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vitreous clouding and vitreous veils
I have experienced a dramatic upturn of visual clouding, and disturbances in the middle of one eye. This after the retina specialst said a vitreous veil was hanging in front of the macula; soon afterward the condition worsened (w/in two weeks)/
I also have cataract in that eye. Would that help reduce the clouding? Is vitrectomy the only other option? Retina specialist says he will not do that surgery.
I also have cataract in that eye. Would that help reduce the clouding? Is vitrectomy the only other option? Retina specialist says he will not do that surgery.
I found out that I also have a trace of scar tissue on my macula. Not good for a person with vulnerable retinas.
There is another option ! I went through almost the same thing you are going through.
You have to go to the following website.http://www.eyefloaters.com/
and read this article from USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-01-27-floaters_x.htm
I had lag laser surgery by Dr. karickhoff in 2004 and it changed my life !
The "floaters" disintegrated. They are all gone, however, I still see "clouds" and what I call " wrinkles"
When you have PVD, think of it like bubble gum bubble deflating. The weiss ring is the edge of the hole ( outside rim) of where the eyeball attached to the back, and is now detached. The "wrinkles" are the folds of the outside caved in "bubble" ( eyeball ) . They will never go away. The stuff floating inside the eyeball vitreous can be zapped by laser as long as they are not too close to the retina. It was painless and quick. I still have to shift my eyes from side to side to see some very clear details of things like fine print on my computer screen, but now the dark floaters are gone. The "hole" inside the weiss ring is the only completely clear space in my vision. The best way to see this in your own eyes are to find someone who has a light microscope. Look in it with no slide on it and you will see everything!
Also, there is now a camera called an OptoMap, that take a digital photo of the inside of you eyes. It is used to evaluate retinal change however it
also captured my floater on film. My optometrist has on in his office and he e-mails me the photos so I can have them to look at and keep.
You have to go to the following website.http://www.eyefloaters.com/
and read this article from USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-01-27-floaters_x.htm
I had lag laser surgery by Dr. karickhoff in 2004 and it changed my life !
The "floaters" disintegrated. They are all gone, however, I still see "clouds" and what I call " wrinkles"
When you have PVD, think of it like bubble gum bubble deflating. The weiss ring is the edge of the hole ( outside rim) of where the eyeball attached to the back, and is now detached. The "wrinkles" are the folds of the outside caved in "bubble" ( eyeball ) . They will never go away. The stuff floating inside the eyeball vitreous can be zapped by laser as long as they are not too close to the retina. It was painless and quick. I still have to shift my eyes from side to side to see some very clear details of things like fine print on my computer screen, but now the dark floaters are gone. The "hole" inside the weiss ring is the only completely clear space in my vision. The best way to see this in your own eyes are to find someone who has a light microscope. Look in it with no slide on it and you will see everything!
Also, there is now a camera called an OptoMap, that take a digital photo of the inside of you eyes. It is used to evaluate retinal change however it
also captured my floater on film. My optometrist has on in his office and he e-mails me the photos so I can have them to look at and keep.
It's PVD, vitreous syneresis. All normal, except that it's risky for people with lattice. As I said, my right eye has been 360'd, and this should help a great deal. I still need to be on the lookout for any new floaters, flashes.
nancy
thanks for the update on your condition. I imagine the eye doctor had no great words of wisdom regarding your floaters/etc? best wishes on your eye health. russ r.
thanks for the update on your condition. I imagine the eye doctor had no great words of wisdom regarding your floaters/etc? best wishes on your eye health. russ r.
Saw doc#3 Friday. Even though my sticks/clouds/non-flashing lights/rivers have increased, much like Russell's--I have no tears. My eye has been 360 and other lasedered at least 3 times. This is my "good" eye. I cannot see out of the other much--5 retina surgeries.
The retinologist I saw is good, very professional and accurate.
The retinologist I saw is good, very professional and accurate.
your comments did help a lot. I understand that vitrectomy or retinal detachment repairs almost always lead to cataract compllications. Hopefully, the cataract work will provide even more clarity to you, and might also provide some realignments of that eye. Have you discussed your other problems with the eye doctor doing the surgery for cataract? If so, I;d like to hear what he told you. Eventually, I'll need cataract surgery too.
