What tests should be done at the hospital for floaters?

Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 09, 2024
00:00
00:00

To diagnose floaters, hospitals primarily use ultrasound B-scans, which are the most objective and non-invasive examinations, providing insights into the condition of the vitreous body. Floaters can be either physiological or pathological. Physiological floaters generally do not affect vision, and addressing them usually involves rest and proper eye care. If needed, treatment options may include Amniotic Iodine eye drops or oral intake of Lecithin Iodine complexes. However, if the floaters are pathological, proactive eye examinations and rigorous treatment are necessary. In severe cases, surgical intervention might be considered to preserve vision, as the causes of pathological vitreous opacities are diverse.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
48sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
51sec home-news-image

What will happen if the floater condition becomes severe?

Floater, also called vitreous opacity, can affect vision if it is severe. Vitreous opacity can be divided into physiological and pathological types. Physiological vitreous opacities, generally referred to as floaters, do not affect vision. They are more visible in bright light and less visible in dim light or at night. Treatment primarily involves rest, proper eye usage, and the appropriate use of Amiodine eye drops, with regular check-ups recommended. If vision is affected, further examination in an ophthalmology department is advised, including checks of intraocular pressure, an ocular B-scan ultrasound, and fundus photography, with treatment adjusted according to the condition and regular reviews. (Please use medication under the guidance of a physician.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
49sec home-news-image

Is floaters related to the liver?

Floater syndrome is generally not associated with the liver, but Traditional Chinese Medicine theory believes it is related to the liver. The liver in Traditional Chinese Medicine is not the physical liver in our body, but rather a theoretical concept. Floater syndrome can generally be divided into physiological floaters and pathological floaters, also known as vitreous opacity. Physiological vitreous opacity generally does not require special treatment; it is sufficient to rest, use eye drops regularly, such as Amiodone eye drops, or conduct regular check-ups. If it is pathological vitreous opacity, one should visit an ophthalmology clinic for an eye ultrasound and a fundus photography examination to receive active treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tao Yuan
Ophthalmology
54sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
45sec home-news-image

Can teenagers get floaters?

Floater syndrome can also occur in adolescents. Floater syndrome is also known as vitreous haze. Mild vitreous haze does not affect vision, but it is more noticeable under bright light. The shapes vary, and they seem to fly in front of the eyes, typically not visible in darker environments, which means they are hard to see at night. In such cases, it is important to rest properly and use one's eyes correctly. If there is any refractive error, it should be correctly addressed with appropriate glasses. If conditions like myopia, hypermetropia, or astigmatism are not actively treated, they can lead to varying degrees of amblyopia or strabismus, thus they should be taken seriously.