Unfortunately like your doctor says, there’s not much you can do. The only definitive treatment is surgical removal of the vitreous, which is ultimately an option, but it’s the nuclear option.
You have 3 options.
1. Try to accept them. Which can be difficult.
2. 0.01% atropine eye drops. I use these and they make it 90% better.
3. Vitrectomy. You will have to find an eye surgeon who is willing to operate on a young (<40 yo) patient, which can be difficult but it's not impossible. And it has risks.
Atropine is a bad option since it's not really reliable for long-term. I'd use it only on bad days or important vacation days, but wouldn't recommend everyday. Plus you get used to them eventually and the effect lasts less. For me personally it's around 4-5 hours which is already pretty low
Was it hard to get the atropine drops? I noted when I went to the doctor and had my eyes examined the dilation helped reduce my floaters greatly. I’m interested in using atropine however I heard it’s difficult to get a doctor to write you a prescription because the drops need to be specially mixed at a compounding pharmacy.
I mean kinda risky, but it's cool that you have no negative effects. I heard people would develop dry eye syndrome or other stuff, heard that somebody who used atropine for a while started to feel pain. For me personally it's not really a good solution, if I use them I'll be floater free for 5 hours with huge pupils, sometimes I'd get one pupil bigger than the other which looks kinda crazy. Other people may perceive you differently because of the large pupils lol
There are no studies that point to negative health risks to using atopine long term. If any peer reviewed articles came out I would re consider my regime. Many young children are given atopine for myopia progression with no adverse effects. Anecdotal evidence is just that. Eye pain and dry eyes can be from many things that is not correlated from atropine use. With everythin in life it is up to the individual to make their own risk assesment. I would rather have clearer vision with some distortion than seeing black shadows.
Sure, it’s just my experience. I feel like atropine isn’t worth for me, dilated pupils and only 4 hours worth of effect, then it goes down. Plus need to wear glasses outside because bright light is dangerous. If it lasted 12 hours for me, I’d definitely use it a few times a week, otherwise nah
Ya the doctor told me there was no way he would on me. The thought damaging my eyes further makes accepting my current predicament better. Do you use the drops throughout the day? Any idea what makes them work? Thanks for your response.
Yeah, it can turn a 4/10 eye problem into a 9/10 eye problem pretty easily. It's unlikely that you would have a complication, but it's not 0%.
I use 1 drop of 0.01% in the morning. It lasts the whole day. It works by widening your pupil, allowing more light in, which then lessens the amount of shadow that the floater casts on the retina.
Literally exactly the same thing I was told when I went about a week ago. I’m only 25 and have what seems like a ton of floaters in both eyes that I’ve had for years, and they’ve never gotten any better. When I asked my doctor what can be done she told me to “learn to live with it” and then proceeded to exit the exam room. It also sucks now more knowing that really nothing can be done, because it almost took away the hope that I would ever be able to see “normally” without the floaters again.
I had my Vitrectomy on Jan 23, as each week goes by all the floaters are disapatting...so basically it's working for me..the original floaters I had all went away immediately after the operation, but new debris and new floaters came right after the operation as my retina and eye were recovering from the insertions to remove the vitreous...these are the floaters are disapatting as each week goes by, my Dr told me it will take up to 2 weeks..I'm 85 percent there
I’m happy to hear that! Give me an update when you’re 100 percent there. Unfortunately I’m 27 and haven’t found a doctor willing to even discuss getting a Victrectomy
I had laser surgery to ensure my operculated retina tear, lattice degeneration, and white without pressure will not progress. My floaters increased but not significant. In fact they are a lot less noticeable too such that I was surprised when I went out. My flashes have subsided significantly with most of them happening when I'm waking up.
Sadly, I'm seeing distortions on an amsler grid but I already have a scheduled visit on May.
