For those inquiring minds wishing to read more about vitreous, vitreous related conditions, and especially in using the YAG laser to treat vitreous degenerative conditions, we have full PDF articles.
Treatment of Vitreous Floaters – W. Tsai, British Journal of Ophthalmology
NdYAG Vitreolysis vs. Vitrectomy – L. Benjamin, Eye
Understanding the Vitreous -James Lombardo, Optometry Times
Age-Related Changes in Human Vitreous Structure – J. Sebag, Graefe’s Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
Human Vitreous Fibres and Vitreoretinal Disease – J. Sebag, Transactions of the Ophthalmological Societies of the United Kingdom
Vitreoschisis – J. Sebag, Graefe’s Clin. Arch. Exp. Ophth
Myopic Vitreopathy – N. Nguyen, J. Sebag, Ophthalmic Communications Society
Initial Stages of Posterior Vitreous Detachment in Healthy Eyes of Older Person as Evaluated by Optical Coherence Tomography – E. Chino, Archives of Ophthalmology
Here are some web links to related sites:
Irv Aron’s Journal Using Lasers to Treat Vitreous Floaters. Laser Vitreolysis. Part I Doctors in the US. Irv has been in the ophthalmology laser field for years as a consultant. He wrote a lengthy article featuring the three eye doctors with the most experience treating eye floaters with a laser
Irv Aron’s Journal Using Lasers to Treat Vitreous Floaters. Laser Vitreolysis. Part II Doctors in Europe. Irv followed up his first article on the topic with this one featuring the few doctors in Europe also using the YAG laser.
Floatertalk Degenerative Vitreous Discussion Forum. An extensive English language forum entirely devoted to discussing the various approaches to dealing with eye floaters. Sub topics on Vitrectomy, Laser, Enzymatic, and Alternative Treatments. It is a public discussion forum not led by medical professionals or an established medical institution, so anything goes. Caveat Emptor
After checking various websites, and having seen an ophthalmologist last week, who couldn’t see the floater, I feel I have Weiss ring in my left eye. Along with the floater I also have bright flashes of light. I’ve not seen any information on your website that indicates if the YAG laser treatment would also resolve the flashes.
I am from eastern Canada and information gathering at the moment. The floater appeared one week ago.
The flashes of light are most likely due to an incomplete posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) which fairly common in the over-50 age group. The YAG laser treatment does not resolve the flashes. Time does. In fact, the natural course of a PVD is that it should go to completion within the first couple of weeks of the onset. Sometimes even within a few minutes of onset. While there are still flashes, your eye may still have some risk of spontaneous retinal hole or tear (which could lead to detachment of the retina). If you have any sudden increase in floaters (hundreds or thousands of small black specks), or a sudden, notable increase in flashes, or any peripheral loss of vision (like a peripheral veil or curtain) then please get in to be seen by a local ophthalmologist ASAP. I prefer to wait on treatment until the flashes have subsided.
In defense of your ophthalmologist, floaters are difficult to see if you are using the typical eye examination lenses and ophthalmoscopes and techniques. Weiss rings are probably the most obvious ones, but again, you have to be looking for them to see them sometimes. Regards, Dr. Johnson