Comments for Vitreous Floater Solutions - Real Treatment for Eye Floaters http://vitreousfloatersolutions.com A comprehensive source on treatment of eye floaters by an eye surgeon specializing in this field Mon, 07 May 2012 18:58:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on Testimonials and Personal Experiences by Richard Seidman, M.D. http://vitreousfloatersolutions.com/testimonials/#comment-5755 Richard Seidman, M.D. Mon, 07 May 2012 18:58:07 +0000 http://vitreousfloatersolutions.com/?page_id=471#comment-5755 I am a cardiologist who specializes in heart catheterization, angiograms and coronary stenting. Three years ago, I noticed the abrupt onset of an intermittent large area of haziness in my right eye. I was seen by a general ophthalmologist who referred me to a retina specialist. He told me that it was a large floater and I should live with it. He told me he could do a vitrectomy if it was very troubling. Being an invasive procedure and having a 50 % chance of getting a cataract one year later was not acceptable to me. IT TOOK ME 2 MORE YEARS TO FIND DR JOHNSON. I researched the Internet and found two ophthalmologists who would treat floaters with laser. Both of them were located on the East Coast and neither dedicated their practice to the treatment of floaters. I finally goggled “Floaters and California” I found DR Johnson. I asked the retina specialist about laser therapy for floaters. The retinologist told me that the technique was not recommended. As a physician, I hesitated to have anything done that was not endorsed therapy by the medical community, but I was really bothered by my intermittent cloud curtain. Finally, I went for an evaluation. Dr Johnson was thorough and patient. I was treated the same day and was absolutely amazed. My vision was dramatically improved. I could see clearly for the first time in three years. I just regret that I did not go see him 2 years earlier. I wish I had been directly referred to him by the retina specialist. Based upon my research and personal experience, I would unequivocally recommend Dr Johnson if your floaters are interfering with your daily vision. He is a world-class expert with experience. Richard Seidman MD FACC I am a cardiologist who specializes in heart catheterization, angiograms and coronary stenting. Three years ago, I noticed the abrupt onset of an intermittent large area of haziness in my right eye. I was seen by a general ophthalmologist who referred me to a retina specialist. He told me that it was a large floater and I should live with it. He told me he could do a vitrectomy if it was very troubling. Being an invasive procedure and having a 50 % chance of getting a cataract one year later was not acceptable to me. IT TOOK ME 2 MORE YEARS TO FIND DR JOHNSON. I researched the Internet and found two ophthalmologists who would treat floaters with laser. Both of them were located on the East Coast and neither dedicated their practice to the treatment of floaters. I finally goggled “Floaters and California” I found DR Johnson. I asked the retina specialist about laser therapy for floaters. The retinologist told me that the technique was not recommended. As a physician, I hesitated to have anything done that was not endorsed therapy by the medical community, but I was really bothered by my intermittent cloud curtain. Finally, I went for an evaluation. Dr Johnson was thorough and patient. I was treated the same day and was absolutely amazed. My vision was dramatically improved. I could see clearly for the first time in three years. I just regret that I did not go see him 2 years earlier. I wish I had been directly referred to him by the retina specialist.
Based upon my research and personal experience, I would unequivocally recommend Dr Johnson if your floaters are interfering with your daily vision. He is a world-class expert with experience.

