Is the risk of surgery for floaters high?

Written by Wang Hui Zhen
Ophthalmology
Updated on May 20, 2025
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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
41sec home-news-image

Are the floaters in floater eye disease always black?

Floaters generally appear as black, fixed, variously shaped materials floating in front of the eyes, and are more visible in bright light than in dim light. This condition is called physiological vitreous opacity. If the color turns red or brown, it should be considered as vitreous hemorrhage or retinal pathology, and a further eye examination at an ophthalmology department is recommended. This usually indicates pathological vitreous opacity, which can severely affect vision. For physiological vitreous opacities, it is important to rest, reduce close-up activities, and appropriately use some Ametin iodide eye drops. Treatment can generally lead to improvement.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Is floater related to wearing colored contact lenses?

Floaters are not related to wearing cosmetic contact lenses at all. Floaters are due to vitreous opacity, which can be categorized into physiological and pathological vitreous opacity. Physiological vitreous opacity generally does not affect vision, whereas pathological vitreous opacity significantly impacts vision and requires further examination by an ophthalmologist. Additionally, cosmetic contact lenses are worn on the cornea and mainly cause corneal damage, such as keratitis and conjunctivitis. Therefore, when wearing cosmetic contact lenses, one should handle them correctly, gently, and ensure the lenses are regularly cleaned and soaked as per guidelines.

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Written by Zheng Xin
Ophthalmology
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Does floaters need surgery?

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 Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Can flying mosquito disease go untreated for over twenty years?

If it is physiological floaters, generally there is no special treatment, and they are relatively stable and do not affect vision. Patients mainly experience floating shapes that vary in appearance in front of their eyes. Typically, these floaters are more visible under bright light and less visible or invisible under dim light. If there are not many floaters, it is advised to rest and treat the symptoms accordingly. If the patient requests treatment, therapies like amino iodine eye drops or sodium hyaluronate eye drops can be used. Treatment can improve the patient's mood, but generally, the condition does not worsen.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Can flying mosquito disease be treated with a hot compress on the eyes?

Floaters can completely be treated with warm compresses on the eyes, but if the purpose is to treat floaters, then it is meaningless because warm compresses have no effect on the treatment of floaters. Floaters can be divided into physiological floaters and pathological floaters. Physiological floaters do not affect vision at all; one cannot see clearly in dark places, but can see floaters in bright conditions. In such cases, it is only necessary to ensure adequate rest, use eyes properly, and appropriately use medicines like Ammonium Iodide Peptide Eye Drops, or Phosphatidylcholine Complex Iodine Tablets. If it is a pathological vitreous opacity, one should visit the ophthalmology department for thorough examinations and active treatment to strive for the restoration of vision. (Please use medication under the guidance of a physician.)