Challenge to eye doctors

[Jdawg1099]

Why is it we will cut into the eye to correct vision when a persons eyes are healthy and they can obtain contacts and eyeglasses, but when a person has tons of floaters it's something they have to live with?

It's easily pawned off as "part of life".  I'm sure when someone has one or two, even in each eye, it's livable.  But, even if someone's vision is not totally blocked by floaters, they are difficult to live with when each eye contains a swarm of them.  To tell someone to live with it is a life sentence in most cases.  Yet, the idea of treating a patient with lots of them is considered surgery to a healthy eye?  What is an unhealthy eye then?  I was under the impression the purpose of an eye was to provide vision.  If something is blocking that vision, is that not a problem?  I've read the risks to the eye for vitrectomy is 5%, and far less in the case of an FOV that does not require sutures.  I don't understand why we will go to incredible lengths to correct vision (a worthy cause, don't get me wrong), but blocked vision from floaters is irrelevant.

I appreciate doctors do what I cannot.  I am not educated on this matter either, nor do I want to imply I know anything they don't.  So, I'm sure there's a response to everything I've said as to all the "why we can'ts".  But, I don't understand why we don't even try.  The indifferent and uninterested response I've gotten from every eye doctor I've ever seen, and all the comments I've read on other web sites, leads me to believe there is no interest in finding a solution to floaters.

Te only thing floater sufferers (the one's with many of them) get used to is the idea they have no hope for relief from their ailment.  It's defeat that they become accustomed to, not the floaters.

I would implore the doctors to find a solution for us.  I appreciate there are diseases, and blindness and other major issues that need addressed.  But,  please do not patronize our condition, and please do not accept "that's life".

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Thank you for your comments.  It may be sometimes that the treatment can sometimes be worse than the disease and no one wants to hurt you unneccessarily.  We do live in a litigious society.  There are a few eye surgeons that perform laser treatment for floaters but it is not standard of care and therefore not supported by most medical societies.  It just has not be proven effective in large pear review research as of yet - but could be someday so don't lose hope.  What I usually tell patients is that we are usually reluctant to treat a problem with major invasive surgery with inherant risks when the problem often improves on its own over time.  Kind of like having brain surgery for a headache.  I feel your pain, understand your frustration, but I suppose no one wants to be the one that did the surgery and saw you get worse and then have stand in a deposition before your attorney and the state medical board.  As always, don't hestitate to get a second and third opinon - if you keep getting the same advise, it may be good advice.

Michael Kutryb, MD

[Jdawg1099]

That was probably the best response I've ever gotten on floaters.

I've lived with my newest floaters for several months now, while I've had others for years.  I did the proper thing and had my eyes checked when they started to multiply.  I've been told over and over it's a part of life.  I have dozens of dots and strands in each eye.  If anything, they seem to continue to increase in number.  But, I've been told I have no other eye problems that need attention.  I'm in my lower 30's.

Some of my veteran floaters (the couple I had before the increase) move around but never seem to leave my vision.  I was fine with those and became used to them.  The hoard of floaters I now have will litterally roll off the sides of my eyes and twirl about as I look around, like a snow globe as I've heard others here describe them.  You say it's like a headache that improves over time.  So, I'd like to ask how long I should give these floaters to improve?  The few floaters I had before were something I could live with and I never thought a lot about them.  I don't know how I can come to that same attitude with so many now.  I can't even move them around to get them out of my view.  Once one leaves two more float into place.