$@#$ing eye floaters...

[j&j]

anyone ever have these pretty badly? i've had them since maybe 12-13 years old, never really bothered me. I'm 27 now...



Now, I have noticed a bunch more and definitely more that are floating in the middle of my vision rather than just out of the corner of my eyesight.


anyone else plagued by these things?

 

[Ichinisan]

"Plagued" is a strong word. I notice them often. They don't bother me one bit.

 

[Tobolo]

I've had them all of my life as well. It's not really a problem unless it gets worse (which you mentioned). If that is the case then you need to go see a doctor as soon as possible. If you have had any recent eye trauma (or the face) then that might be the cause.

 

[j&j]

I scheduled my first specialist visit ever to see an opthamologist, but they cant get me in until Friday unless it's an emergency, which I guess I don't have at the moment.


I mean, how bad are some of yours? If i look at the sky or anything with high contrast like bright monitor with solid color light background, I have quite a number floating across my vision now.

I've been playing a lot of golf recently and last Friday was really when I started noticing quite a number as it was overcast, so "bright" cloudy which really made them stand out.

definitely no recent trauma of any kind

 

[Corporate Thug]

OP, I suffered eye trauma last year, leading me to develop floaters in my right eye. I've done a TON of research and decided to get a vitrectomy (likely in April).

Mine is a long line that whip lashes across my central vision upon any eye movement. It spans my entire vertical line of sight.

Edit: I'm 27 as well...perfect vision otherwise.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Usually not a problem unless you suddenly go from having none to having a lot in a very short amount of time.

If that is the case then see your optho ASAP.

 

[keird]

Do you suddenly get distracted in mid-conversation and start grabbing at them?

 

[j&j]

While I've always had them I definitely had a sudden increase (both eyes it seems, which again is confusing), which is why I am going to the doctor (never been to an opthomologist before)

to corp thug, i've heard of that, but also heard it's fairly risky at this point... although i haven't done near the research you have probably.

in short, what have you found?

 

[j&j]

Do you suddenly get distracted in mid-conversation and start grabbing at them?

no, but i literally want to pick the fucking things right out of my eyeballs.

it's mega fucking distracting while trying to concentrate on hitting a golf ball sometimes.

 

[Gillbot]

Usually not a problem unless you suddenly go from having none to having a lot in a very short amount of time.

If that is the case then see your optho ASAP.

Also a problem if they continue to worsen. My doctor is monitoring mine. I had a severe trauma in my younger years (18) but now at 35 they are much worse, but somewhat stable. As long as it doesn't progress further, I should be ok.

 

[Jodell88]

no, but i literally want to pick the fucking things right out of my eyeballs.

it's mega fucking distracting while trying to concentrate on hitting a golf ball sometimes.

/firstworldproblems :biggrin:

 

[waggy]

I get them on occasion. i hate them

 

[irishScott]

I get them every once in a while in my right eye, which suffered trauma back in high school. Not serious though, and I can essentially ignore them. 90% of the time they're not around.

 

[TridenT]

Yes, it annoys the hell out of me.

I notice them almost all the time, but when I am tired they get really unbearable. Also, it depends on lighting conditions.

 

[Corporate Thug]

it's very sad that so few retinal surgeons even discuss/offer vitrectomy as a treatment. Fortunately, there is a small movement of doctors who are championing the cause.

 

[mizzou]

I have tons, they suck ass

 

[qliveur]

God, I feel lucky.

 

[NetWareHead]

Can you post a pic of your problem???

 

[Corporate Thug]

Can you post a pic of your problem???

Here is mine but only the long diagonal lone one through the center and thinner.

http://skyvisioncenters.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html

 

[NFS4]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I7_al4mrfg

 

[Jeff7]

I've had them since I was very young, before kindergarten at least. I remember looking at the blue sky way back then and seeing the little things moving around; I'd try to "chase" them around with my eyes, trying to keep one in focus.

Aaaand I've still got them. Every week or two it feels like there's a really big one in there, and I'll get a fuzzy spot on my vision for a brief period. Jiggling my eyes around in various directions seems to get it to settle elsewhere for awhile. The optometrist didn't seem too concerned when I was there last time though, which I think was within the past year.

I've actually got about a half dozen of the stupid things visible right now.

 

[j&j]

Good to know I'm not alone, I still am unsure why a good number would appear rather suddenly without head trauma, etc.

To Corporate Thug, what is the procedure cost? Is that something you got your insurance to cover as it may seem they could consider that elective?

 

[j&j]

Also a problem if they continue to worsen. My doctor is monitoring mine. I had a severe trauma in my younger years (18) but now at 35 they are much worse, but somewhat stable. As long as it doesn't progress further, I should be ok.

What did your doctor suggest as a possible scenario if they worsen?

 

[Corporate Thug]

Good to know I'm not alone, I still am unsure why a good number would appear rather suddenly without head trauma, etc.

To Corporate Thug, what is the procedure cost? Is that something you got your insurance to cover as it may seem they could consider that elective?

No sir, it's not elective. It's covered by insurance. It's not like lasik where there is an acceptable second option (i.e. glasses).

Costs very dramatically. I've gotten estimates of anywhere between $3500 - $20000 depending on hospital and location. Ironically, the cheapest price came from one of the most respect/leading surgeons in the area from Arizona but his costs are so low because (1) it's the cash price quote and (2) he preforms the surgery at a privately owned facility rather than a hospital.

The operation takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour and has an estimated recovery time of 5 days.

EDIT: Floaters are not usually caused by trauma but rather the liquification of the vitreous (the viscous gel in your eye) peeling about from the retina causing collagen fibers to stick to each other and cause floaters.

http://www.aboutfloaters.com/causes.htm

Trauma can cause detachment of the vitreous (it's called post vitreous detachment "PVD").

 

[Corporate Thug]

What did your doctor suggest as a possible scenario if they worsen?

there are only three options for floaters (1) live with it; (2) YAG laser treatment; (3) vitrectomy.

YAG laser treatment is done only by a handful of doctors. Every ophthalmologist I've went to recommends against it. I know a handful of people who have done it and the general consensus is little to no improvement (even though it's low risk). A lost of people have also reported WORSE vision because the procedure kicks up debris.