Most eye floaters are harmless, but for some people they become a genuine daily nuisance. Laser vitreolysis is a non-invasive, in-office treatment that can break up certain bothersome floaters, reducing their impact on your vision without surgery. At Trinidad Vision, we carefully evaluate whether this treatment is a good match for your specific floaters.
What Laser Vitreolysis Treats
Floaters are small clumps or strands within the vitreous, which is the clear gel that fills the back of the eye. They cast shadows on the retina, which you see as cobwebs, specks, or strands that drift across your vision, most noticeably against a bright, plain background like a blue sky or white wall. Most floaters develop naturally with age, as the vitreous gel liquefies and its fibers clump together.
Laser vitreolysis is designed for patients whose floaters are persistent, visually significant, and interfering with daily life.
It works best on certain kinds of floaters, particularly large, well-defined ones located a safe distance from the retina and the eye's natural lens.
A sudden shower of new floaters, especially with flashes of light or a shadow/curtain in your vision, can signal a retinal tear or detachment, which is a medical emergency. If you notice new or worsening floaters, seek care right away rather than waiting to discuss floater laser treatment.
How Laser Vitreolysis Works
The treatment uses a specialized laser to deliver rapid, precise pulses of energy at the floater. This energy vaporizes and fragments the floater, converting the material into tiny gas bubbles that are harmlessly absorbed by the eye. The goal is to either eliminate the floater or reduce it enough that it no longer interferes with your vision, all without entering or removing any of the vitreous gel.
Because the laser works through the intact, closed eye, vitreolysis is far less invasive than the surgical alternative (vitrectomy), which involves incisions and removal of the vitreous. Some patients need more than one session to reach a satisfying result.
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