Laser Floater Treatment (LFT) for Visual Clarity

Key Highlights

• Eye floaters are a common problem, especially as they age. They can lower the quality of life.
• Laser vitreolysis is a way to treat floaters. It is a less invasive way to deal with the problem.
• A laser is used during this treatment to vaporize floaters.
• This treatment can help those who have floaters that affect their activities of daily living.
• While laser vitreolysis is mostly safe, there are some risks associated with it.
• Talking to an ophthalmologist is key. They can help you see if this treatment is a good option for you.

Introduction

Are you troubled by floaters in your sight that affect your daily routine? These tiny, dark spots or lines can make seeing clearly difficult and lower your quality of life. This webpage explains laser vitreolysis. It is a treatment that may help with your vision problems and improve your visual experience.

Understanding Eye Floaters and Their Impact

Eye floaters, also called vitreous floaters or vitreous opacities, are small clumps of cells or protein. They form in the vitreous, the clear, gel-like stuff inside the back of the eye. As we get older, the vitreous undergoes a process called syneresis. This is when the vitreous gel turns into a liquid. This change allow protein fibers to stick together. When light enters the eye and hits these protein fibers, they create shadows on the retina. Those shadows are what we experience as floaters.

Most floaters are not dangerous, but they can be annoying and distracting. You might notice floaters as spots, lines, or shapes. They can even look like cobwebs. They are easier to spot on bright backgrounds, such as a clear sky, white walls, or a white computer screen.

How Floaters Affect Vision and Daily Activities

Vitreous floaters can change how people see and live each day. The way symptomatic floaters affect someone varies with their size, shape, and where they are in the eye. For some, they are just a small annoyance. In fact, some people have floaters, but never notice them. For others, the symptoms of floaters can greatly harm their quality of life. Floaters can affect multiple activities, including reading, driving, or doing other tasks that need clear sight.

Floaters can interfere with your central view. This can make it hard for smartphone users to see clearly. It can be difficult to focus on things. Simple activities like reading, driving, and watching TV can feel challenging. At times, floaters may create a shadow or a film over what you want to see. This can really affect your visual acuity. Instead of having 20/20 vision, it could drop to 20/25, 20/30, or even worse!

Having annoying floaters for a long time can cause emotional issues. We have seen people develop anxiety from their floaters. Some patients have even told us that their generalized anxiety resolved and greatly improved after lasering their floaters.

The Prevalence of Eye Floaters in San Antonio, TX

Eye floaters are a common issue that many people notice. They can happen to anyone. We have seen young people bothered by floaters and middle-aged people bothered by floaters. However, most of the people who are bothered by floaters are older. In San Antonio, and the United States in general, floaters affect 7 out of 10 people. A little over 30% of people report that they affect their lives in a significant way. 

Many things can cause floaters. The most common cause is getting older, and there isn’t much that we can do about that. Others develop them due to being near-sighted (myopia), having eye surgery, suffering from injuries to the eye, or having certain health issues like sickle-cell retinopathy. As people in San Antonio and across the country get older, more of them will notice floaters and want to look for a way to get rid of them.

Thanks to the latest advances in technology, there is one useful way to treat eye floaters. At the San Antonio Eye and Face Institute, we have a special laser that can perform laser vitreolysis. It’s called the Selecta® Duet™ with SmartV. There is also the “old school” way of treating floaters, which is performed through pars plana vitrectomy, a more invasive option done by a retinal specialist. Due to the risk of this surgery, it is rarely recommended. However, there are some cases that we attempt to use the laser, and it simply doesn’t work. For those individuals, vitrectomy is the next best option.

The Basics of Laser Floater Treatment

Laser floater treatment, also known as laser vitreolysis, is a non-surgical, in-office way to tackle your annoying floaters, resulting in high patient satisfaction. Another benefit is that you don’t have to go to a hospital or surgery center. A special laser light is used to target and vaporize the tiny opacities and fibers that cause the visual issues. No procedure is without potential side effects. Side effects can include mild discomfort or light sensitivity. On the serious side, you could develop a vitreous hemorrhage, retina hole, retinal tear, or even a retinal detachment. But, unlike regular surgery, this treatment does not require any cuts or stitches and comes with a lower risk of complications.

During the treatment, your ophthalmologist will use a laser attached to a slit lamp microscope. The laser vaporizes the collagen fibers in the gel of your eye. This removes them so they no longer block your vision or cause shadows on the retina. As a result, you will be able to see more clearly. The floater treatment with the laser is generally safe, and most people feel more comfortable with it than with vitrectomy surgery.