Richard Seidman MD FACC

]]> Comment on Age 45 and older by Dave http://vitreousfloatersolutions.com/olderfloaters/#comment-5706 Dave Mon, 07 May 2012 02:02:33 +0000 http://vitreousfloatersolutions.wordpress.com/?page_id=56#comment-5706 thank you Dr Johnson for your answer--hard to say re the grouping vs hazy--there seems to be both, with a large out of focus cluster (?) that seems to move rapidly and opposite to my eye movement, and creates blurring of about 1/3rd of my visual field as it darts by. I believe my eye Dr said that it was a big grouping of floaters--and also that they were far enough away from the retina that he would consider "cutting" them loose--he apparently will do this occasionally with a YAG with floaters. I am not going to do this, will see you if anyone--thanks again <hr /><em>answer: I have not found the "cutting them loose" to be a predictably effective technique. There is no primary strand that suspends or holds the floaters in position. Something as large as you have described probably will take a bit of work. It does not sound like a few well-placed shots would make a huge improvement. Oh and thanks for your vote of confidence. - Dr. Johnson thank you Dr Johnson for your answer–hard to say re the grouping vs hazy–there seems to be both, with a large out of focus cluster (?) that seems to move rapidly and opposite to my eye movement, and creates blurring of about 1/3rd of my visual field as it darts by. I believe my eye Dr said that it was a big grouping of floaters–and also that they were far enough away from the retina that he would consider “cutting” them loose–he apparently will do this occasionally with a YAG with floaters. I am not going to do this, will see you if anyone–thanks again

answer: I have not found the “cutting them loose” to be a predictably effective technique. There is no primary strand that suspends or holds the floaters in position. Something as large as you have described probably will take a bit of work. It does not sound like a few well-placed shots would make a huge improvement. Oh and thanks for your vote of confidence. – Dr. Johnson

]]> Comment on Floaters after Vitrectomy by Mike W http://vitreousfloatersolutions.com/floaters-after-vitrectomy/#comment-5646 Mike W Sat, 05 May 2012 20:58:04 +0000 http://vitreousfloatersolutions.com/?p=475#comment-5646 Im 54 years of age - I'm on coumadin for heart valve replacement, I have the lazy eye in my right eye. My left eye two days ago had a brown spot, which the following day became almost the shape of a fried egg ( floater ) with thousands of black spots in the center. I can tolerate the spots , but the ring around the edge impedes me. With all that I explained am I a candidate? <hr /><em> answer: the determination of the "treatability" of any individual ultimately must be done here in person. Your description of what sounds like a sudden-onset moving shadows with the thousands of black spots is suggestive of a small hemorrhage associated with a posterior vitreous detachment. The fact that you are on Coumadin (which is a blood thinner and decreases the clotting ability of the blood) perhaps makes a small hemorrhage even more likely. Sometimes when the vitreous pulls away from the retina it can tear a superficial and small blood vessel. It does not take much blood, even a fraction of a drop, to release tens of thousands of individual red blood cells. These, if sitting close enough to the retina, will be seen as round or donut shaped shadows. It is also possible that in the process of a posterior Vitreous detachment the vitreous may have pulled and tugged on the retina and caused a small retinal hole or tear. with either possibility, I would strongly recommend that you get a thorough and dilated eye examination by a qualified eye doctor. It is not an emergency, but it should be done in a timely manner. If your Doctor can competently rule out any retina involvement, then you can expect that much of the red blood cells will clear on its own. Some of them do become trapped and embedded in the thick and sticky vitreous gel and so you might see reasonably formed shadows with a speckled or dotted appearance from the individual red blood cells. RBC's have a maximum lifespan of about 3 to 4 months. I would give it at least that amount of time before considering have any anything done about your eye floaters. Im 54 years of age – I’m on coumadin for heart valve replacement, I have the lazy eye in my right eye. My left eye two days ago had a brown spot, which the following day became almost the shape of a fried egg ( floater ) with thousands of black spots in the center. I can tolerate the spots , but the ring around the edge impedes me. With all that I explained am I a candidate?

answer: the determination of the “treatability” of any individual ultimately must be done here in person. Your description of what sounds like a sudden-onset moving shadows with the thousands of black spots is suggestive of a small hemorrhage associated with a posterior vitreous detachment. The fact that you are on Coumadin (which is a blood thinner and decreases the clotting ability of the blood) perhaps makes a small hemorrhage even more likely. Sometimes when the vitreous pulls away from the retina it can tear a superficial and small blood vessel. It does not take much blood, even a fraction of a drop, to release tens of thousands of individual red blood cells. These, if sitting close enough to the retina, will be seen as round or donut shaped shadows. It is also possible that in the process of a posterior Vitreous detachment the vitreous may have pulled and tugged on the retina and caused a small retinal hole or tear. with either possibility, I would strongly recommend that you get a thorough and dilated eye examination by a qualified eye doctor. It is not an emergency, but it should be done in a timely manner. If your Doctor can competently rule out any retina involvement, then you can expect that much of the red blood cells will clear on its own. Some of them do become trapped and embedded in the thick and sticky vitreous gel and so you might see reasonably formed shadows with a speckled or dotted appearance from the individual red blood cells. RBC’s have a maximum lifespan of about 3 to 4 months. I would give it at least that amount of time before considering have any anything done about your eye floaters.