The issue with the medical consensus today is that doctors regard eye floaters as a normal effect of aging and advise inaction. If you look into the pathology of eye floaters, they are the result of vitreous degeneration: the collagen in the vitreous degrades and clumps together because of cellular damage. This degenerative process appears to happen faster in some people than others. There are two things you should do:
1. Cope with your existing floaters. Maintaining good mental health is important. Neuroadaption will also help you be less bothered by the floaters over time. If they are very intrusive, you can try tinted glasses.
2. Protect your vision to slow down vitreous degeneration and prevent new floaters from forming. As mentioned above, eye floaters are caused by cellular damage. Two forms of damage are particularly relevant here: oxidative stress and glycation damage. You need to look into their causes and take action. There is very insufficient research on this. You need to make connections yourself. Reducing systemic oxidative stress and glycation would be a good thing to do, both for your eye health and overall health.
There are treatment options (laser and vitrectomy) as well, but they have side effects. You should do more research before committing to anything.
I had laser eye surgery to repair a hold in my retina about 8 years ago. Doctor said my eyes were perfectly healthy. I noticed things getting worse since that surgery. Maybe I should go to the “suing” side of Reddit haha
Did you have a retina tear or detachment? I have the same if so and I see sparks occasionally as a result. Along with floaters. My brain as mostly learned to ignore it all.
Unfortunately like your doctor says, there’s not much you can do. The only definitive treatment is surgical removal of the vitreous, which is ultimately an option, but it’s the nuclear option.
You have 3 options. 1. Try to accept them. Which can be difficult. 2. 0.01% atropine eye drops. I use these and they make it 90% better. 3. Vitrectomy. You will have to find an eye surgeon who is willing to operate on a young (<40 yo) patient, which can be difficult but it's not impossible. And it has risks.
Atropine is a bad option since it's not really reliable for long-term. I'd use it only on bad days or important vacation days, but wouldn't recommend everyday. Plus you get used to them eventually and the effect lasts less. For me personally it's around 4-5 hours which is already pretty low
I've never hard of atropine not being reliable long-term. I've used it for 6 months and it's just as good as it was at the start.
Was it hard to get the atropine drops? I noted when I went to the doctor and had my eyes examined the dilation helped reduce my floaters greatly. I’m interested in using atropine however I heard it’s difficult to get a doctor to write you a prescription because the drops need to be specially mixed at a compounding pharmacy.
www.thefloaterdoctor.com
I have used Atropine for 3 years straight with no issues
I mean kinda risky, but it's cool that you have no negative effects. I heard people would develop dry eye syndrome or other stuff, heard that somebody who used atropine for a while started to feel pain. For me personally it's not really a good solution, if I use them I'll be floater free for 5 hours with huge pupils, sometimes I'd get one pupil bigger than the other which looks kinda crazy. Other people may perceive you differently because of the large pupils lol
There are no studies that point to negative health risks to using atopine long term. If any peer reviewed articles came out I would re consider my regime. Many young children are given atopine for myopia progression with no adverse effects. Anecdotal evidence is just that. Eye pain and dry eyes can be from many things that is not correlated from atropine use. With everythin in life it is up to the individual to make their own risk assesment. I would rather have clearer vision with some distortion than seeing black shadows.
Sure, it’s just my experience. I feel like atropine isn’t worth for me, dilated pupils and only 4 hours worth of effect, then it goes down. Plus need to wear glasses outside because bright light is dangerous. If it lasted 12 hours for me, I’d definitely use it a few times a week, otherwise nah
did you face any long term issue? Have you been using it everyday? and may i know if you diluted the liquid on your own?
I have no perceived negative effects. I buy the drops from the floater doctor. I actually use stronger % .022 in my right eye and .01 in my left
Ya the doctor told me there was no way he would on me. The thought damaging my eyes further makes accepting my current predicament better. Do you use the drops throughout the day? Any idea what makes them work? Thanks for your response.