The sad reality is that not all floaters can be treated this way. A full ophthalmic exam is needed to determine if you floaters are good candidates for LFT. This exam will determine if your floaters are a good candidate for treatment and if the location of the floaters doesn’t put the retina or optic nerve at risk being hit by the laser. 

Advancements in Laser Technology for Floater Removal

Advancements in laser technology have made it safer to zap floaters in the eye. The first report of YAG laser vitreolysis for the treatment of vitreous floaters came out in 1993. Today, there are modern YAG lasers designed specifically to safely treat floaters. These YAG lasers offer improved precision and control. This protects other parts of the eye from harm. By changing the laser settings, like the pulse duration and energy level, treatments can now be more exact.

One big change is that the new lasers have shorter pulse times. These lasers release energy in fast bursts. This helps keep heat levels very low in the eye. It lessens the risk of harm to other intraocular structures. Many of these new lasers also come with advanced imaging systems. Finally, the lenses used to visualize the floaters have evolved and become more precision-oriented. This allows your ophthalmologist to see your floaters more clearly, which makes the procedure more accurate.

Thanks to improved laser technology, floater removal is now safer and more effective. Patients can expect to heal faster, feel less pain, and see better than with older surgery methods.

Comparing Laser Floater Treatment to Traditional Methods

LFT is a viable option when compared to traditional methods like vitrectomy surgery. This is especially true for younger patients. Vitrectomy surgery removes the gel of vitreous body from the eye and replaces it with a saline solution. While this method can help, it also comes with risks because it is an invasive procedure. These risks are much like those of cataract surgery. They can include problems such as infection, bleeding, and issues with the retina.

LFT for floaters is a relatively safe option. It does not involve any cuts or stitches, making it non-invasive. This helps lower the chance of infection and bleeding. The laser focuses on the floaters directly. It does not harm the nearby vitreous gel. This also lowers the risk of retinal problems.

LFT helps people recover faster. They feel less pain and can get back to their daily activities quicker than with vitrectomy. This non-invasive procedure also takes less time and needs less aftercare.

Candidacy for Laser Floater Treatment

Not everyone with floaters are great candidates for treatment. Choosing this treatment depends on several things. You should consider how serious the floaters are, how they affect your vision, your eye health, and what your own needs are.

To find out if you’r a good candidate for treatment, a full ophthalmic exam is very important. Your ophthalmologist will look at the size, shape, and position of the floaters in your eyes. They will also check how these floaters impact your vision. They will review your medical history, eye health, and any past eye surgeries or conditions.

Evaluating Your Suitability for Laser Treatment

Deciding to get LFT for your floaters needs a complete check-up from a qualified ophthalmologist. During an eye exam, your doctor will closely examine your eyes. They will look at several factors to decide if laser treatment is safe and the right choice for you.

Some important factors that affect this decision are the location and type of your floaters. The size and density of floaters are important too, as well as your overall eye health. Doctors usually recommend waiting at least six months when your floaters are stable before thinking about LFT. This waiting time helps any swelling or retinal issues from posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) to heal.

Your ophthalmologist will talk about your medical history. This covers any eye problems you had before, any surgeries you’ve undergone, and the medicines you take now. By looking closely at your situation, your doctor will figure out if LFT is the right choice for you. This step makes sure the treatment is safe and effective.

In summary, the following individuals should not have LFT:

• Unrealistic Expectations or Mental Instability
• Seeing Flashes of Light with your Floaters
• Ocular Inflammatory Conditions
• Asteroid Hyalosis, a condition that causes thousands of floaters to form
• Untreated Retinal Tears, Holes or Hemorrhages
• Floaters that are too numerous, too large, or too close to the back wall of the eye to treat safely
• Patients with Multifocal or Extended Depth of Focus Intraocular Lenses

Factors Influencing Treatment Success 

The success rate of LFT at San Antonio Eye and Face Institute can vary depending on your particular situation. Many people find that LFT can improve their vision. By knowing what affects success rates, you can have realistic expectations for your treatment.

Age and eye health are very important. The type of floaters, including their size, thickness, and where they are situated, can play a large role in your ultimate outcome. If you have smaller floaters that are farther from the retina, your results will usually be better. People who take care of their eyes and do not have serious eye issues often see good results as well.

Lifestyle choices can also make a difference. If you spend a lot of time on screens or live in dry areas like San Antonio, it can alter how well your treatment works. It’s a good idea to talk with your ophthalmologist about your particular exam findings. Knowing this can help you understand how good of a change you have at successfully reducing or eliminating your floaters. 

Pre-Treatment Assessment: What to Expect

Before you get LFT, you must have a complete pre-treatment assessment. This ensures that you can safely have the treatment and helps reduce your risk of complications. Your ophthalmologist, Dr. Relief Jones, will perform a detailed eye exam. He will also review your medical history to check your eye’s health and spot any issues that could affect the procedure.