]]> Comment on Age 45 and older by Lorrie http://vitreousfloatersolutions.com/olderfloaters/#comment-5639 Lorrie Sat, 05 May 2012 18:52:36 +0000 http://vitreousfloatersolutions.wordpress.com/?page_id=56#comment-5639 I have been told since my very first eye exam when I was a teenager that I had floaters. I am now 60 years old and have also had laser eye surgery. But I have so many floaters it is as if I am seeing thru gauze. So if I were to have this treatment what are the odds of them returning in that I have had them since such a young age? I have had vitreous detachment now in both eyes. <hr /><em>answer: Lorrie, first with the usual disclaimers: each eye is different and there is no foolproof and reliable way of describing the floaters or predicting their "treatability" without seeing them in person. Usually the floaters that people have in their teens are quite different from the ones that they experience in their 50's or 60's. The floaters that younger people describe are typically filaments and fine strands or dots with very definite shape and outline. These are most often located within 1 or 2 mm proximity to the retina. The one bit of good news is that when that patient experiences a posterior vitreous detachment, that event should pull all of that material away from the retina where they will be less bothersome or not seen out all. The bad news is that that patient may have bigger and more bothersome floaters associated with the PVD, such as the gauze that you described. So to answer your question, I do not think that these small and fine filament-like floaters would return as there is no longer a thick vitreous fluid to trap them close to the retina. If you are describing eye floaters that are like looking through gauze, then it is not likely the same type of floaters that you had when you are younger. I have been told since my very first eye exam when I was a teenager that I had floaters. I am now 60 years old and have also had laser eye surgery. But I have so many floaters it is as if I am seeing thru gauze. So if I were to have this treatment what are the odds of them returning in that I have had them since such a young age? I have had vitreous detachment now in both eyes.

answer: Lorrie, first with the usual disclaimers: each eye is different and there is no foolproof and reliable way of describing the floaters or predicting their “treatability” without seeing them in person. Usually the floaters that people have in their teens are quite different from the ones that they experience in their 50′s or 60′s. The floaters that younger people describe are typically filaments and fine strands or dots with very definite shape and outline. These are most often located within 1 or 2 mm proximity to the retina. The one bit of good news is that when that patient experiences a posterior vitreous detachment, that event should pull all of that material away from the retina where they will be less bothersome or not seen out all. The bad news is that that patient may have bigger and more bothersome floaters associated with the PVD, such as the gauze that you described. So to answer your question, I do not think that these small and fine filament-like floaters would return as there is no longer a thick vitreous fluid to trap them close to the retina. If you are describing eye floaters that are like looking through gauze, then it is not likely the same type of floaters that you had when you are younger.

]]> Comment on Testimonials and Personal Experiences by Richard B http://vitreousfloatersolutions.com/testimonials/#comment-5399 Richard B Wed, 02 May 2012 05:55:38 +0000 http://vitreousfloatersolutions.com/?page_id=471#comment-5399 May 1, 2012 Hello Dr. Johnson I wanted to report my immense satisfaction with the two-day treatment completed today. I would estimate you corrected 75% on my blockage the first day - a blockage which greatly affected my ability to read books without glasses or increasing the font size on the computer. Today's treatment has removed 90% of what remained after day one. I think you could call this the 95-97% solution overall. As I mentioned, before treatment when I looked a a bare incandescent light in an otherwise dark environment my right eye was clear but the left eye was closer to looking through a window coated with vaseline. Now, both eyes see the same clear picture. Thank you for your laser skills and your dedication to helping as many of the people bothered by floaters as possible. You have improved the quality of my life significantly as I spend a lot of time reading and it is once again a pleasure to do that without that opaque blockage in the middle of my field of vision. May 1, 2012

