What is the most effective treatment for floaters?

Written by Wang Hui Zhen
Ophthalmology
Updated on February 13, 2025
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Clinically known as vitreous opacity, floater disease may require treatment depending on whether it is physiological or pathological. Physiological floaters refer to the observation of floating black shadows in front of eyes when looking at objects or a blue sky. Eye examinations reveal no pathologies, thus no treatment is necessary and there are no specific treatments available. In severe cases, consideration may be given to treatments such as iodamide eye drops or laser therapy.

Pathological floaters occur when floaters suddenly appear in one eye, dramatically increase in number, or there are persistent black shadows that even diminish central vision, often associated with retinal vascular rupture, vitreous hemorrhage, or vitritis. It is advisable to seek ophthalmologic care to diagnose the cause and treat accordingly.

Common and effective treatments include retinal laser photocoagulation, intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs, or vitrectomy.

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

Is there a connection between floaters and kidney deficiency?

In Western medicine, floaters are not significantly related to kidney deficiency, and the concept of kidney deficiency in Chinese medicine is different from that in Western medicine. Therefore, the treatment for floaters primarily involves resting sufficiently, reducing close-up work to alleviate eye strain, using eyes correctly, and appropriately using some peptide iodine eye drops, which generally yield good results. If the floaters are pathological, it is necessary to visit an ophthalmology department for further examination, including an eye ultrasound, fundus photography, intraocular pressure, uncorrected visual acuity, and corrected visual acuity, to actively treat and monitor the development of the vision, aiming to restore normal vision.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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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 Jiang Wen Min
Ophthalmology
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What causes floaters in the eyes and what should be done about them?

The occurrence of floaters indicates vitreous opacification, where the vitreous body is affected by the pathological changes of the surrounding tissues, such as degeneration, bleeding, and exudation. This is known as vitreous opacification, also referred to as floaters, characterized by vitreous clouding, liquefaction, and the formation and contraction of fibrous membranes. In general, floaters in elderly people are mostly related to age-associated vitreous liquefaction. For myopic patients, particularly those with high myopia, a sudden onset of floaters or an increase in the number of opacities, accompanied by flashes of light, should raise concerns for potential retinal tears or retinal bleeding. It is essential to seek medical attention promptly and have a retinal examination performed by a doctor for diagnosis. Therefore, if the retinal condition is good and the floaters are merely due to vitreous liquefaction, one should overcome psychological stress and deal with it rationally. If the aforementioned retinal pathologies occur, one should immediately follow the doctor's advice to avoid delaying treatment.

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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.)

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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.