“Eye floater?”
I had laser eye surgery for a torn retina this past Monday. I went because I started experiencing sudden floaters in my eye. I have a floater that has been directly in my vision since Monday and is causing blurry vision in my eye. I have a follow-up visit tomorrow, but I am scared and worried this floater won't go away. It has been the same for just about a week now. It affects everything I do, from reading to driving.
Male | 61 years old
Complaint duration: 6 days
Medications: proxitine 10 mg
Conditions: none
12 Answers
Jason Randall Smith
Optometrist
Eye floaters are common especially as we age. The warning sign for your retinal tear may have been the onset of a new floater(s). The fact that you still have floaters may be something that may last for some time. The floaters can sometimes "settle" out of your line of vision, but again this may take the time or may not occur. Any signs of any new floaters, flashes of light, "clouds" or "curtains" coming over your vision, side vision/visual field losses, or any pain should be discussed ASAP with your eye doctor.
It's a good thing that you have a follow-up visit, especially with the history of a retinal tear, to ensure there were no additional tears or detachments (I would definitely have someone take a look at it though first). And as long as there are no new holes or tears or detachments, the floaters is normal and it can be present for weeks to months to years (that is also normal and usually after a certain amount of time your brain will adjust and start ignoring the floater, and it won't be as bothersome). If you are still having trouble with the floater after a month or so, discuss it with your eye doctor and there can be a laser treatment done (yag vitreolysis) to break down the floater and improve your vision if needed. Otherwise, the floater can be monitored if it's not bothering you too much.
Floaters are typically semi-permanent annoyances. The eye is filled with the vitreous gel the gives it shape and acts as shock absorber. Floaters are protein clumps and debris in the vitreous casting shadows on the retina. They can dissipate somewhat over time or settle down with gravity, but usually they are there to stay. If it is affecting your visual acuity enough there are surgical treatments, but they are typically not worth the risk of surgical complications and the surgeon will refuse.
It is great that you have a follow-up visit so that the surgeon can evaluate the progress of your eye. Floaters generally do not go away but the eye will get used to the floater. The surgeon will let you know if the eye is healing properly or if more damage is occurring from the tear. It is possible to have another tear or retinal detachment so make sure that you go to that follow-up visit.
Floaters typically settle and become less noticeable over time. Due to your recent injury and repair surgery, I would discuss this concern with the retina specialist who is following your case to get a more specific answer.
Get your eyes dilated. If you need PPV, a retina specialist will do it.
Floaters after a complex retinal surgery are normal. It’s bad luck that yours is located in such a critical area. It’s possible your surgeon may be able to break the floater down into smaller less obstructive pieces. As time passes, we generally notice floaters less and less.
I hope this helps you!
Dr. John Lowitz, OD
I hope this helps you!
Dr. John Lowitz, OD
Bring the floater up when you have your appointment tomorrow. Very rarely do floaters stay long term directly in front of your central vision. You might have what is called a posterior vitreous detachment, which is common and the floater you are seeing is a clump of the membrane that surrounds the vitreous gel. These typically get much better and move over towards your natural blind spot with time. At the 6-month mark, if you are still impaired by the floater, you can discuss what is called a vitrectomy with your surgeon/retinal specialist.
Ask your retina doctor
I understand your concern. 6 days is very short on healing time. Sometimes the floaters are permanently there, but often over a month or two they do go away or at least diminish.
Hello,
Floaters are a normal side effect of eye surgery. Literature shows that most floaters will eventually settle to the bottom of the eye due to gravity over time. If you are experiencing visual obstruction from the floater, you should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you are cleared by your physician at the follow-up appointment.
I hope this helps and you recover soon!
Dr. Ronicha Azard Lin
Floaters are a normal side effect of eye surgery. Literature shows that most floaters will eventually settle to the bottom of the eye due to gravity over time. If you are experiencing visual obstruction from the floater, you should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you are cleared by your physician at the follow-up appointment.
I hope this helps and you recover soon!
Dr. Ronicha Azard Lin
Hello,
Floaters are a normal side effect of eye surgery. Literature shows that most floaters will eventually settle to the bottom of the eye due to gravity over time. If you are experiencing visual obstruction from the floater, you should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you are cleared by your physician at the follow-up appointment.
I hope this helps and you recover soon!
Floaters are a normal side effect of eye surgery. Literature shows that most floaters will eventually settle to the bottom of the eye due to gravity over time. If you are experiencing visual obstruction from the floater, you should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you are cleared by your physician at the follow-up appointment.
I hope this helps and you recover soon!