Hello Dr. Johnson

I wanted to report my immense satisfaction with the two-day treatment completed today. I would estimate you corrected 75% on my blockage the first day – a blockage which greatly affected my ability to read books without glasses or increasing the font size on the computer. Today’s treatment has removed 90% of what remained after day one. I think you could call this the 95-97% solution overall.
As I mentioned, before treatment when I looked a a bare incandescent light in an otherwise dark environment my right eye was clear but the left eye was closer to looking through a window coated with vaseline. Now, both eyes see the same clear picture.
Thank you for your laser skills and your dedication to helping as many of the people bothered by floaters as possible. You have improved the quality of my life significantly as I spend a lot of time reading and it is once again a pleasure to do that without that opaque blockage in the middle of my field of vision.

]]> Comment on Expectations of Laser Treatment by Cindy L Thomas http://vitreousfloatersolutions.com/expectations/#comment-5391 Cindy L Thomas Wed, 02 May 2012 02:16:33 +0000 http://vitreousfloatersolutions.com/wordpress/?page_id=206#comment-5391 Thank you for your quick response. One more question: How long you have been doing this procedure? <hr /><em>answer: as of May, 2012 I have been using the laser for floaters for about 4.5 years. Thank you for your quick response.

One more question: How long you have been doing this procedure?

answer: as of May, 2012 I have been using the laser for floaters for about 4.5 years.

]]> Comment on Expectations of Laser Treatment by Cindy L Thomas http://vitreousfloatersolutions.com/expectations/#comment-5383 Cindy L Thomas Tue, 01 May 2012 23:18:36 +0000 http://vitreousfloatersolutions.com/wordpress/?page_id=206#comment-5383 I'm 52 years old. I used to have a -9.5 to -10.0 prescription until I got LASIK in 2004. I've enjoyed good vision until last Saturday, 4/28. All of a sudden there was a cloudy gray web in the center of my right eye and another floater that looks like a bat flying right next to the center. I see bits of floaters along the right side and flashes there in the dark. I went to the eye doctor yesterday. He says my retina looks fine. He says I have posterior vitreous detachment. He says to wait 2-3 months to see how my body handles the floaters. If they are still affecting my vision then, I could get a surgery that pumps out the floaters with part of the fluid in the back of my eyeball, replaced with synthetic fluid. I think I'd prefer getting zapped with a laser. I'm telling you these floaters look like gnats flying around my right eye all the time. It wouldn't be so bad if they stayed put, but they keep zipping around whenever I move my eyes. I love to read, and it's just about impossible now. Do you agreed with waiting for a few months? And does it sound like I'd be a candidate for this procedure with my eye prescription and having had LASIK? <hr /><em>answer: Cindy, I have treated people with various degrees of myopia as well as with prior corneal refractive surgery such as LASIK or even lens surgery like cataract surgery. I am currently treating a gentleman with a -17 dpt myopia. These conditions present some optical and technical challenges, but they rarely will prevent a successful treatment assuming that the floaters are in a good position to treat to begin with. There really is no harm in waiting, and you can wait as long as you wish until you're convinced that it is not something that you will become accustomed to. The surgical vitrectomy procedure is an option although in reality I believe it is a theoretical option for most people. The doctors that perform that surgical procedure really take some convincing to be willing to do it on somebody with "just floaters". BTW the fluid they use to replace the vitreous is just a saline solution. Nothing exotic. I generally recommend waiting about one month after the onset of eye floaters and then I can usually treat anytime after that. I’m 52 years old. I used to have a -9.5 to -10.0 prescription until I got LASIK in 2004. I’ve enjoyed good vision until last Saturday, 4/28. All of a sudden there was a cloudy gray web in the center of my right eye and another floater that looks like a bat flying right next to the center. I see bits of floaters along the right side and flashes there in the dark. I went to the eye doctor yesterday. He says my retina looks fine. He says I have posterior vitreous detachment. He says to wait 2-3 months to see how my body handles the floaters. If they are still affecting my vision then, I could get a surgery that pumps out the floaters with part of the fluid in the back of my eyeball, replaced with synthetic fluid. I think I’d prefer getting zapped with a laser. I’m telling you these floaters look like gnats flying around my right eye all the time. It wouldn’t be so bad if they stayed put, but they keep zipping around whenever I move my eyes. I love to read, and it’s just about impossible now. Do you agreed with waiting for a few months? And does it sound like I’d be a candidate for this procedure with my eye prescription and having had LASIK?

