Eye Floaters Surgical Treatments and Associated Risks

Every one of us is bound to encounter an eye floater or two in our lifetime. Although accepted as a common occurrence, there are cases of those who suffer hefty consequences due to neglecting the early symptoms and not seeking proper treatment. Serious visual impairment can cause them clear vision and the ability to read. Some even lose their mobility as they become clinically blind and are no longer allowed to drive a car or ride a bike. In such dire circumstances, some look to eye floaters surgical treatment as a possible cure to end their suffering.

Every type of corrective surgery brings along its set of risks. Since eye floaters deal with the workings of the eyeball, the risk is even higher whereby a wrong move or decision can cost the patient his vision. In order to manage these kinds of risks, it’s recommended the patient seek the advice of an eye doctor. It is more ideal to source for a doctor who specializes in eye floaters surgical treatment to correct such visual impairments. Depending on the results of tests and analysis, there are normally a couple of options up for consideration. The method of using a laser to break up the eye floaters is a complicated and risky treatment. It’s important to note that eye floaters are not removed but rather broken up into smaller fragments. In doing so, the objective is to hopefully lessen the number of larger-sized floaters and therefore regain some of the vision previously blocked by these floaters. Since actual surgery time is short, it’s considered an outpatient procedure. However, potential risk of retinal detachment during surgery and complications during post surgery recovery deter most eye specialists from performing this treatment. Outcome of the treatment is also not guaranteed to be fully successful as it differs from patient to patient.

Another option for surgery is the removal of the vitreous from the eyeball. The vitreous is the jelly-like substance in the eye and its function is to maintain the shape of the eyeball. Since eye floaters form and drift around the vitreous within the eyeball, a logical conclusion to remove said floaters is to remove the vitreous itself. The procedure involves some incisions made into the eye whereby the gel substance is then withdrawn by using a hollow needle. The empty space is then filled with a saline solution to replace the gel and hold up the eyeball’s shape. Once again, this sort of procedure draws possible risk of retinal detachment as well as cataract formation. Although the existing floaters are removed, new ones may form post surgery due to trauma imposed on the eye during surgery. Basically, it’s a case of jumping out of the pan into the fire.