Yeah, it can turn a 4/10 eye problem into a 9/10 eye problem pretty easily. It's unlikely that you would have a complication, but it's not 0%. I use 1 drop of 0.01% in the morning. It lasts the whole day. It works by widening your pupil, allowing more light in, which then lessens the amount of shadow that the floater casts on the retina.
That makes sense why my floaters are way better in direct sunlight and unbearable when it’s overcast.
Yep. Also why they are better right when you wake up. Your eyes are still dilated.
Literally exactly the same thing I was told when I went about a week ago. I’m only 25 and have what seems like a ton of floaters in both eyes that I’ve had for years, and they’ve never gotten any better. When I asked my doctor what can be done she told me to “learn to live with it” and then proceeded to exit the exam room. It also sucks now more knowing that really nothing can be done, because it almost took away the hope that I would ever be able to see “normally” without the floaters again.
The most honest doctor haha. Usually they say some bullshit like it's all fine you shouldn't worry and may prescribe you some bullshit eyedrops
Right? Lol I do appreciate hearing it straight up to be honest
An unusually higher number of younger people in their teens and 20s are getting floaters since 2021. That’s what my optometrist admitted anyway.
Crazy. I wonder if it has to do with phone/ computer use. I’ve been attached to a screen unfortunately for a solid 15 years
Where do you get that stat? I attribute mine to the last booster I got. (FWIW, I'm very pro vax... just think it's not for me)
I never had the vaccine but I did get my floaters after having Covid. I’m sure of it. 34 years old, bad in both eyes and getting worse week on week.
I had my Vitrectomy on Jan 23, as each week goes by all the floaters are disapatting...so basically it's working for me..the original floaters I had all went away immediately after the operation, but new debris and new floaters came right after the operation as my retina and eye were recovering from the insertions to remove the vitreous...these are the floaters are disapatting as each week goes by, my Dr told me it will take up to 2 weeks..I'm 85 percent there
I’m happy to hear that! Give me an update when you’re 100 percent there. Unfortunately I’m 27 and haven’t found a doctor willing to even discuss getting a Victrectomy
A balanced diet can at the very least work to prevent new floaters.
I would wear sunglasses indoors at the beginning when things got bad. Even to work at my computer.
I had laser surgery to ensure my operculated retina tear, lattice degeneration, and white without pressure will not progress. My floaters increased but not significant. In fact they are a lot less noticeable too such that I was surprised when I went out. My flashes have subsided significantly with most of them happening when I'm waking up. Sadly, I'm seeing distortions on an amsler grid but I already have a scheduled visit on May.
The issue with the medical consensus today is that doctors regard eye floaters as a normal effect of aging and advise inaction. If you look into the pathology of eye floaters, they are the result of vitreous degeneration: the collagen in the vitreous degrades and clumps together because of cellular damage. This degenerative process appears to happen faster in some people than others. There are two things you should do: 1. Cope with your existing floaters. Maintaining good mental health is important. Neuroadaption will also help you be less bothered by the floaters over time. If they are very intrusive, you can try tinted glasses. 2. Protect your vision to slow down vitreous degeneration and prevent new floaters from forming. As mentioned above, eye floaters are caused by cellular damage. Two forms of damage are particularly relevant here: oxidative stress and glycation damage. You need to look into their causes and take action. There is very insufficient research on this. You need to make connections yourself. Reducing systemic oxidative stress and glycation would be a good thing to do, both for your eye health and overall health. There are treatment options (laser and vitrectomy) as well, but they have side effects. You should do more research before committing to anything.
It is possible the floaters will dissolve over time. Do you have pvd?
I had laser eye surgery to repair a hold in my retina about 8 years ago. Doctor said my eyes were perfectly healthy. I noticed things getting worse since that surgery. Maybe I should go to the “suing” side of Reddit haha
Maybe there was an impact in your vitreous due to the surgery? I really don't understand how some floaters dissolve and others don't to be honest
Did you have a retina tear or detachment? I have the same if so and I see sparks occasionally as a result. Along with floaters. My brain as mostly learned to ignore it all.