Floaters, age and vitrectomy

Discussion in 'Optometry Archives' started by t_mark, Jan 25, 2004.

  1. t_mark

    t_mark Guest

    I know there are tons of floater questions, but I've not been able to find
    the answer to this: vitreous breakdown/separation is noted as 'normal with
    age'. What sort of 'age' are we talking about? I began developing floaters
    (primarily strings, sometimes large) in my mid-20s and they have slowly
    increased. I'm now 33 and I have a few small blobs here or there, but my
    eyes are full of cobwebs and strings. Looking at a sunny backdrop reveals a
    whole other set of cobwebs I normally don't see. The most annoying thing is
    how cobwebs and strings that I don't actually see as black lines seem to
    nevertheless catch light and cause these ever-so-slightly glowing
    impressions swimming around as I look at something.

    I had an opth exam in late November of 2003, and he said everything 'looked
    good'. In case he hadn't seen floaters, I mentioned that I had them (in
    both eyes) and that they were there in droves. He seemed unconcerned, and
    noted again that the retina looked healthy. I do not have distortions on
    grid tests, no fuzzy or blurry or dark spots in my vision. I do have lots
    and lots of tiny flashes going on with regularity, probably a few times per
    hour on average. Am I just suffering from early vitreous breakdown?

    I've also read the many stories and cautions about vitrectomies, but I've
    read lately that the truly bad experiences (use of gas bubbles or silicon
    gels and having to remain prone for months) generally come from a vitrectomy
    done after a trauma to the retina (hole, tear, etc.). I've read of several
    people who have had this fluid replaced simply to clear our the garbage from
    their eyes. I'm aware of the risks and seriousness of the procedure, but is
    it accurate that vitrectomies for this reason (no trauma, just cleaning)
    tend to be recovered from more quickly and more easily? I work a good 10
    hours a day on computers, and am constantly reading the screen or something
    else, and the constant, slow increase in floaters has made it difficult to
    habituate to them. They are becoming very obtrusive for my line of work.
    (Which involves a lot of reading of small text as well as graphic design.)
     
    t_mark, Jan 25, 2004
    #1
    1. Advertisements

  2. t_mark

    t_mark Guest

    As a small follow-up, I forgot to mention that the small flashes I've been
    getting are in my central vision, or actually in my entire field of vision -
    not just at the periphery. Does this indicate anything unusual? Someone
    elsewhere mentioned the possibility that if I have a great many floaters,
    cobwebs and strings that it's possible they could be striking the retina and
    creating these very brief twinges of light. These are not large flashes,
    they're just tiny, usually white specs of light that go off. Sometimes
    there is a larger blob as though I'd been looking at a light bulb or other
    bright light in the past minute, the blob is sort of purple and large and
    then fades away, and these are much more rare. This is definitely happening
    in both eyes separately.
     
    t_mark, Jan 25, 2004
    #2
    1. Advertisements

  3. t_mark

    Dan Roberts Guest

    Age is relative. Some of us, and the various parts of our bodies, are
    genetically prone to aging at different rates. Floaters can start to appear
    at age 30 or even younger. What you are seeing are shadows of vitreous
    debris that has pulled away from your retina. You can read more about the
    condition at:

    http://www.mdsupport.org/library/floaters.html

    In cases where floaters are causing significant vision difficulties, a
    vitrectomy (i.e. replacement of the vitreous) can take care of this. Also,
    some doctors have had success using lasers to break up floaters. You can
    read about the vitrectomy procedure, and you can view photos of an actual
    operation (if you aren't squeamish) on the MD Support site at:

    http://www.mdsupport.org/library/vitrect.html

    The flashes of light can be an indication of a retinal problem, as can the
    dark image you are seeing. I suggest that you make an appointment with a
    retinal specialist to have an angiogram done (photos of your retina). This
    will identify anything that might be going on.

    After your exam, if you are told that you have a retinal condition which
    might lead to vision loss, please remember that you can find information and
    help on the MD Support site linked below.

    Best regards,

    Dan Roberts, Director
    Macular Degeneration Support
    Web site: http://www.mdsupport.org
    Email:
     
    Dan Roberts, Jan 25, 2004
    #3
  4. Excuse me, do you wear eyeglasses or had some sort of contacts or surgery?

    What is your visual acuity before a snellen chart?

    What is the distance at the near point where you can still read fine
    print without straining?

    Thank you.

