How can I treat floaters in my eyes?

To be clear, floaters due to posterior vitreous detachment do not usually cause frequent headaches or strained eyes.

I would encourage you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist to rule out other eye diseases.

With regards to treatment for floaters, most of my colleagues and I would usually adopt a conservative approach to managing floaters (ie just observe). In some cases where the floaters are large and persistent, some surgeons may offer patients the option of laser or even vitrectomy though these surgical options do carry its own set of potential risks which may not outweigh the benefits of reducing the symptoms of floaters.

More importantly, with respect to new symptoms of floaters, it is recommended to have an eye exam to rule out associated serious conditions such as retinal tears and/or retinal detachment.

Bottomline in your case is to seek the attention of an ophthalmologist to find out what exactly is the roots of your problems.

There are many types and causes of floaters. 90% are benign however 1 in 10 floaters may be due to a worrying retinal tear, bleed or infection. It is most important to ascertain what the cause of your floaters are and treat the underlying problem.

The way I examine all floaters is to perform a thorough check of the retina and vitreous jelly to exclude any worrying cause. If floaters are benign, I will assess how severely the floaters are affecting your life ( I like to treat the patient as a whole person and not just the problem ). Then based on the number, size, position of the floaters and whether the vitreous is detached or attached, I will make a recommendation on whether it is suitable for the following:

1. Laser vitreolysis - which uses laser energy to disperse the floater

2. Surgical removal of floaters - which involves making small 0.5mm incisions to 'suck' out the floaters

To be honest, majority of floaters do not require any invasive treatment because our eyes usually adapt to them. However, it is always nice to know that there are treatment options available to those who have insufferable floaters which affect their quality of life severely. As with any treatment, there may be small risks involved and hence they should be performed under the right hands, preferably a retinal specialist with experience in such.

Hope that helps!

Dr Claudine Pang

Floaters are generally benign, and a detailed examination by your ophthalmologist will help you exclude important causes of floaters that require your immediate attention including retinal tears, increased cellular activity (from infections or neoplasms) or other treatable causes.

Most benign floaters are caused by condensations of the vitreous jelly in the posterior section of the eye, and for most individuals are a minor annoyance.

There are new treatments that include an injection into the back of the eye (to dissolve the jelly), disruptive YAG laser to break up the vitreous jelly into smaller (and hence less noticeable floaters), and even surgery to remove the jelly contents in the posterior segment of the eye and replace it with a balanced isotonic solution.

Do consult your ophthalmologist to determine which are the most suitable options for you! Best of luck!

ESG