Types of Eye Floaters What if vitreolysis doesn`t work

Types
of Eye
Floaters
Types
of Eye
Floaters
Types
of
Eye
Floaters
of
Floaters
Eye floaters
are small
pieces
of debris
in the
EyeTypes
floaters
areEye
small
pieces
of debris
thatthat
floatfloat
in the
Eye
floaters
are small
pieces
of debris
that
float in
the
eye’s
vitreous
This
debris
casts
shadows
eye’s
vitreous
humor.
Thispieces
debris
shadows
Eye
floaters
are humor.
small
ofcasts
debris
that
floatonto
inonto
the
eye’s
vitreous
humor.
This debris
casts
shadows
onto
the
retina
(thehumor.
light-sensitive
tissue
at the
back
the eye’s
retina
(the
light-sensitive
layer
at
the
back
of of
vitreous
This tissue
debris
castslayer
shadows
onto
the
retina
(the
light-sensitive
tissue
layer
at
the
back
of
theretina
eye).
If have
you
have
eye floaters,
is these
shadows
the the
eye).
If you(the
eye floaters,
it is itthese
shadows
light-sensitive
tissue
layer
at
the
back of
the
eye).
If
you
have
eye
floaters,
it
is
these
shadows
that
youIf"floating"
see
of shadows
vision.
thatthe
you
see
youryour
field
of
vision.
eye).
you"floating"
have across
eye across
floaters,
it isfield
these
that you see "floating" across your field of vision.
that you see "floating" across your field of vision.
Fibrous
Strand
Floater:
Fibrous
Strand
Floater:
“Cobweb”
Floater
“Cobweb”
Floater
Fibrous
Strand
Floater:
Most
common
in
young
Fibrous
Strand
Floater:
Most
common
in young
“Cobweb” Floater
“Cobweb” Floater
Most
common
in dense
young
people,
this thin,
people,
this
thin,
dense
Most
common
in young
people,
thisappear
thin, dense
floater
can
as
floater
can this
appear
people,
thin,asdense
floater
can
appear
as
multiple
and/or
multiple
dots
and/or
floater
candots
appear
as
multiple dots
and/orand
string-like
multiple
dotscobwebs
and/or
string-like
cobwebs
and
string-like
cobwebs
and
is
a
result
of
clumping
string-like
cobwebs
is a result of clumping and
is
a
result
of
clumping
the
collagen
fibers
isofacollagen
result
offibers
clumping
of the
of of
of the
collagen
fibers of
the
vitreous.
Depending
the collagen
fibers of
the of
vitreous.
Depending
thesize,
vitreous.
Depending
on
and
where
the
vitreous.
Depending
on size, and where it is it is
onsize,
size,and
and
where
itisis
it may
be ittreatable
onlocated,
where
located,
it may be
treatable
located,
maybebetreatable
treatable
with
vitreolysis.
it itmay
withlocated,
vitreolysis.
with
vitreolysis.
with vitreolysis.
Diffuse Floater:
Diffuse
Floater:
“Cloud” Floater
Diffuse
Floater:floater
This
cloud-like
“Cloud”
Floater
Diffuse
Floater:
“Cloud” Floater
This cloud-like
floater
“Cloud” Floater
This
cloud-like
floater
is
caused
by
the
natural
This cloud-like
floater
is caused
by
thebynatural
iscaused
caused
the
natural
aging
process.
Whilst
is
by
the
natural
agingthis
process.
Whilst
aging
process.
Whilst
type
of floater
can
process.
Whilst
thisaging
type
of
floater
can
this
type
of
floater
canwith
sometimes
be
treated
this typebe
of treated
floater can
sometimes
with
sometimes
be
treated
with
vitreolysis,
it
often
requires
sometimes
be treated
with
vitreolysis,
it
often
requires
vitreolysis,
oftenrequires
requires
more
overall
treatment
in
vitreolysis,
it itoften
more
overall
treatment
in in
more
overall
treatment
order
to
obtain
satisfactory
more overall treatment in
order
to obtain
satisfactory
order
obtain
satisfactory
results.
order
totoobtain
satisfactory
results.
results.
results.
