Post by Larry on Jul 16, 2004 14:29:12 GMT -5
I believe the problem of floaters has a solution. I read web sites of ophthalmologists to get a better understanding of the eye and the process of syneresis. I think about approaches for how to deal with floaters. Please add any ideas you have. Here are some:
1. Floaters Only Vitrectomy (FOV). We already know about this procedure and it's not recommended unless the floater(s) is a severe problem. Perhaps if the process of having a vitrectomy is improved to where the risk of complications is far less we will all be doing it.
2. Laser Treatment. I'm still unclear about the benefits for the average floater sufferer. Reading the posts of those that have undergone the procedure gets mixed results. It seems to be mostly effective for those having a floater fixed in their vision and needing a laser to detach with "strings" holding it in place. I also wonder is the laser stirs things up causing more floaters to form. I really don't know. Ophthalmologists warn about using any type of laser. I would gladly pay the nearly $3000 price tag if the laser procedure really worked. Reading years of threads from laser patients raises many doubts.
3. Removal of Floater. I have talked with an ophthalmologist who said a really bad floater can be removed with a needle, but it leaves some sort of needle trace. Smaller needles are on the horizon; maybe they will have a place in eye surgery.
4. Disruption of Floater. This is what the laser is supposed to do which I'm unclear about, even after reading the Washington D.C. area eye doctors (Dr. Karickhoff) web site.
Another disruption idea is mentioned on this Floaters Information Center (FIC) web site; ultrasonic waves. Very little information about this idea is mentioned. I hope someone can find more info.
5. Dissolving the Floater. Not sure if this is possible. Dissolving seems to be a term used on web sites advertising orally ingested remedies or home made eye drop solutions. I too like to envision such a simple solution, but the more I read, the more unlikely I see this as working.
6. Enzymatic Vitrectomy. This is new and the company the holds the patent for Vitrase (ISTA) hasn't released any information on how it affects floaters. We'll have to stay tuned.
7. Hyaluronic Acid. Also mentioned on this FIC site (http://www.eyefic.com/treatments.htm). Since it's the breakdown of this substance in the eye that leads to syneresis and floater formation, one would assume that a hyaluronic injection might be the cure. I read that testing is being done on rats and rabbits.
I can't see hyaluronic acid dissipating existing floaters. Perhaps it will firm-up the vitreous and prevent further floaters from forming, and lock already present floaters into place. I don't know about how everyone else feels, but if my floaters where simply kept from swirling around whenever I moved my eyes it would be a great success!
8. Repositioning of Floaters. I read and I'm told that this happens naturally over time with most people. Floaters tend to work their way forward and drop out of sight (seen as up since our eyes invert the image).
I don't know what percentage of the vitreous we actually look through. We all probably have some floaters off to the sides that we can't see. Perhaps a way could be found to push floaters out of the central vision and somehow lodge them into outer areas of the vitreous.
Anyone else have an idea that I didn't mention here please reply.
Note to Yen-Po Liu: How about adding a smily face that has big white eyes and floaters.
1. Floaters Only Vitrectomy (FOV). We already know about this procedure and it's not recommended unless the floater(s) is a severe problem. Perhaps if the process of having a vitrectomy is improved to where the risk of complications is far less we will all be doing it.
2. Laser Treatment. I'm still unclear about the benefits for the average floater sufferer. Reading the posts of those that have undergone the procedure gets mixed results. It seems to be mostly effective for those having a floater fixed in their vision and needing a laser to detach with "strings" holding it in place. I also wonder is the laser stirs things up causing more floaters to form. I really don't know. Ophthalmologists warn about using any type of laser. I would gladly pay the nearly $3000 price tag if the laser procedure really worked. Reading years of threads from laser patients raises many doubts.
3. Removal of Floater. I have talked with an ophthalmologist who said a really bad floater can be removed with a needle, but it leaves some sort of needle trace. Smaller needles are on the horizon; maybe they will have a place in eye surgery.
4. Disruption of Floater. This is what the laser is supposed to do which I'm unclear about, even after reading the Washington D.C. area eye doctors (Dr. Karickhoff) web site.
Another disruption idea is mentioned on this Floaters Information Center (FIC) web site; ultrasonic waves. Very little information about this idea is mentioned. I hope someone can find more info.
5. Dissolving the Floater. Not sure if this is possible. Dissolving seems to be a term used on web sites advertising orally ingested remedies or home made eye drop solutions. I too like to envision such a simple solution, but the more I read, the more unlikely I see this as working.
6. Enzymatic Vitrectomy. This is new and the company the holds the patent for Vitrase (ISTA) hasn't released any information on how it affects floaters. We'll have to stay tuned.
7. Hyaluronic Acid. Also mentioned on this FIC site (http://www.eyefic.com/treatments.htm). Since it's the breakdown of this substance in the eye that leads to syneresis and floater formation, one would assume that a hyaluronic injection might be the cure. I read that testing is being done on rats and rabbits.
I can't see hyaluronic acid dissipating existing floaters. Perhaps it will firm-up the vitreous and prevent further floaters from forming, and lock already present floaters into place. I don't know about how everyone else feels, but if my floaters where simply kept from swirling around whenever I moved my eyes it would be a great success!
8. Repositioning of Floaters. I read and I'm told that this happens naturally over time with most people. Floaters tend to work their way forward and drop out of sight (seen as up since our eyes invert the image).
I don't know what percentage of the vitreous we actually look through. We all probably have some floaters off to the sides that we can't see. Perhaps a way could be found to push floaters out of the central vision and somehow lodge them into outer areas of the vitreous.
Anyone else have an idea that I didn't mention here please reply.
Note to Yen-Po Liu: How about adding a smily face that has big white eyes and floaters.