Best wishes, russell903
Best wishes, russell903
hi distracting
about a year ago I had retinal detachment due to injury to the eye. Prior to the retinal detachment i was in similar sitiuation as you in whch i had severe dark web-like floaters due to PVD. From my recollection I first started to see dots then web-like floaters. it progressively got worse and because of so much blood and floaters in my eye I lost my viison in one eye. My doctor told me to shine a flashlight in my eye and if I saw any light I was not blind from retinal detachment.
the doctors would not perform surgery on my eye unless I had a retinal deetachment.
for few months I had no vision in one eye. I got second opinion and the other doctor say the same thing... it was unbearable! i know what you are going through. i was told that the floaters and blood will get absorbed by the body and your vision will clear up if you are lucky not to have a retinal deatchment.
unfortunaely,due to retinal detachment i had vitrectomy to remove the blood and the vitreous gel. due to the buckle I am more near sided now. after surgery my acuity changed to -11.00, images are distorted, colors are dull, hazy, membrane growth causing filmy spots in my vision. i have floating specks and floating residual silicon oil bubbles, mis-aligned eyes requiring prism lens and can't wear contacts, etc... as you can see vitrectomy has complications and if you can avoid it you should not have the surgery until deemed necessary by your doctor.
on the bright side, my vision has improved from -11.00 to -8.00 but still other problems described above... i was told that due to vitrectomy i will have cataracts eventually...
hope this helps...
about a year ago I had retinal detachment due to injury to the eye. Prior to the retinal detachment i was in similar sitiuation as you in whch i had severe dark web-like floaters due to PVD. From my recollection I first started to see dots then web-like floaters. it progressively got worse and because of so much blood and floaters in my eye I lost my viison in one eye. My doctor told me to shine a flashlight in my eye and if I saw any light I was not blind from retinal detachment.
the doctors would not perform surgery on my eye unless I had a retinal deetachment.
for few months I had no vision in one eye. I got second opinion and the other doctor say the same thing... it was unbearable! i know what you are going through. i was told that the floaters and blood will get absorbed by the body and your vision will clear up if you are lucky not to have a retinal deatchment.
unfortunaely,due to retinal detachment i had vitrectomy to remove the blood and the vitreous gel. due to the buckle I am more near sided now. after surgery my acuity changed to -11.00, images are distorted, colors are dull, hazy, membrane growth causing filmy spots in my vision. i have floating specks and floating residual silicon oil bubbles, mis-aligned eyes requiring prism lens and can't wear contacts, etc... as you can see vitrectomy has complications and if you can avoid it you should not have the surgery until deemed necessary by your doctor.
on the bright side, my vision has improved from -11.00 to -8.00 but still other problems described above... i was told that due to vitrectomy i will have cataracts eventually...
hope this helps...
You mentioned Dr. Karickhoff for vitreolysis. I contacted him many months ago, buthe refused to consider me because of my glaucoma in the eye with the floaters. I also talked to Dr. Scot Geller of S. Florida; he accepted me as a patient, but I later heard he has a very low rate of satisfaction from his vitreolysis, perhaps around 27%.
As I type, I'm fighting off the floaters from invading my central vision; they waft across my eyes at the slightest eye movements. If I purposely move the eyes, they really come on strong. Eye doctors tell me to call them right away when I see new floaters-but after four visits in the last 8 weeks, w/o any indications of tears or detachments, I'm reluctant to go thru the dilations again. Takes me 16 hours to have the eyes go back to normal.
Thanks, distracting, for your helpful comments and links. russ r.
As I type, I'm fighting off the floaters from invading my central vision; they waft across my eyes at the slightest eye movements. If I purposely move the eyes, they really come on strong. Eye doctors tell me to call them right away when I see new floaters-but after four visits in the last 8 weeks, w/o any indications of tears or detachments, I'm reluctant to go thru the dilations again. Takes me 16 hours to have the eyes go back to normal.
Thanks, distracting, for your helpful comments and links. russ r.
These are things you should talk to a top retina surgeoun about. Laser may be indicated in certain scenarios. Go back to Bascom, or see this list here for other options.
http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/best-hospitals/search.php?spec=repopht&
http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/best-hospitals/search.php?spec=repopht&
Wikipedia reports the following on floater treatment. I don't know what the doctor here would have to say abou this, however.
Another treatment is laser vitreolysis. In this procedure a YAG laser is focused onto the floater and in a quick burst vaporizes the structure into a less dense and not as noticeable consistency. Great success of this method has been reported by John R. Karickhoff, M.D., who has also published a first book on the subject "Laser Treatment of Eye Floaters", Washington Medical Publishing (C) 2007.
Another treatment is laser vitreolysis. In this procedure a YAG laser is focused onto the floater and in a quick burst vaporizes the structure into a less dense and not as noticeable consistency. Great success of this method has been reported by John R. Karickhoff, M.D., who has also published a first book on the subject "Laser Treatment of Eye Floaters", Washington Medical Publishing (C) 2007.
As noted before, I did have a discussion with my glaucoma doctor today. She was non-commital about IOP jumps from vitrectomy, saying I should discuss with my retina specialist. Nice idea, but I wanted to cover the optic nerve issue with her first. She did magpie my earlier ideas about relief from this barrage of debris in my eyes-wear sunglasses all the time, inside and outside, or wear a patch over the bad eye. I could get that advice by interviewing myself.