Weiss Ring Floater:
“Weiss Ring” Floater
Weiss
Ring
Floater:
Weiss
Ring
Floater:
The
ring-shaped
Weiss
Weiss
Ring
Floater:
“Weiss
Ring”
Floater
“Weiss
Ring”
Floater
The ring-shaped
Weiss
“Weiss
Ring”
Floater
The
ring-shaped
Weiss
Ring
floater
is
a
large,
The ring-shaped Weiss
Ring fibrous
floater
is
a large,
Ring
floater
alarge,
large,
floater
is
Ring
floater
isisa that
fibrous
floater
that
is
fibrous
floater
that
usually
located
safely
fibrous floater that isis away
usually
located
safely
away
usually
located
safely
away
from
the
crystalline
lens
usually
located
safely
away
fromfrom
the the
crystalline
lenslens
from
thecrystalline
crystalline
lens
and
the
retina.
Because
andand
the
retina.
Because
and
the
retina.
Because
of
this,
it
can
be
treated
the retina. Because
of this,
itthis,
can
be
treated
ofthis,
itcan
can
treated
effectively
with
ofsafely
itand
bebetreated
safely
andeffectively
effectively
with
vitreolysis.
safely
andand
effectively
withwith
safely
vitreolysis.
vitreolysis.
vitreolysis.
Cloud-like Floater
Cloud-like Floater
Cloud-like Floater
Cloud-like Floater
Weiss
Vitreous
Floater
Floater
Duet
Weiss
Vitreous
Floater
Floater
Duet
Weiss
Vitreous
Floater
Floater
Duet
Weiss
Vitreous
Floater
Floater
Duet
What
if vitreolysisdoesn’t
doesn’twork
work
What
if vitreolysis
What
if
vitreolysis
doesn’t
work
What
if vitreolysis doesn’t work
for
me?
for
me?
forme?
me?
for
Clinical
studies
have
shown
vitreolysis
Clinical
studies
have
shown
vitreolysis
Clinical
studies
havetreatment
shown
vitreolysis
to
be
astudies
safe,
effective
treatment
the
toClinical
be
a safe,
effective
in in
the
have shown
vitreolysis
to
be
a
safe,
effective
treatment
in the
majority
of
patients.
If
floaters
persist,
majority
of
patients.
If
floaters
persist,
to be a safe, effective treatment in the
majority
of patients.
If floatersmay
persist,
however,
ophthalmologist
may
however,
your
ophthalmologist
majority
of your
patients.
If floaters persist,
however,
your
ophthalmologist
may
recommend
surgery.
recommend
surgery.
however,
your
ophthalmologist may
recommend surgery.
recommend surgery.
Depending
your
diagnosis,
there
Depending onon
your
diagnosis,
there
Depending
on your
diagnosis,
there
are
several
forms
of
surgery
available.
are
several forms
of surgery
available.
Depending
on your
diagnosis,
there
are
several
forms
of
surgery
available.
Performed
in the
room,
surgery
are
severalinforms
ofoperating
surgery
available.
Performed
the
operating
room,
surgery
Performed
in the of
operating
room,
surgery
involves
removal
all
or
part
of
the
Performed
in theofoperating
involves
removal
all or partroom,
of thesurgery
involves humor,
removalwhich
of all is
orthen
part replaced
of the with
vitreous
involves
removal
of allisorthen
partreplaced
of the with
vitreous
humor,
which
vitreous
humor,
which
is
then
replaced
with
a balanced,
electrolyte
solution.
humor,
which saltwater
is saltwater
then replaced
with
a vitreous
balanced,
electrolyte
solution.
a balanced,
electrolyte
saltwater
solution.
carries
a significant
risksolution.
a Surgery
balanced,
electrolyte
saltwater
Surgery
carries
a significant
risk
of of
Surgery
carries
a
significant
risk
of
bleeding
and infection
and risk
can of
also result
Surgery
carries
a significant
bleeding
and
infection
and can
also result
bleeding
and
infectionOn
and
can alsoit result
in
cataract
formation.
average,
takes
infectionOn
and
can also
result
inbleeding
cataractand
formation.
average,
it takes
in
cataract
formation.
On
average,
it
takes
hours to perform.On average, it takes
in1-2
cataract
1-2
hours toformation.
perform.
1-2 hours to perform.
1-2 hours to perform.