During this checkup, Dr. Jones will check your intraocular pressure. This pressure can change due to inflammatory cells that may cause obstruction of the trabecular meshwork. These cells can block the trabecular meshwork after the procedure. Intraocular pressure is the fluid pressure inside your eye. It is very important because high pressure can cause problems after laser treatment. Dr. Jones will also check your retina. The retina is at the back of your eye and responds to light. He will check for any pre-existing tears or detachments.

At the end of your assessment, Dr. Jones will explain his findings with you. At this point, he will let you know if you can get floater treatment with laser. You can also ask questions. Your doctor will consider your thoughts when planning your treatment. Again, not all individuals will be a good candidate for this procedure. 

The Laser Floater Treatment Procedure

LFT takes place in the laser room at the San Antonio Eye and Face Institute. Before the treatment starts, the doctor’s technician will check you pressures and will instill eye drops to open your pupils. This allows your doctor to see clearly into the back of your eye. Numbing drops will be placed right before the procedure to keep you comfortable.

During the procedure, you will sit in a chair and your chin will rest on the chin rest of the laser’s slit lamp. A special contact lens will be placed on your eye to keep your lids open and to focus the laser beam on the floaters. Dr. Jones will then use the aiming beam of the laser to target the floaters in your eye. You may see small flashes of light as the laser works to vaporize the floaters.

Step-by-Step Guide to the Laser Vitreolysis Procedure

Here’s a simple guide about what occurs during the laser vitreolysis procedure:

• You will initially be seen by one of Dr. Jones’ technicians for preparation. 
• Your eye pressure will be measured.
• Eye drops to enlarge your pupils will be placed in your eye.
• After pupil dilation, Dr. Jones will speak with you about the procedure. 
• You will be brought to the laser room.
• Laser Application: Dr. Jones will use a YAG laser with SmartV technology and a special vitreous lens to locate your floaters. The laser will be used to treat your floaters. It sends short and powerful flashes of light. These bursts vaporize the floaters turning the solid floater to gas bubbles.
• Duration of Procedure: The procedure can take 15-45 minutes
• Monitoring: After the procedure, you will return to the exam room for a short period of time. Your eye pressure will be checked, and you will be prescribed eye drops to use after the procedure for 1 week.

What Patients Can Expect After Treatment

After the procedure, you might notice some mild side effects. These can include blurry vision, light sensitivity, or having a scratchy feeling or foreign body sensation in your eyes. In most cases, these side effects last a few hours to a few days. You can wear sunglasses when in bright light to keep your eyes comfortable. It also very important to use your anti-inflammatory drops as prescribed after the procedure. This will help your eye feel better and give you the best chance of success.

Post-Treatment Care and Monitoring

After your laser floater removal treatment, it is important to use your eye drops as prescribed. The doctor will send the prescription to your pharmacy of choice electronically. By the time your treatment has been completed, you can usually go directly to your pharmacy to pick up the drops. These drops reduces inflammation in the eye. It is also a good idea to avoid rubbing your eyes, swimming in pools or hot tubs, and using eye makeup for 1 week. 

You will be given a dilated follow-up exam with Dr. Jones after your LFT. This visits is important to check if your symptoms have improved and to make sure you do not have any other complications. The technician will check your vision, pupil, and eye pressure. You will then be dilated so that your vitreous and retina can be examined. If you have any questions or feel anxious, Dr. Jones and his team are there to help you. 

Each case of laser floater treatment is unique and outcomes can vary. Some patient’s experience side effects like blurry vision, seeing spots from gas bubbles, or being sensitive to light after the procedure. These side effects typically fade away in a few days. If you experience unusual symptoms like pain in your eye, worsening vision, or seeing flashing lights, an extreme number of spots, or a curtain shade effect moving into your vision from any direction, you should call your ophthalmologist immediately. 

Benefits and Risks of Laser Floater Treatment

Laser floater treatment has a good safety profile and it can be a potentially effective treatment. There are some risks and benefits you should consider before signing up for the procedure.

The benefits of this procedure are clear. It can help make your symptoms less noticeable. This leads to better vision and an improved quality of life. The procedure is non-invasive, which means it has fewer risks than traditional vitrectomy surgery. Typically, the recovery time is short. 

However, like any procedure, there are some risks involved. These risks can include inflammation in the eye, increased eye pressure, and in rare cases, problems with the retina or blood vessels in the retina that could lead to worsening vision or loss of vision.

