Qs about Floaters

[naturelvr]

I am a 56 year old male and have experienced vitreous floaters for a couple years.  Over the past few months, I've noticed a substantial increase in the number and size of the floaters that have become quite bothersome (although no flashes of light).  I've had two dilated exams by a retina specialist who indicated there is no evidence of retina detachment or holes.  I'm aware that over time floaters can become less bothersome but I have a couple general questions.  1) After a period of a noticeable increase in the number and size of floaters, is there a tendency for the number and size of floaters to decrease, or 2) once begun, do the number and size of floaters tend to remain the same or even continue to progress such that they may be further compromise vision, and 3) I'm aware there is much debate about possible  treatment options for floaters (e.g., floaters-only vitrectomy, laser), however, are there any potential new or improved treatment options that may be coming such that us floaters-sufferers may have some hope for relief in a few years.  Thank you for your attention.

[kjelltp]

Floaters can be different things.  Imagine a bowl of transpartent Jello, and inside there is either some debris or tiny specks or "cracks".   That stuff is unlikely to get fixed by itself.   With age the vitreous gel can get more liquid, and thus floaters arise.    In some cases it can be caused by certain eye disease.    Theres no remedy (today) for these, and I would think your case should be extreme, and visually imparing, to undergo vitrectomy.  Only the ones that settle out of "line of sight" will go away.   Your best bet prevention, and to stay healthy avoiding processed foods and other toxins, to keep your eye health.   Dont take your eyes for granted.

[painter58]

I forgot to mention that in my 30's I was diagnosed with Von Willebrand's Disease and had quite a hard time recovering from an operation to correct a hernia. My concern is having surgery of any kind, and if I needed eye surgery, would my bleeding problem interfere with the healing process?

[painter58]

I'm a 58 yr old artist and recently I have been noticing floaters in my eyes. They don't bother me too much and I can easily tune them out, but I'm wondering if they might be related to a sinus problem I've developed over the last year. Is there any possible connection? Also, I have occasional flashes of light , like a thin half moon shaped flash that happens on the side of my left eye when I blink. My brother in law, who is also a nurse, said it could be the beginning of retinal detachment. But I just feel it may have something to do with my sinus problem. I'll be having an eye exam soon for sunglasses, and I'm hoping that exam will provide some more info. Thanks for your reply and comments, and thank you for hosting this post!

[Magenit]

I am 27 years old and i got mine last year.. Woke up one morning with tons of "sperm" looking floaters in both eyes..  Why would this occur overnite?? I have been to the dR.  Had my eyes dialated 2x and they say the retinas look good, no tears or anything.  Just wondering if a strain (heavy lifting) can cause floaters.??

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

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[ladytalking]

All I can say is no one knows what another is seeing out of their  eyes. Some floaters are not too bad. Some are NOT  ignorable no matter how "busy" one gets. No psychiatrist is going to tell me it is all in my mind ,and no medication is going to remove them. Personally , I do not want to live my life on anti anxiety meds. I would rather take a chance on surgery,but that is just how I feel about this topic. We are all entitled to our feelings and opinions.