes I'm seeing a psychiatrist).  I guess my biggest fear isn't that I'm going to go blind (every eye doctor I've spoken with said that won't happen) but that my quality of life will be negatively impacted with the onset of numerous (if not overwhelming) new floaters.  That's why I'm interested in how long vitreous syneresis takes, it's just in my nature to want to know these things.  If it's something that can't be put into a timeframe at least I'll know.  Thanks for the response, very much appreciated.  

[flexed2death]

One other thing, you mentioned that you've had floaters going on 40 years.  It doesn't sound like you've had new ones develop over that time, which I guess is the primary reason for my question.  If what I have now is what I'll have 10 years from now I'd be less anxious.  Not knowing (and no one can predict the future) is what drives me crazy.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

From you history your anxiety is your biggest problem. Most anxious people pick something out: their heart, fear of cancer, GI problems, etc and focus all their anxiety on it.

Hopefully you and the psychiatrist can find the right anti anxiety medication.
JC HMD

[flexed2death]

My doctor prescribed zoloft for my anxiety.  I've read that some people think there's a connection to these types of medications and the onset of new floaters but since I haven't found anything to substantiate that I'm going to proceed with the medication.

[Bub551]

And after a series of 11 comments, that nagging question "Is there a defined progression for vitreous syneresis?" still goes unanswered...