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If you notice eye floaters obstructing your vision, our practices in Staten Island and East Brunswick, New Jersey, can treat you using a revolutionary, painless, and non-invasive technique with a fast recovery time. Floaters and flashes, which the patient often perceives as a dark shadow with or without quick bursts of light flashes, can adversely affect your quality of vision and your quality of life. Many people experience floaters as moving spots or shadows drifting across their field of vision. It is common to feel worried when new floaters appear, as they can be sudden and concerning.
Until now, many who develop eye floaters have been told that they had no choice but to live with them, and patients were often advised to ignore eye floaters unless symptoms worsened. Treatment may be especially important for those who have many floaters that interfere with daily activities.
Gain a deeper understanding about the topics, conditions, and procedures discussed on this page by watching our informational videos.
Vitreous (or vitreous humor) is the jelly-like substance that fills the eye. The vitreous gel contains collagen fibers, which can clump together as part of the natural process of aging. It helps the eye maintain its shape and helps keep the retina in place. As we age, this jelly-like substance can begin to break up due to the normal aging process, particularly as the collagen fibers in the vitreous gel break down. Sometimes, this jelly can clump up and create a “floater.” These are known as vitreous floaters or vitreous opacities.
Floaters can often appear as cobweb-like shapes, especially during posterior vitreous detachment. Patients may notice floaters more when looking at a blue sky or a white wall, where the contrast makes them more visible. These can often appear suddenly and be very alarming to patients. Although this can be a harmless event (eye floaters are normal and often related to the natural aging process) and sometimes patients only experience temporary eye floaters, in some patients, sudden floaters or a large number of floaters may indicate a more serious issue, and you should seek care promptly. This can be a sign of a retinal tear or a retinal detachment, known as posterior vitreous detachment, which is a medical emergency.
Dr. Kung, a highly experienced retina eye specialist, can thoroughly examine the eye and retina with a dilated eye exam to determine if anything needs to be done urgently. Eye floaters are diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam. In some cases, the issue can be treated right in the office using sophisticated laser technology.
How are eye floaters treated? Dr. Kung provides advanced laser treatments that treat floaters, flashes, and vision problems and, if necessary, repair a torn retina. Dr. Kung can use an ultra-precise, FDA-approved ophthalmic laser to focus physical energy on floaters, obliterating them to a density that no longer obstructs your vision. Depending upon your needs, the treatment may only take about 10 minutes. Once the floater has been eliminated, it will not reappear. However, if some fragments obstruct your vision, they can be eliminated in a follow-up visit to the eye doctor. You can expect a full recovery within 24 hours of treatment. Laser treatment for floaters is not suitable for all patients. Surgical replacement of vitreous with a synthetic compound may be a better solution in some cases. Dr. Kung can help determine which treatment is best for you.
While some patients ask about eye drops for floaters, these are generally not effective for treating vitreous floaters. Changes in blood vessels due to high blood pressure or after cataract surgery can increase the risk of developing floaters. Regular eye exams are important for maintaining vision health.
If flashes of light accompany your floaters and a torn retina is determined to be the cause, Dr.Kung can use another advanced technique called photocoagulation. Using a laser, Dr. Kung can weld the retina back into place. Using thermal energy, Dr. Kung applies the laser to the retina to create tiny burns. These burns form scars that secure the retina in place. Recovery time varies from patient to patient but can take several months. During your consultation with Dr. Kung, he can provide you with the estimated recovery time in your specific case.
When it comes to your vision, taking floaters and flashes seriously is essential for protecting your eye health and preventing serious complications. While some floaters are a normal part of the natural aging process, a sudden onset of floaters, flashes of light, or other visual disturbances can signal a more serious condition, such as a retinal tear or retinal detachment. These issues can lead to permanent vision loss if not addressed promptly.
If you notice a sudden increase in floaters, new floaters, or experience flashes of light, blurred vision, or a gray curtain moving across your field of vision, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention. These symptoms may indicate retinal damage, vitreous detachment, or other serious complications that require urgent care from an eye doctor. A dilated eye exam performed by an eye specialist allows for a thorough evaluation of the vitreous humor—the gel-like substance inside your eye—and the retina, helping to diagnose the underlying cause and determine the best treatment options.
Certain risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetic retinopathy, eye trauma, or a family history of retinal problems, can increase your likelihood of developing floaters and flashes. Ignoring eye floaters or delaying an eye exam can result in missed opportunities for early intervention, increasing the risk of vision loss. Regular eye exams are crucial for monitoring changes in your vision and detecting conditions like vitreous detachment or retinal tears before they progress.
In the past, patients worldwide have had to accept that floaters permanently hinder their vision. However, revolutionary laser treatments are giving many patients suffering from this annoying condition a new lease on life; irritating floaters can be painlessly eliminated within minutes. If you are experiencing floaters with or without flashers, the Kung Eye Center doctors can thoroughly examine your needs and the best treatment approach. To learn more about our treatments, please contact us today.
Please call our New York office at (929) 429-2928 or our New Jersey office at (732) 724-2535 with any questions you may have.
STATEN ISLAND, NY EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ
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Dr. Kung’s mastery in ophthalmology means you will receive thoroughly informed recommendations for vision correction and maintenance, and that your treatment will be expertly performed for the best possible results.
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