Floaters

How do floaters form?

In the young eye, the vitreous gel is solid and is attached to the back of the eye. As the eye ages, small pockets of vitreous liquefaction (lacunae) can develop within the gel.

The lacunae may develop into large pockets and lead to separation of the gel from the back of the eye. As the gel peels away, the retina may produce light flashes (photopsias) or can sometimes be torn. Light scattering by opacities or blood in the vitreous gel may appear as "floaters" to the patient. If a tear occurs and goes untreated, it can eventually lead to retinal detachment.

Severe floaters seen against a blue sky.

Laser treatment for floaters

Until recently patients were told to ignore floaters, but clearly many patients find them unacceptable. In the last few years the YAG laser vitreolysis procedure has become a popular treatment for persistant floaters, and most patients treated by Mr Moriarty so far have been highly delighted with the outcome.

The procedure takes a few minutes and can be done in Mr Moriarty's office. There is no discomfort during or after the procedure. If you are bothered by persistant floaters, then you should be assessed to see whether laser treatment can help you.

How does laser treatment work?

The laser beam is reflected via a lens into the vitreous floater, and vaporises it by vitreolysis. Any other strands are also lasered, and the eye surgeon monitors the procedure throughout under direct vision.

Testimonials

Watching television and reading a computer screen - the latter essential given the nature of my work - had become a frustrating and tiring exercise. Reading the newspaper in other than brightly-lit conditions was impossible. I also experienced constant headaches due to the imbalance between vision in my left and right eye, despite the prescription of my spectacles being correct.

Within a few hours of receiving my first laser treatment the vision in my left eye had improved dramatically. My night vision, for driving, was quite simply like night turning in to day. All of the issues described above were considerably reduced.

The procedure itself is completely painless. The only mild discomfort experienced is when drops are placed in the eye to dilate the pupils and to act as an antiseptic. This passes in a few moments.

In summary, I would not hesitate to recommend laser treatment for floaters to anyone who experiences them and will continue to promote your practice to anyone with whom I discuss my experience.

- Mr V, Northampton

I developed a very dense left sided floater 3 years' ago. This appeared suddenly and in view of its central site made driving, reading and other activities virtually impossible with this eye. Because of the obscuring of my vision, fine tasks requiring stereoscopic vision were also extremely difficult. Continually moving my eye to temporarily displace the floater from my central vision was extremely tiresome.

I explored treatment options with a variety of Ophthalmologists, I was offered a vitrectomy in view of the severity of my symptoms. I was very wary of having such invasive surgical treatment performed and was concerned about the very significant risk of developing cataracts post-operatively, which would require further surgical intervention.

I fortunately, came across information about Yag laser treatment for floaters and this was very successfully performed by Mr Brendan Moriarty. The process entailed two visits, the treatment lasted a few minutes and was essentially completely pain free. I was able to drive later the same day. There were no adverse symptoms and the intrusive floater has been completely removed from my visual field.

- Dr C, Somerset, General Practitioner