Eye Floaters

Visit your Total Eyecare Optometrist for Treatment of Eye Floaters

Eye floaters are dark, cobweb-like specks appearing in your visual field that dart or vanish when you look directly at them. Floaters are especially visible when you look at bright objects without giving your eyes time to adjust to the sudden switch between dim light and bright light. Eye floaters arise from the vitreous gel (fluid comprising your inner eye) losing its firm consistency as you age. Aging causes the vitreous to dissolve and become thinner in consistency. Eventually, some vitreous gel particles break away and float near the middle of the vitreous, where these particles cross over your vision field. Shadows created by floaters interfere with the ability of your retina to receive clear, incoming light, which is why you sometimes see those quick-moving specks. Your optometrist at Total Eyecare diagnoses eye floaters using eye dilation and retinoscopy tests during eye examinations.

eye floaters treatment from your total eyecare optometrist

Retinal Detachment and Eye Floaters

If you have floaters and they suddenly increase in intensity or are accompanied by partial peripheral vision loss and/or flashes of light, you should see your optometrist as soon as possible for a diagnosis of your symptoms. Retinal detachment may have occurred if a portion of the retina is pulled or lifted away from underlying tissue. Untreated retinal detachment could cause permanent vision loss within 24 to 72 hours of the emergence of symptoms.

Retinal Tears and Holes

If the vitreous is slowly detaching from your retina, it may pull forcefully enough to create holes or tears in the retina. Retinal tears promote damage to blood vessels in the retina and may cause blood to leak into the vitreous. Eye floaters are signs of possible vitreous hemorrhage if a retinal hole or tear exists. Although most retinal tears do not cause vision loss, they can lead to retinal detachment. Treatment for retinal holes or tears includes non-incisional procedures like laser therapy or cryotherapy. Both require no anesthesia and can be completed in your eye doctor's office.

Your Total Eyecare Optometrist Provides Treatment for Eye Floaters

If eye floaters start to significantly interfere with your vision, your eye doctor may suggest a minimally invasive procedure called a vitrectomy to reduce or eliminate eye floaters. Vitrectomies remove vitreous gel containing debris and replaces the gel with a saline solution. 

A more recent treatment for eye floaters is laser vitreolysis, an in-office procedure using laser technology to vaporize large floaters. To determine if you are a good candidate for laser vitreolysis, your optometrist considers your age, how rapidly your symptoms began, shape and size of your eye floaters and where you typically see them in relation to your vision field.

Call Total Eyecare Today!

If you suffer from eye floaters, schedule an appointment today for a complete eye examination at Total Eyecare by calling (775) 738-8491. A professional diagnosis is necessary to determine if your floaters are not caused by retinal disorders. In addition, your optometrist can recommend treatment for floaters that interfere with your vision.

Location

Find us on the map

Hours of Operation

Monday

7:30 am - 6:00 pm

Tuesday

7:30 am - 6:00 pm

Wednesday

7:30 am - 6:00 pm

Thursday

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Friday

7:30 am - 6:00 pm

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

Monday
7:30 am - 6:00 pm
Tuesday
7:30 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday
7:30 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday
9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday
7:30 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed