Eye floater clinical course

[LLindi]

Hi Doctor,
    I am a 22 year old, myopic (-4.25) medical student and I just started noticing floaters 2 weeks ago. I went to an ophthalmologist and there were no other problems besides the annoying floaters (which she could see). I'm wondering what I can expect to happen.. I've been reading that they "settle down" "your brain tunes them out" and lots of other things. Also, I'm wondering if they will increase in number as time goes on... will they go "away" as my vitreous continues to liquefy? I'm sure it differs by case, but what is the general course of these annoying eye floaters?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.

Lindsay

[AppleBr]

you re not ridiculous - you're completly normal !!!
its the uncertain that makes the thing a s... for us all!
Take care!

[LLindi]

I appreciate your positivity. I feel ridiculous being so effected by something like this.. I'm just waiting for it to miraculously go away or for myself to get used to it. The novelty of it is just so upsetting. Thanks for the good energy though.

[AppleBr]

From what i already learned this last months, by now you have to be very happy 'cos you dont have an RD. And something tells me it doesnt matter if you are an MD, the surgeon or a first year student, RD is quite hard to know what expect about.
Only that surgeons seldom say "I have no idea" :-)
Its a hell for anxious persons... but you will suvive, be sure!
As everybody says, brain does fantastic things...

[LLindi]

i'm a 1st year student, so i haven't learned anything about pathophysiology yet.. so i know nothing about these floaters.. except the stuff i picked up online. i guess i'll figure it out as they develop.....

[AppleBr]

BTW, I got Retina Detachment in December 2008 and  have  some floaters fellow eye  now...
Learned a lot about fear :-), still learning about oftalmo.

[AppleBr]

You said you're a medicine student. Look at the bright side: I'm sure those d... floaters will make you completely aware of the meaning of "I AM AFRAID!! SCARED, etc and become a better doctor in the future. One that wont be able to ignore help messages in innoportune hours...
Good luck with your eyes!

[walkietalkie]

there are tons of 'floaters' information here. Use the search to learn  more about these annoying little creatures. Didn't they teach you this in medical school?  

[LLindi]

I did read up on it, online, at the library, everywhere. I know all about the pathophysiology and lack of treatment... but they never really talked about the clinical course and what to expect. If you have any experience seeing this problem and have some sense of the course, I would greatly appreciate the information.

Thanks.
L

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

Since you are a medical student I suggest you go to the library and read up on it.

Dr. O.