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Floaters

Concerns with Lasik, PRK, LASEK, Epi-Lasik, etc.


Image of light clouds in a blue sky with floaters obscuring clarity.  
Floaters often appear as tiny 'worms' within aperson's vision,  
   

Floaters are small particles of the inner eye that float around in the clear liquids and gels within the eye. They are common among all people, but can be created or exacerbated by conventional or custom wavefront Lasik, Bladeless Lasik, and Epi-Lasik. Existing floaters can be disturbed by almost any eye surgery.

Increased Intraocular Pressure

During Lasik, Bladeless Lasik, and Epi-Lasik surgery, the pressure inside the eye is elevated when the microkeratome vacuum ring is attached. Extended elevated internal pressure can cause minor to major detachment of the vitreous or retina. Such detachment can cause floaters or other more serious problems. Although the duration of the elevated pressure during these procedures is short, it may be enough to induce floaters in those who are already predisposed to floaters.

Severe Myopia

People who are severely myopic (nearsighted, shortsighted) have a higher risk of retinal problems because the eye is elongated and the retina is often stretched over this larger than normal eye ball. For this reason, people with extreme myopia tend to be predisposed to floaters.

Changes in contrast sensitivity may cause existing floaters to become more noticeable. Changes in contrast sensitivity are not unusual with refractive surgery, but it is rare the change is significant enough to be problematic.

There is no cure for floaters, however the brain seems to become accustomed to them and will ignore minor floaters.

VitreoRetina Specialist

If you have a history of floaters or problems with the vitreous or retina, it may be wise to be evaluated by a retina specialist before having Lasik, Bladeless Lasik, or Epi-Lasik.

Although there is always the possibility of problems, PRK and LASEK do not require the high inner eye pressure of Lasik, Bladeless Lasik, and Epi-Lasik, therefore PRK or LASEK may be appropriate alternatives.

Looking For Best Lasik Surgeon?

If you are ready to choose a doctor to be evaluated for conventional or custom wavefront Lasik, Bladeless Lasik, PRK, or any refractive surgery procedure, we recommend you consider a doctor who has been evaluated and certified by the USAEyes nonprofit organization. Locate a USAEyes Evaluated & Certified Lasik Doctor.

Personalized Answers

If this article did not fully answer your questions, use our free Ask Lasik Expert patient forum.


Recent Floaters Medical Journal Articles...

Related Articles

Flashes and Floaters.

Prim Care. 2015 Sep;42(3):425-35

Authors: Sharma P, Sridhar J, Mehta S

Abstract
Flashes and floaters are common ocular complaints. Flashes refer to aberrations of light that are seen in a patient's field of gaze. The flashes can be of varying sizes, colors, frequency, and durations, depending on the cause. Floaters are another common visual phenomenon caused by particles or debris in the vitreous gel of the eye that cause shadows and thus visual changes, especially against bright backgrounds and in brightly lit environments. Flashes and floaters can occur individually or together. This article discusses common causes of flashes and floaters to help with the triaging and management of these patients.

PMID: 26319347 [PubMed - in process]

 


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