Can A Floater In The Eye Be Removed?

Floaters are a common eye complaint that affects many people. While they might cause little or no problems for some people, there are cases where they can impact on your quality of life. If this is your situation, you’ll be likely to ask the question, “Can a floater in the eye be removed?”The short answer is, in many cases, yes. So let’s take a closer look at what you need to know about eye floater removal.

Eye Floater Removal: What you need to know

•     Can a floater in the eye be removed?
•     How is an eye floater removal performed?
•     Are there any risks to eye floater removal?
•     Should I be worried about eye floaters?

Can a floater in the eye be removed?

In general, it’s possible to remove eye floaters. They’re caused by the vitreous (the jelly-like substance within the eye) shrinking and pulling away tiny amounts of the collagen fiber that make up the retina. These then “float” within the eye and we perceive them as tiny lines, dots, or flashes. While many people simply learn to live with them, in some cases they become more than a minor irritation. If this is the case, your eye surgeon has a variety of options available to remove them.

How is an eye floater removal performed?

Eye floaters are removed in one of two ways:YAG Vitreolysis: This is a type of non-invasive laser surgery (often called laser floater surgery) that targets the floater/s, breaking them down so they become imperceptible or are absorbed into the vitreous. It’s a relatively new treatment that’s carried out by an experienced and qualified eye surgeon. Multiple sessions are needed (up to 3), carried out over intervals spaced apart by 4-6 weeks. The procedure is performed under local anesthetic on an out-patient basis.Vitrectomy: This is where the part or all of the vitreous is removed and replaced with a salt solution. It’s an invasive procedure and is therefore carried out under general anesthetic.For those deemed suitable for eye floater removal, your ophthalmologist will discuss which procedure is best for your situation.

Are there any risks to eye floater removal?

There are associated risks, especially with a vitrectomy. These tend to be that of retinal detachment or the formation of cataracts. For this reason, most floaters are treated through YAG Vitreolysis, a procedure that comes with less than a 1% chance of any complications.  

Should I be worried about eye floaters?

In the large majority of cases, eye floaters are nothing to worry about. For most people, they’re simply a minor irritation—one that often improves over a period of around six months, so much so that you’ll only notice them when staring at a light background (like the sky or a computer screen).However, there are rare occasions when floaters signify another, more serious, underlying issue. The most common of these is a retinal tear or detachment. Should this happen, the sudden appearance of floaters, or an increase in the number of them, is a fairly classic symptom. If this should occur then you should contact your eye doctor without delay so they can examine you, either confirming or ruling out this potentially serious condition.

Contact The West Boca Eye Center for Laser Eye Floater Removal

The West Boca Eye Center, or WBEC, provides the very latest in laser eye floater removal surgery. Lead clinician, Brent Bellotte MD., is well known for his expertise in conducting the procedure and will carry out a detailed assessment to determine your suitability for surgery.Visit https://westbocaeyecenter.com to find out more and get in contact to schedule your appointment.