Floater Removal

What are Eye Floaters?

Eye floaters are small, shadowy shapes that appear in your field of vision. They can look like dots, lines, or cobweb-like structures, and they tend to move as your eyes move. As we age, the vitreous can shrink or change consistency, leading to these floaters becoming more noticeable.

When should I be concerned about floaters?

Most eye floaters are harmless and a normal part of aging and in many cases, people get used to them over time as they move to the bottom of your eye or below the line of sight.

However, if you experience a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, or any changes in your vision, it’s important to consult an eye care professional, as these could be signs of a more serious condition.

What causes floaters?

Eye floaters are primarily caused by changes in the vitreous gel when tiny bits of the gel fills the eye.

Here are some common causes:

• Aging: As you get older, the vitreous can shrink and become more liquid, leading to clumps or strands that cast shadows on the retina.

• Vitreous Detachment: Sometimes, the vitreous gel can detach from the retina, which can lead to increased floaters.

• Inflammation: Conditions like uveitis (inflammation of the eye) can cause debris to form in the vitreous, resulting in floaters.

• ​​​​​​​Bleeding: This could be a result from diabetes, high blood pressure or injury.

• Eye Injuries: Trauma to the eye can also lead to the development of floaters.

​​​​​​​How are floaters treated?

Removing eye floaters can be challenging, and treatment options depend on their severity and impact on vision. Our experienced ophthalmologists at Whitsett Vision Group have been highly involved with the development of procedures and technologies for the benefit of floater removal.

Vitrectomy

A surgical procedure that removes the vitreous humor gel that fills the eye cavity and is then replaced with a solution. This provides access to the retina for a variety of repairs, such as removing scar tissue, treating macular holes, repairing retinal detachments, as well as the removal of floaters.

Limited Vitreous Removal

Limited vitreous removal is an innovative surgical approach that involves removing a section of the vitreous to address eye conditions while keeping it attached to the retina. This technique is safer and more effective than traditional vitrectomy, lowering the risk of complications such as cataracts and retinal tears. It can be utilized to treat vision-impairing vitreopathy and clinically significant vitreous floaters.