    --
    Please visit
    http://www.stores.ebay.it/juppiterconsultingrishi
    and you can buy a replica of the Original Dr. Bates book
    "Perfect Sight Without Glasses"
    and if you are interested, join the group
    http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/PerfectSight/
     
    Rishi Giovanni Gatti, Jan 26, 2004
    #4
  5. t_mark

    t_mark Guest

    Excuse me, do you wear eyeglasses or had some sort of contacts or surgery?

    I wear glasses for distance vision. I'm correctable to 20/20, though I'm
    honestly not certain what I am beforehand.

    Not sure, maybe 2 or 3 inches from the tip of my nose.
     
    t_mark, Jan 26, 2004
    #5
  6. Without glasses, right?
     
    Rishi Giovanni Gatti, Jan 26, 2004
    #6
  7. t_mark

    t_mark Guest

    Not sure, maybe 2 or 3 inches from the tip of my nose.
    Yup, I never wear glasses for anything within computer monitor range.
     
    t_mark, Jan 26, 2004
    #7
  8. But what do you see in the distance without glasses?
     
    Rishi Giovanni Gatti, Jan 27, 2004
    #8
  9. t_mark

    drfrank21 Guest

    If you had a thorough dilated retinal exam in November and the provider
    didn't see anything abnormal (horseshoe tears,holes, etc) I wouldn't be
    overly concerned. I realize that your numerous floaters (and possibly syneresis)
    is a major nuisance but a vitrectomy is not done in your type of situation (at least
    none of the retinal guys I know would do the procedure). BTW, is this both
    eyes or just the one? Posterior vitreal separations usually increase in frequency
    as one gets older but I've seen many in your age group (especially those who
    are highly myopic).

    There is no good medical or surgical procedure for your problem I'm afraid.
    Please disregard everything the nitwit "Rishigg" is telling you- he's one of the
    group's resident trolls.

    Be sure to get an annual (or sooner if additional symptoms "pop-up") dilated
    retinal evaluation to be on the safe and prudent side.

    frank
     
    drfrank21, Jan 27, 2004
    #9
  10. t_mark

    Simon Dean Guest

    Interesting, he certainly perceives himself as a miracle worker and
    compares himself to Jesus on several occasions.

    Cya
    Simon
     
    Simon Dean, Jan 27, 2004
    #10
  11. Rishi Giovanni Gatti, Jan 27, 2004
    #11
  12. t_mark

    t_mark Guest

    If you had a thorough dilated retinal exam in November and the provider
    Thanks for your reply. Actually, the flashes are the thing of most concern
    at the moment, but less because they're obtrusive than that I'm concerned
    that they might be a retinal nerve problem. In thinking the situation over
    I realize I've had intermittent flashes like this for years and years
    (dating back to the appearance of the floaters), this just appears more
    frequent. I am getting larger flashes on the edge of my vision albeit much
    less commonly, and the center flashes are just pinpricks.

    I believe both eyes began doing this at roughly the same time. Initially it
    was my left eye in which the floaters appeared, and my right eye followed
    some months later. Currently most of the flashes appear to be in my right
    eye.

    I am definitely myopic, and have spent the better part of over the last
    decade working at least 8 hours daily (even on weekends) on computer
    screens, often much more. Does this generally occur in both eyes at roughly
    the same time?
     
    t_mark, Jan 27, 2004
    #12
  13. Excuse me, what I do not understand is if you WEAR OR NOT your glasses
    while working at the computer.

    Because, if you DO WEAR them while working on the computer, just discard
    them and you will see your flashes disappear.

    If you DO NOT wear them, well, I am wrong.


    --
    Please visit
    http://www.stores.ebay.it/juppiterconsultingrishi
    and you can buy a replica of the Original Dr. Bates book
    "Perfect Sight Without Glasses"
    and if you are interested, join the group
    http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/PerfectSight/
     
    Rishi Giovanni Gatti, Jan 27, 2004
    #13
  14. none of the retinal guys I know would do the procedure). BTW, is this both

    I really would like to know if you have some cases of myopic people with
    retinal detachment who had never worn glasses.

    How can you be so sure that glasses are not a predisposing cause of this
    retinal detachment and all that???

    It seems to me that all the diseases of the eye have a story, a
    background, of eyeglasses correction.

    Does ever anybody had such problems without using glasses?

    This will be interesting to know because I think that the correction,
    the "cure" you sell, is really dangerous.
     