answer: Cindy,
I have treated people with various degrees of myopia as well as with prior corneal refractive surgery such as LASIK or even lens surgery like cataract surgery. I am currently treating a gentleman with a -17 dpt myopia. These conditions present some optical and technical challenges, but they rarely will prevent a successful treatment assuming that the floaters are in a good position to treat to begin with. There really is no harm in waiting, and you can wait as long as you wish until you’re convinced that it is not something that you will become accustomed to. The surgical vitrectomy procedure is an option although in reality I believe it is a theoretical option for most people. The doctors that perform that surgical procedure really take some convincing to be willing to do it on somebody with “just floaters”. BTW the fluid they use to replace the vitreous is just a saline solution. Nothing exotic.
I generally recommend waiting about one month after the onset of eye floaters and then I can usually treat anytime after that.

]]> Comment on Age 45 and older by Bob O'Brien http://vitreousfloatersolutions.com/olderfloaters/#comment-5109 Bob O'Brien Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:58:02 +0000 http://vitreousfloatersolutions.wordpress.com/?page_id=56#comment-5109 I'm 54 years old and have had a large floater in my right eye since I was a child. Until just recently I've been told that there's nothing that can be done and I just have to live with it, which I've done for a very long time. Due to this, I have always read through my left eye (which is 20/20) while my right eye just wanders. Being right-handed, this floater makes it difficult to aim a rifle as well as a few other activities. It's not a ring-shaped floater but rather looks like a tight group of little strings or hairs, and it's right in the center of the vision area of my right eye. Can you give me information on where I can go to get this corrected, and whether my insurance covers the procedure(s)? <hr /><em>answer: Bob, There may be more to your eye history that may be important to know. Rarely are the eye floaters so bad that it would block or obscure your central vision enough to cause occlusion amblyopia and strabismus which what I think you have just described. This would be extraordinarily rare in a child unless there are some significant remnants of the hyaloid the did not regress and disappear before birth. I could not make a recommendation for treatment with me or anyone else until I had more information. You can send me a private email to: info(at)vitreousfloatersolutions.com . If you would like to send records, you can do so to my fax: 949.253.5769 and I'll be glad to take a look. - Dr. J I’m 54 years old and have had a large floater in my right eye since I was a child. Until just recently I’ve been told that there’s nothing that can be done and I just have to live with it, which I’ve done for a very long time. Due to this, I have always read through my left eye (which is 20/20) while my right eye just wanders. Being right-handed, this floater makes it difficult to aim a rifle as well as a few other activities.
It’s not a ring-shaped floater but rather looks like a tight group of little strings or hairs, and it’s right in the center of the vision area of my right eye.
Can you give me information on where I can go to get this corrected, and whether my insurance covers the procedure(s)?

answer: Bob, There may be more to your eye history that may be important to know. Rarely are the eye floaters so bad that it would block or obscure your central vision enough to cause occlusion amblyopia and strabismus which what I think you have just described. This would be extraordinarily rare in a child unless there are some significant remnants of the hyaloid the did not regress and disappear before birth. I could not make a recommendation for treatment with me or anyone else until I had more information. You can send me a private email to: info(at)vitreousfloatersolutions.com . If you would like to send records, you can do so to my fax: 949.253.5769 and I’ll be glad to take a look. – Dr. J

