floater diagnosis

I was diagnosed with floaters after going in to see the doctor because of a new appearance of lines and dots in my vision pretty rapidly. I am moderately nearsighted with glasses and have seen a few randome small floaters before, but not like this. There are a few long ones that appear pretty much anywhere outside or looking at white/bright surfaces. This started a few weeks ago. I am a 35 year only male who is in otherwise (thankfully) good health. The doctor did not see any retina issues after a full dilated exame, and said it could have been some time of shift in the vitreous putting them in the line of vision, or just a natural aging event taking place.

They are very distracting to me, as an engineer who spends much time on the computer - I mean they float around anytime my eyes move and someone comes right in my central vision. The doctor said they should get less noticeable, but after other reading on the internet there is a lot of conflicting information. I guess here are my questions:
1) What typically happens with these types of floaters, that don't seem to be related to a PVD and are in the line of vision. I guess they are collagen and are just in my line of vision? Do they stick around, get absorbed by the body, something else?
2) There seem to be laser and FOV options as treatment? There seems to be a lot of medical controversy back and forth on these. Have you seen these be sucessful for patients? Would you recommend this as something to persue if it affects my career?
3) Is 35 an abnormal age to have this? Is this a warning sign on other things?

Thank you for your time.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

35 is a little young for this but not unheard of - especially if you have myopia.  At your age - your floaters could possibly increase over time -as your vitreous collapses and degenerates more.  There is no effective treatment.  Vitrectomy is only for blood as a general rule.  THe short story on laser treatment is that 99.8% of ophthalmologist will not even consider doing it.  Three or four in US will do it but it is NOT standard of care - no guarantees - no pear reviewed research studies - never covered my insurance - cash pay procedure with modified yag laser.  In very select cases I might consider it rarely.  You don't sound like a candidate in any way.

MJK MD

[10dollar]

I must admit that this is pretty scary for me given how it is effecting my work and the things I enjoy outside. In terms of the percent of patients that you have seen where they either settle, or just become ignored, what is your take. Does it happen in 25% of cases, 50%, more :)

I guess I am just tyring to mentally understand what I may be in for long term with this and what I'll need to do to potentially adjust to this. I know they are much more serious health problems that occur in life, by these things in your face constantly are just really hard to forget about at this stage.

Thanks

[10dollar]

I should have said, that is my comment about my situation which is similiar to the first patient. I got floaters post Lasik and I am just 31. I was just assuming that the situation would be the same, but if not, that would be great to know. You can see my original post about Lasik floaters earlier in the forum.

[cristina1676]

i had a detached retina repaired in 3-2006 and i can tell ya that floaters are not fun. i have been dealing with them on and off for a while and they get in the way when im on the computer and watching tv. sometimes i dont see them becuase i am pre-occupied, but other times all i want to do it pick them out of my eyes.  as long as there are no problems with your retinas then i would just suggest to get a glare screen for your computer. it helped me at work!

[distracting]

Thanks for the input. I guess the question that 10dollar asked would be helpful to know.

[cristina1676]

just make sure that if there is ANY change in your vision (more floaters, flashes of light, veil covering your vision) that you contact a retinal speacialist.  good luck to you

[distracting]

I was wondering if one of the doctors could answer this question that was posted above:

In terms of the percent of patients that you have seen where they either settle, or just become ignored, what is your take. Does it happen in 25% of cases, 50%, more....

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

If you are 35, it is possible that you might get more floaters are you get older and your vitreous denerates more.  Your floaters are not going to go away (though they may break up) - but your brain will learn to ignore them, more and more.  You'll get used to them and they won't bother you as much.  You're just very bothered and anxious now and that's totally normal.  I've never seen anyone of any profession have to quit their job because of floaters.  You will survive and carry on and things will get much better, (very high probability.)

MJK MD

[distracting]

Thank you very much for your outlook. I will stay optimistic and hope for the best during this distracting and sometimes difficult time.

Best wishes for the new year and whatever holiday you may be celebrating!

[PAMI1019]

I know how you feel, I am 58 and just started getting floaters the beginning of the year...the day before Christmas I got a barrage of them in my left eye (the only good eye I have as the other is a "lazay" eye..useless)...I am truly apprehensive as to what will happen next...I went to the opthalmologist who wants me to see a retina specialist. He said he did NOT see any R.D., holes or tears; but, his test was only 90%, thazt I need to see the ret. spec. to get evaluated. Let me know how you fare, as I know your concern!!

[blurryeyed]

I'm a 62 yr. old woman who has had floaters most of my life and not sure what caused them as I'm not diabetic, but have needed glasses for nearsightedness since I was around 20.  I was told at last vision checkup that I had start of cataracts (which they said was normal), but 2 yrs. later now I have started noticing more new floaters which are moving closer to central vision and also may be getting some blurry area from a cataract in same eye.  I made appmt. for a complete eye exam and after reading some of these comments, I'm hoping it won't be a waste of money.  Not sure if I'm ready to have cataract surgery yet, but if it will cause worse problem with the floaters, it is making me very concerned and depressed.

[malog]

http://www.helenkellerfoundation.org/research-buckler.asp

This is something that shows some Drs. are trying to find a treatment for this problem. I have had this problem for 27 years and I am a photographer so it really, really slows me down. Dr. Richard Mackool is currently doing this and in a few years it will be more common.

[barby33]

A related discussion, floaters was started.