Eye Floaters West Palm Beach, Florida

Eye floaters are squiggly lines or dots that can appear across your visual field. These dark or translucent shapes often move if you try to focus on them and are typically the most visible when you are looking at a light and bright surface such as a white wall or a sunny, blue sky.

It is important to note that most types of floaters are harmless and do not pose a significant threat to your vision. However, the sudden appearance of many floaters is always a reason to visit your eye doctor since this could be an indication of a retinal condition.

Types of Floaters in the Eye

• Dot-Shaped Floaters: This type of floater appears as a small, dark speck in your vision that may look like a grain of sand or a tiny circle.
• Thread-Shaped Floaters: Thread-like floaters are long, thin strands that may look like cobwebs, hair strands, or even tiny squiggly worms.
• Cloud-Like Floaters: These floaters appear as a larger, cloud-like shape that can often obstruct the vision in a more distracting and noticeable way.

What Causes Eye Floaters?

Eye floaters are caused when the vitreous gel that is inside the eye begins to undergo changes. These normal age-related changes can cause little clumps of collagen that are present in the gel to clump together. This casts shadows on your retina, giving you the perception of floaters in your vision. The most common causes of the formation of eye floaters are:

• Age: During the normal aging process, the vitreous gel in the eye can become more liquid and parts of it can coalesce, creating floaters.
• Retinal Damage: One of the more serious causes of eye floaters is retinal damage. Tears or detachment of the retina can pull on the gel, creating the specks or strands in your vision. Often eye floaters and flashes of light, when present together, may indicate retinal damage, especially if they happen suddenly.
• Eye Inflammation: Inflammation in the eye can lead to the formation of clumps or debris within the gel, which can cause the appearance of floaters. If you notice floaters in addition to eye redness or sensitivity, you should call for an appointment to address the cause of your eye inflammation or irritation.

Do Your Eye Floaters Require Treatment?

If you have confirmed with your eye doctor that there are no serious underlying causes behind your eye floaters, and they are not bothering you, treatment for your eye floaters may not be necessary. Often, you can become used to mild eye floaters and not notice them after a time. However, if your eye floaters are causing significant obstruction of vision or they are connected to a more serious cause, it may be necessary to treat them.

What Treatments Are Available for Eye Floaters?

At our eye clinic, our treatment for eye floaters heavily focuses on treating the root cause. Once we have determined what is causing your eye floaters, we will develop a treatment plan to improve the health of your eyes and repair any damage.

Resolving Retinal Detachment and Tears

If retinal detachment or tears are causing your eye floaters, you will require immediate medical attention to prevent vision loss. Depending on the nature of the problem, you may need surgical intervention.

At our clinic, we will quickly assess the problem and then find the right resolution. After the retinal detachment or tearing has been addressed, we can reassess your eye floaters. Some floaters may be resolved after treatment of the retinal damage while further treatment may be needed if the floaters still present a problem of vision obstruction.

Laser Floater Treatment

Certain types of eye floaters can be treated using Laser Floater Treatment (LFT), or Laser Vitreolysis. During this treatment, your doctor will use a special ophthalmic laser to emit short pulses of energy. These pulses are focused on the floaters and then vaporize them, turning the collagen molecules into a gas that is absorbed by the body.

This eye floater treatment is non-invasive and can be performed on an outpatient basis. It does not require general anesthesia but is typically performed using local anesthesia in the form of eye drops to minimize discomfort. You may feel pressure or warmth during the treatment, but it is generally very tolerable.

Eye Floaters Treatment in West Palm Beach, FL

While often a sign of natural aging in the eyes rather than a sign of serious problems, floaters in the eye can still become an irritation. At Palm Beach Eye Clinic, our services are centered around the health and comfort of our patients. Whether the floaters in your eye are a symptom of something deeper or just a mild annoyance, you can always talk to us to discuss whether any treatments are recommended in your case.
Contact us for services in West Palm Beach, FL by calling (561) 832-6113 or by filling out a contact form online.