Floaters

It’s common to experience eye floaters, especially as you age. You may see small dark shapes, threads, or cobweb-like lines that float across your vision. Sumit Bhatia, MD, at Signature Retina Consultants, provides expert care for anyone experiencing eye floaters in Braidwood, Illinois. Dr. Bhatia performs a comprehensive eye exam to diagnose the cause of floaters and can offer treatment options if the floaters are related to a more serious condition or are affecting your daily life. Reach out by phone or online to schedule an appointment with the practice today.

What causes floaters?

Floaters are often a consequence of aging and can come and go over time. You may also experience floaters when you’re looking at a bright light or a white paper.

As you get older, small lines of vitreous, the gel-like fluid in your eye, begin to clump together. This creates shadows on your retina, which appear as floaters. It’s important to have regular eye exams if you’re seeing floaters. Sometimes they could be a sign of a more severe condition, like: 

• Eye injury or infection 
• Inflammation in your eye 
• Bleeding in your eye 
• Retinal tear or detachment 
• Vitreous detachment 

If you notice floaters for the first time in your vision, reach out to Dr. Bhatia to book a comprehensive eye exam. 

When should I contact my doctor about floaters?

Sometimes floaters aren’t a hindrance to daily life, but they’re important to discuss with your doctor if you’re experiencing them for the first time. If you’re living with diabetes, have recently had cataract surgery, or are near-sighted, you’re at risk for floaters.

If you’ve noticed an intense onset of floaters that appear, often with bright light or flashes, this may be a sign of a more serious condition. Blurred areas in your peripheral vision, dark shadows appearing, and eye pain are other symptoms to discuss with your doctor. 

Floaters with these symptoms could be a sign of a retinal detachment or tear, which require immediate treatment.

What are floater treatment options?

The first step in treating eye floaters is undergoing an eye exam. Dr. Bhatia then determines if your floaters are a result of aging, which may not require treatment, or because of a medical condition.  

If your floaters are a result of a serious condition, Dr. Bhatia works with you to develop a treatment plan. If you’d like to treat the floaters directly, he offers laser and surgical options. 

In a laser procedure, Dr. Bhatia uses advanced technology to separate the floaters and make them less prominent in your eyesight. Dr. Bhatia discusses any risks associated with laser treatments. 

A vitrectomy is a surgical procedure that removes your vitreous and replaces it with a salt solution. Eventually, your eyes replace this with your body’s natural fluid. This procedure also may have retinal risks, but Dr. Bhatia talks you through all the options. 

Reach out to Dr. Bhatia at Signature Retina Consultants to discuss treating your floaters today.