    Rishi Giovanni Gatti, Jan 27, 2004
    #14
  15. what happens to farsighetd people?
    does they get macular degeneration?
    what about presbyopic people?
    are their eyes immune to macular degeneration?

    I do not know the facts, I am here to learn from you !
    The topic of shoes was raised not so long ago, and it was an interesting
    one.

    Numbers, please!!!
     
    Rishi Giovanni Gatti, Jan 27, 2004
    #15
  16. t_mark

    Dan Roberts Guest

    It is true that vitrectomy surgery is not favored as a method for removing
    floaters, but it is being done successfully in severe cases. Here is some
    reliable information on that subject, as well as use of laser surgery for
    the same purpose:

    http://www.agingeye.net/visionbasics/flashesandfloaters.php

    I hope this is helpful.

    Dan Roberts, Director
    Macular Degeneration Support
    Web site: http://www.mdsupport.org
    Email:
     
    Dan Roberts, Jan 27, 2004
    #16
  17. I cannot say that: I say that it is strange that everybody who has
    macular degeneration or retinal detachment DO WEAR GLASSES.
    But develop cataracts.
    You are lying. You say you have the information and the science,
    nonetheless you are not able to help anybody, so you have no information
    nor sience, so you are liars.

    You should use it and then discard it, if I understand the word.
    Why this does not happen for the eyes?

    It is clear to me that if you use glasses, and do not take care of your
    imperfect sight in the right way, you develop all sorts of ill
    conditions in the eyes and in the mind too.

    Just look around yourself: do you see people truly happy?

    I see you do not answer the question.

    Is there anybody with macular degeneration AND no glasses (no imperfect
    sight)?

    Tell me about that 10% who DO has macular degeneration. Is there at
    least ONE person that hasn't got glasses?

    How do you explain this absence of occourrences?

    It should be meaningful!

    If the strain produces macular degeneration, and there are many levels
    of strain, then correcting the strain by glasses is impossible, hence
    the macular degeneration develops despite the glasses, if not because of
    the glasses.

    Please give complete numbers, at least from what age do you start to count!
    Nobody has ever enquired about habits impressed on the child by
    relatives or parents, I think. Have you checked this in animals, born in
    non-families? It should be interesting to know the genetics of this
    experiment.

    It seems to me that children acquire bad habits from parents.

    Imperfect sight is just a bad habit.

    If you have numbers, please share them!
    Women have 5 more years of age and also population, so it's not
    difficult to believe that.

    Of course, they lack the great healing power of the Sun.

    Probably because it is taught to them to defend themselves from the Sun.
    Heart disease is a classical sign of mental strain!!!
    Of course health is a wholeness.
    Smoke is the first sign of mental strain. No wonder it is so.
     
    Rishi Giovanni Gatti, Jan 27, 2004
    #17
  18. t_mark

    drfrank21 Guest

    Don't want to be overly cautious but it might be a good idea to get another
    dilated retinal exam in the near future with the continuance of your light
    flashes. Just to make sure there isn't a sneaky retinal tear popping up.

    Your computer usage has nothing to do with your flashes/floaters but your
    myopia does. It really depends but it isn't uncommon for both eyes
    to have concurrent symptoms - doesn't signify anything insidious.

    frank
     
    drfrank21, Jan 28, 2004
    #18
  19. Again you do not have any clue.
    Perhaps you are a doctor!!!

    --
    Please visit
    http://www.stores.ebay.it/juppiterconsultingrishi
    and you can buy a replica of the Original Dr. Bates book
    "Perfect Sight Without Glasses"
    and if you are interested, join the group
    http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/PerfectSight/
     
    Rishi Giovanni Gatti, Jan 28, 2004
    #19
  20. t_mark

    t_mark Guest

    Not sure I was clear (I may have misread the first question). Once small
    print is a few inches away from my nose I can read it clearly, and
    everything stays clear out to maybe 30 inches. Closer than a few inches
    from my nose, my eyes strain and it's difficult to focus on the small
    lettering. And further out than 30-ish or so it's just blurry.

    I've read of the cataract problem. Is that with any fluid used? I'm still
    unclear as to whether oil and/or gas are always used, or if simple saline
    solutions are used at times. I had thought the oils and gases had the
    greater chance of cataract complication.
     
    t_mark, Jan 30, 2004
    #20
    1. Advertisements

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.