4 questions and answers to help you understand laser treatment for retinal floaters!

Vitreous degeneration - floaters

What is laser eye floaters?

Laser floaters are also called modern vitreous ablation. Nanosecond lasers can vaporize vitreous opacities and cut vitreous cords. The floaters are eliminated or decomposed into smaller pieces that no longer interfere with vision. Wu Jianhua, director of the fundus department at the Aier Eye Hospital affiliated to Wuhan University, said that each treatment takes about 20-60 minutes and some patients may need multiple treatments. Vitreous ablation is a safe and reliable outpatient treatment technology.

What tests should be done before laser treatment of eye floaters?

1. Fully dilate the pupil to facilitate observation of the retina and peripheral retina. Every extra millimeter of pupil dilation is meaningful.

2. Slit lamp and fundus examination

3. Fundus photography

4. Ophthalmic B-ultrasound to determine the number/location and range of turbidity and the distance of sediment from the retina/lens

5. Combine angiography and OCT if necessary to exclude fundus lesions

Is it troublesome to do laser treatment for eye floaters? How long does it take?

Laser treatment for floaters can be performed in an outpatient clinic. Before the treatment, the doctor needs to give you surface anesthesia to facilitate the placement of the laser lens on the eye. Laser treatment is painless.

During the treatment, you may observe small, dark shadows - these are the opacities vaporized into small bubbles. Each treatment takes about 10-30 minutes, and you may see small, dark spots after the operation. These are caused by small bubbles, which will be absorbed by the vitreous and dissipate quickly.

What if vitrectomy doesn't work?

Vitreous ablation is safe and effective for most people. Larger floaters may persist after multiple vitrectomy treatments and may require more laser treatments. Your eye doctor may also recommend surgery.

Things to note when doing laser treatment for floaters

Before treatment: Relax your body and mind and fully dilate your pupils.

After treatment: pay attention to rest, take medication on time, have follow-up examinations on time, and follow up if you feel unwell.