We have some serious eye related problems in the U.S. that are not now being fully addressed in the medical community. Floaters are much more troublesome than MD's acknowledge. Lets face it, floaters are the product of some malfunctions in the retina. Glaucoma has no real research under way that would benefit those of us with a present problem; only drops, laser surgery and shunts are available. Dry ARMD in the same trouble/no solution area. Solutions appear to exist for ARMD and glaucoma in Australia, Europe and Canada, but the FDA and MD's don't recognize them, preferring to go thru 6 or more years of trial to complete studies. Protect the public? Maybe. But if there are tried a proven solutions, the public should be given a choice to proceed, based on the foreign approvals. That's my opinion.
We have some serious eye related problems in the U.S. that are not now being fully addressed in the medical community. Floaters are much more troublesome than MD's acknowledge. Lets face it, floaters are the product of some malfunctions in the retina. Glaucoma has no real research under way that would benefit those of us with a present problem; only drops, laser surgery and shunts are available. Dry ARMD in the same trouble/no solution area. Solutions appear to exist for ARMD and glaucoma in Australia, Europe and Canada, but the FDA and MD's don't recognize them, preferring to go thru 6 or more years of trial to complete studies. Protect the public? Maybe. But if there are tried a proven solutions, the public should be given a choice to proceed, based on the foreign approvals. That's my opinion.
Thanks for the comments. I'm in the Chicago area, which has very little in the ophthalmology specialites at local universities. U. of Chicago, Northwestern, and Rush do not have major acclaimed ophtho provisions. I understand that U of Ill.@ Chicago has a growing practice. Clsoest highly rated university is Iowa State, in Ames, Iowa. Prior to the vitreous problems, I was seen at Bascom Palmer in Miami, the #1 rated university hospital in the U.S. for the eyes. I also am considering a return there, or to another Miami based clinic that is well regarded, with a top vitreo retina doctor, named Lopez.
My first order of business is to discuss this condition again with my optic nerve specialist, treating my glaucoma. Pressures wil likely increase in the eye with a vitrectomy, and I have very sensitive, high IOP prone eyes. A major considertation relative to risk for me.
My first order of business is to discuss this condition again with my optic nerve specialist, treating my glaucoma. Pressures wil likely increase in the eye with a vitrectomy, and I have very sensitive, high IOP prone eyes. A major considertation relative to risk for me.
I would try and go to a university level speciality center. One of the best if you are near one? Where are you located?
If you are suffering that badly, and there is no additional risk identified because of other existing conditions, what you describe should probably be dealt with, or at least described in detail of risks versus reward. See a top doctor nationally if needed for an evaluation.
If you are suffering that badly, and there is no additional risk identified because of other existing conditions, what you describe should probably be dealt with, or at least described in detail of risks versus reward. See a top doctor nationally if needed for an evaluation.
10 different doctors (retina, glaucoma, cornea, ophthalmology generalists) peop have told me they don't recommend vitrectomy. all say it's dangerous and not worth the risk. possible problems include worsening acuity, retina tears or detachment, and cataracts. I am really suffering. Wave forms constant, hazy vision, and the aforementioned spiraling, bursting moving objects-seen with eyes open, or closed. one eye only. have you had it done?
was there a reason given for not doing the surgery?
if you want a lot of information on victrectomies see
floatertalk.yuku.com
if you want a lot of information on victrectomies see
floatertalk.yuku.com
russell 903 again. My vitreous condition (floaters, veils) continues to worsen. I've been to the retina people so many times after every new eruption, each time told there are no tears or detachments. I no longer can read text because of the debris going in front of the eye, and often staying right in the center. 24/7 now.
Dr. Hagan, you indicated you had a vitrectomy. What was your criteria for getting it done? Did you have constant moveements like hairs or fibres in the center of the eye? I have those and also see them moving about when the eyes are closed. Would optic nerve damage cause such fast moving hair like images? Macula problems? Or are they just another form of floaters? I'm going nuts.
Dr. Hagan, you indicated you had a vitrectomy. What was your criteria for getting it done? Did you have constant moveements like hairs or fibres in the center of the eye? I have those and also see them moving about when the eyes are closed. Would optic nerve damage cause such fast moving hair like images? Macula problems? Or are they just another form of floaters? I'm going nuts.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Since things have changed since you say the retina MD ophthalmologist is is very important to return for a re-evaluation. The problem you have can lead to a retinal hole or retinal membrane.
A cataract blurs all the vision not just in the center and would likely not make your problem better.
You will need to ask the retina specialist again in view of the change in your eye if vitrectomy is an option. Remember that a vitrectomy is a big operation with major possible complications and always makes the cataract grow faster.
JCH III MD
A cataract blurs all the vision not just in the center and would likely not make your problem better.
You will need to ask the retina specialist again in view of the change in your eye if vitrectomy is an option. Remember that a vitrectomy is a big operation with major possible complications and always makes the cataract grow faster.
JCH III MD
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