Buzz
Even those with perfect vision might recognize this experience: You’re enjoying a clear sightline when a faint shape appears at the edge of your view, resembling a microscopic organism. Eye floaters are a common issue for nearly everyone, but currently, there is no widely accepted non-invasive solution. Two ophthalmologists from Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston are working to change this. According to IFLScience, the team believes lasers could be the answer to these bothersome visual disturbances.
In their study published in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology, Chirag Shah and Jeffrey Heier explain that lasers can effectively target and treat the root causes of floaters. This condition, known as muscae volitantes or “hovering flies” in Latin, results from small debris entering the eye. The vitreous humor, a jelly-like substance that fills the front of the eye, can sometimes release droplets that cast shadows on the retina, which appear as gray spots. Since floaters move with the eye, focusing on them is nearly impossible.
Younger individuals typically don’t experience significant issues with floaters, but as people age, the vitreous humor becomes more watery, increasing the likelihood that these particles will shift and obstruct vision. Although rare, more serious issues like retinal detachment or tears can also lead to floaters.
Shah and Heier tested a novel approach to targeting and eliminating eye floaters using a YAG laser, a type commonly used in cataract surgery, on 36 patients. Additionally, 16 participants received a placebo treatment using a sham laser. The results showed that 54% of those who received the laser treatment experienced a reduction in floaters over six months, compared to just 9% of the placebo group. While the procedure seems safe and free from side effects, the researchers noted that longer follow-up is needed to assess the long-term effects.
Currently, individuals with bothersome floaters have two options: undergo surgery or continue living with the condition indefinitely. YAG laser treatment could potentially become a safer, simpler alternative in the future, but the researchers emphasize the need for larger studies before this treatment can be made publicly available.