]]> Comment on Floaters after Vitrectomy by luis http://vitreousfloatersolutions.com/floaters-after-vitrectomy/#comment-5095 luis Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:01:03 +0000 http://vitreousfloatersolutions.com/?p=475#comment-5095 I have had floaters since i was 18yrs and now 20yrs and are getting really worse with time affecting my normal life..i am thinking of removing it surgically..pls i need your advice. <hr /><em>answer: I suggest you read the advice I have for younger patients here: http://vitreousfloatersolutions.com/floaters-in-young-patients/ Floaters in younger patients are usually very small and commonly close to the retina where they can not be safely treated with the laser. There are exceptions occasionally, but they are not very common. I have had floaters since i was 18yrs and now 20yrs and are getting really worse with time affecting my normal life..i am thinking of removing it surgically..pls i need your advice.

answer: I suggest you read the advice I have for younger patients here: http://vitreousfloatersolutions.com/floaters-in-young-patients/
Floaters in younger patients are usually very small and commonly close to the retina where they can not be safely treated with the laser. There are exceptions occasionally, but they are not very common.

]]> Comment on Expectations of Laser Treatment by Leslie Ray Easley http://vitreousfloatersolutions.com/expectations/#comment-5017 Leslie Ray Easley Tue, 24 Apr 2012 22:48:36 +0000 http://vitreousfloatersolutions.com/wordpress/?page_id=206#comment-5017 I recently saw what I thought was a cobweb or spider web attached to the right side of my right eyeylash. Then I used some celluvisic eye drops over night and the webb-like structure seems to be a "foater" resembling a fine web floating in the right side inside my eye. I am 73 years old and need to know if this spider-web type of floater is indicative of anything more serious than a nuisance. Do I need to see an eye doctor for an evaluation and is there a qualified doctor in the Tampa Bay area? I am a 100% Disabled American Veteran with PTSD-Psyneurotic Phobic Reaction and I need to know if the Veteran's Hospital in St Petersburg, Florida, where I go for other treatment for dental, orthopaedic, and neuropsychiatric meds, have a qualified eye dotor who can evaluate and treat these "webs" which do not block my vision and often just seem like something resembling a spide web outside that I automatically try to brush away sensing that it's exterior, but it's really not. <hr /><em>answer: although what you describe sure sounds like a simple floater, it is always good advice to get it checked out to make sure that it is not something more serious. There are just a few of us in the US treating floaters on a regular basis. None in the VA system. There is a doctor in Ft. Myers who is certainly closer to you. I have all the other floater treating doctors listed on my web site page: http://vitreousfloatersolutions.com/choosing-a-doctor/ I recently saw what I thought was a cobweb or spider web attached to the right side
of my right eyeylash. Then I used some celluvisic eye drops over night and the webb-like structure seems to be a “foater” resembling a fine web floating in the right side inside my eye. I am 73 years old and need to know if this spider-web type of floater is indicative of anything more serious than a nuisance. Do I need to see an eye
doctor for an evaluation and is there a qualified doctor in the Tampa Bay area?
I am a 100% Disabled American Veteran with PTSD-Psyneurotic Phobic Reaction and I
need to know if the Veteran’s Hospital in St Petersburg, Florida, where I go for other
treatment for dental, orthopaedic, and neuropsychiatric meds, have a qualified
eye dotor who can evaluate and treat these “webs” which do not block my vision and
often just seem like something resembling a spide web outside that I automatically
try to brush away sensing that it’s exterior, but it’s really not.

answer: although what you describe sure sounds like a simple floater, it is always good advice to get it checked out to make sure that it is not something more serious.
There are just a few of us in the US treating floaters on a regular basis. None in the VA system. There is a doctor in Ft. Myers who is certainly closer to you. I have all the other floater treating doctors listed on my web site page: http://vitreousfloatersolutions.com/choosing-a-doctor/

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