Does floaters need surgery?

Written by Zheng Xin

Ophthalmology

Updated on September 23, 2024

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The commonly mentioned "floaters" in ophthalmology refer to the turbidity in the vitreous body of the eyes. In most cases, this phenomenon is normal; it is a normal physiological degenerative change of the vitreal body and generally does not have much impact on vision. In such cases, surgery is not needed. However, if there is a pathological change in the eye, such as bleeding at the base of the eye, and blood flows into the vitreous body, causing turbidity, surgery can be considered if this severely affects vision.

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Written by Tao Yuan

Ophthalmology

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How to maintain health with floaters normally.

Floating specks is a common ophthalmic disease, caused by vitreous opacities. It frequently occurs in patients with high myopia and the middle-aged and elderly, typically due to aging factors that lead to the formation of dot-like or thread-like turbid substances in the originally transparent vitreous tissue. When light passes through the vitreous body and is refracted, projecting onto the retina, it casts these shadows onto the retina as well, causing patients to see floating speck-like shadows in their field of vision. Patients with floating specks should take the following measures for care: First, maintain eye hygiene, do not rub your eyes; rubbing does not alleviate floating specks and may increase the risk of eye infections. Second, eat more iodine-rich foods, such as kelp, to promote the absorption of vitreous opacities.

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Written by Wang Hui Zhen

Ophthalmology

1min 15sec

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Is the risk of surgery for floaters high?

Whether surgery is needed for floaters and whether the risks of surgery are significant depends on whether the condition is physiological or pathological. There are many treatment methods for pathological floaters. Some surgeries have higher risks, such as vitrectomy; while others have lower risks, such as intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs. Clinically, floaters are referred to as vitreous opacities and can be divided into physiological and pathological types. Physiological floaters occur when one observes floating black spots in front of the eyes while looking at objects or the blue sky, with no pathological changes found in ophthalmological examinations, thus requiring no treatment. Pathological floaters manifest as a sudden appearance of floaters, a rapid increase in floaters, a fixed black shadow blocking vision, or even a decrease in central vision. These are often seen in conditions such as retinal vascular rupture, vitreous hemorrhage, or vitritis, and it is advisable to consult an ophthalmologist to determine the cause and receive targeted treatment.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong

Ophthalmology

51sec

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For floaters, should you use hot or cold compresses?

Floater, also known as vitreous opacity, generally does not require hot compresses, nor does it require cold or ice compresses. If floaters do not affect vision, it is called physiological floater; if they affect vision, it is called pathological floater. Once floaters occur, active examination and serious treatment should be carried out. If it is physiological floaters, it is important to rest, reduce close-range operations, avoid eye fatigue, and some dextranomer eye drops and lecithin complex iodine tablets can be used orally, which generally can improve after treatment; if it is pathological vitreous opacity, a detailed examination at an ophthalmology outpatient clinic should be sought for active treatment. (If medication is needed, please proceed under the guidance of a doctor)

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Written by Li Zhen Dong

Ophthalmology

48sec

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Can slit lamp examination detect floaters?

Floaters generally do not require examination with a slit lamp microscope; they are examined using A-scan or B-scan ultrasonography to assess the extent of vitreous opacity, posterior vitreous detachment, and the status of the vitreous in relation to the retina. Floaters are also known as vitreous opacities and can be categorized into physiological and pathological vitreous opacities. Physiological vitreous opacities generally do not affect vision but appear as some floating objects in front of the eye, which do not change vision. These are more visible in bright light and less visible or absent in low light. If the vitreous opacity is pathological, it can affect vision and requires further ophthalmologic examination and active treatment.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong

Ophthalmology

41sec

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Will you go blind from floaters as you get older?

Floaters generally do not cause blindness or loss of vision. Floaters can be divided into physiological floaters and pathological floaters. Physiological floaters generally do not cause changes in vision; their symptoms primarily appear under bright light, where one can see fixed floating objects in front of the eyes, appearing in various shapes, which become unclear in darker environments. In such cases, it is important to rest and use some aminoacyl iodine eye drops for improvement. Pathological floaters should prompt a visit to the ophthalmology department for serious and thorough examinations, proactive treatment, and can completely recover vision with regular follow-ups.