Highlighting the Key Benefits for Patients

LFT treatment has many advantages for people who want to experience less symptoms. It helps you see more clearly. It can make reading, driving, and looking at screens more comfortable.

Overall, LFT treatment can make a significant difference in a person’s quality of life. This could have a positive affect on your mood and how well you do your daily activities. By treating and reducing your floaters, you could feel more in control of your vision and simply enjoy life more.

Understanding Potential Complications and Risks

Laser floater treatment is usually safe and effective. Still, we need to lay out the possible risks and complications. As with any medical procedure, there is a small chance of side effects or complications. Most side effects are temporary and resolve with use of eye drops and time. 

Here are some potential complications:

• Increased Eye Pressure: After laser treatment, your eye pressure may go up for a short time. It usually goes back to normal by itself or with medication.
• Inflammation: There is a small risk of inflammation due to laser energy after the eye treatment. You will be prescribed eye drops to minimize this issue.
• Cataract Formation: In rare cases, laser treatment might cause pre-existing cataracts to form faster from shockwave damage.
• Retinal Tear or Retinal Detachment: This is a rare but serious issue. If you notice sudden loss of vision, see flashes of light, lots of new floaters, or feel like a curtain is blocking your view from any direction, please seek medical attention right away.

New laser technology and improved treatment methods have made treatment safer, despite some risks. If you pick a skilled ophthalmologist like Dr. Jones and follow his instructions before and after treatment, you can greatly reduce the chances of complications.

Real Patient Outcomes and Success Stories in San Antonio, Texas

Below you will find short summaries of real stories from patients in San Antonio, Texas. You’ll notice how laser floater treatment has positively changed their lives. Obviously, results can vary due to factors such as the type, size, and location of floaters, the eye’s pre-existing health, and how well a person heals. Many patients feel they have improved vision and a better quality of life after the treatment.

Success stories like these show how laser floater treatment can change lives. This treatment helps with vision problems and can improve your quality of life. A complete evaluation can help determine if you’re a good candidate for the procedure. During this evaluation, your doctor will explain the benefits and risks, and help you set realistic expectations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, laser floater treatment is an old way to treat floaters, but uses new and improved laser technology. It can help reduce, or in some cases, eliminate eye floaters. The San Antonio Eye and Face Institute has this new, advanced laser technology. It is important to know who’s a good candidate for this treatment and the risks that might be involved. With proper care after the treatment, patients can enjoy better vision and a higher quality of life. If you are thinking about undergoing laser floater treatment in San Antonio, contact us for an in-depth evaluation. Your path to clearer vision begins with good choices and expert support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the success rate of Laser Floater Treatment in San Antonio?

Clinical studies show that laser floater treatment can be very effective. The success rate is often over 80%, which makes many patients feel satisfied with the results. Although results can differ for each person, this minimally invasive procedure helps many people who want to reduce or remove frustrating floaters. The safety profile of this treatment is very good.

Are there any age restrictions for undergoing laser floater treatment?

Because floaters typically develop in older patients, LFT is considered safe for adult patients. However, age alone does not decide if a person can receive the treatment. A complete eye exam will determine if you are a good match for the treatment. 

How long does the recovery process take after laser floater treatment?

The healing time after LFT is fairly quick. You may notice less hindered vision in just a few days or up to a week. It’s important to stick to the care instructions from your ophthalmologist. Following these will help you heal well and get the best results over time.

Can floaters reoccur after undergoing laser treatment?

Laser treatment can help with the floaters you have right now. Unfortunately, this does not stop new floaters from forming as you get older. In addition, posterior vitreous detachment is a normal aging process that could lead to new floaters. If you haven’t had a posterior vitreous detachment yet, having one could create new floaters. 

How does LFT compare with vitrectomy in terms of safety and efficacy?

LFT is a safer choice as compared to vitrectomy. This is due to it being a non-invasive procedure. Both treatments can help with floaters, however, how well they work can vary from person to person. 

Is laser floater treatment covered by insurance? 

Laser Floater Treatment is considered an elective, out-of-pocket expense. It is not covered by insurance. The cost is $1500 per eye, which includes the initial treatment and one touch-up treatment (if needed).

What if I still have floaters after 2 treatments?

It is possible that you will still notice some floaters even after two treatments. Some floaters may be too small to identify on exam or they could be too far in the periphery to be treated by the laser. In these cases, some floaters may persist. If you are still hindered by your floaters, you may be referred to a retina specialist to consider removal of the vitreous body with surgical vitrectomy. This procedure is typically more definitive as it removes the entire vitreous body which contains all of the floaters in your eye. In these rare cases, insurance will typically cover surgical vitrectomy as a medical necessity. This is typically performed in an operating room.