For further information please contact:
Mediconsult AG, Frohheimstr. 2, 9325 Roggwil
Tel. 071 454 70 20 info@mediconsult.ch
This pamphlet has been prepared based on currently available information
and is not intended to recommend a particular procedure. Please consult
This pamphlet
has been
prepared
based
on currently
available
information
This pamphlet
has been
prepared
based
on currently
available
information
your
ophthalmologist
determine
whether
vitreolysis
is a suitable
option
This
pamphlet
has beentoprepared
based
on currently
available
information
and is
notisintended
to recommend
a particular
procedure.
Please
consult
and
not intended
to recommend
a particular
procedure.
Please
consult
forisyou.
and
not intended to recommend a particular procedure. Please consult
your ophthalmologist
to determine
whether
vitreolysis
a suitable
option
your ophthalmologist
to determine
whether
vitreolysis
is a is
suitable
option
your ophthalmologist to determine whether vitreolysis is a suitable option
for2013.
you. Ellex Medical Pty. Ltd. E&OE. VB0001A
for you.
for©you.
© 2013.
Medical
Pty. Ltd.
E&OE.
VB0001A
© 2013.
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© 2013. Ellex Medical Pty. Ltd. E&OE. VB0001A
What is vitreolysis?
Also known as floater laser treatment, vitreolysis is a
non-invasive, pain-free procedure that can eliminate
the visual disturbance caused by floaters. The goal of
vitreolysis is to achieve a “functional improvement”.
That is, to allow you to return to “normal” day-to-day
activities without the hindrance of floaters.
How does vitreolysis work?
Vitreolysis involves the application of nanosecond
pulses of laser light to evaporate the vitreous opacities
and to sever the vitreous strands. During this process,
the floater's collagen and hyaluronin molecules are
converted into a gas. The end result is that the floater
is removed and/or reduced to a size that no longer
impedes vision.
What happens during the procedure?
Vitreolysis is performed as an outpatient procedure;
you do not have to stay overnight in a hospital.
Immediately prior to treatment, your ophthalmologist
will administer eye drops to provide mild anesthesia.
A contact lens will then be placed on your eye, with
the laser light delivered through a specially designed
microscope.
During treatment, you will likely observe small, dark
specks/shadows – signaling that the floaters are being
evaporated into small gas bubbles. These gas bubbles
quickly dissolve and resorb into the vitreous.
Once the treatment is complete, your ophthalmologist
may treat your eyes with anti-inflammatory drops.
Each treatment session typically takes 20-60 minutes
to perform and most patients will need to undergo
two treatment sessions, sometimes three, in order to
achieve a satisfactory result.
Complications and side effects
Reported side effects and complications associated
with vitreolysis are rare. Side effects may include
cataract and intraocular pressure (IOP) spike.
Who will benefit from vitreolysis?
It is necessary to undergo an ophthalmic examination
to determine your eligibility for vitreolysis treatment.
•
Age. In most cases, younger patients (<45) suffer
from microscopic floaters located close to the
retina (1-2 mm) and are not considered to be good
candidates for vitreolysis treatment.
•
OnsetofSymptoms: If your floater symptoms
develop very quickly then they may be associated
with PVD, which can be treated with vitreolysis.
•
FloaterCharacteristics. Large floaters with a
soft border, situated away from the retina, are
ideally suited to treatment with vitreolysis.
What can I expect after treatment?
You may observe small, dark specks in your lower
field of vision immediately following treatment, but
these small gas bubbles will quickly dissolve. It is also
important to note that some patients may experience
mild discomfort, redness or temporarily blurred vision
directly following treatment.
What is Degenerative Vitreous Syndrome?
The vitreous humor is the clear, jelly-like substance in the main chamber of the eye, located between the lens and
the retina.
At a young age, the vitreous is perfectly transparent. Over time as the eye ages, this vitreous humor can degenerate,
losing its form and liquefying. Without the stable vitreous humor, the collagen fibers collapse and bind together to
form clumps and knots. It is these fibers, which cast shadows on the retina and appear as spots, strings, or cobwebs
that are commonly referred to as “eye floaters.”
In many cases as the eye ages further, the vitreous humor can peel away from the retina entirely. This is known as
Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD). PVD is often associated with a sudden increase in the number of floaters.
Vision with Floaters