HealthCare

Is there a safe way to get rid of floaters in my vision?

Understanding Floaters: Is There a Safe Solution?

Regarding floaters, is there a safe way to get rid of them? Quite honestly, there's no completely safe way to do it, but understanding what they are and where they come from or how they develop is important. They were first written about by the Greeks probably 2,500 years ago, called them flying gnats, etc. And as we got further into autopsies, etc., we realized that it's a syneresis of the vitreous humor, a clumping, and that those floaters then will cast a shadow on the retina and appear to be moving across your line of sight. There's really not a safe way to get rid of them. There are ways with lasers to vaporize the floater and there is a more dramatic way to do it with a retinal specialist performing a vitrectomy if it's really necessary. Very rarely is that a necessary procedure, but it is important to understand that, yes, there are ways to get rid of floaters. The newest research shows that there may be supplements, the research being done in Ireland and Germany, showing that there may be supplements that will break up these clumps of protein in your vitreous. So, we read about this research and look forward to sharing it with you.

There is no completely safe way to get rid of floaters, but there are ways such as lasers or vitrectomy that can be done if necessary. Additionally, new research suggests that supplements may be able to help break up the clumps of protein in your vitreous, though more research is needed.

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When it comes to floaters in your vision, is there a safe way to get rid of them? Honestly, there's no completely safe method, but it's important to understand what they are and how they develop. Floaters have been described as flying gnats by the Greeks over 2,500 years ago. They result from clumping in the vitreous humor, casting shadows on the retina and appearing as moving specks in your line of sight. Laser treatment can be used to vaporize floaters, and in more severe cases, a retinal specialist may perform a vitrectomy. However, these procedures are rarely necessary. Recent research from Ireland and Germany suggests that supplements might help break up these protein clumps in the vitreous humor. We look forward to sharing more information as this research progresses.

What age should children begin getting their eyes regularly checked?

Regular eye check-ups for children: Key takeaways

I believe the operative word in this question is regularly, when the eyes should be checked regularly. Initially, a baby should be checked for retinoblastoma and a variety of different fairly dangerous diseases that can occur in very young kids. As they get a little older, depending on the family pedigree and the gene pool construct, you should look for binocular vision, the ability to use the two eyes together for amblyopia, does the family have a history of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. And by the age of five, you can probably get pretty good responses from the child. And so I would begin regular eye checks, eye examinations yearly during the school years because you want to make sure that they are prepared for proper academic excellence, reading, etc. And that the possibility for athletic performance is not interfered with by any kind of binocular vision problem or refractive error. So I would say once a year is a good indicator and probably as the start of the school year would be a good time frame. And give the child the opportunity to learn well and perform well in what they do at school.

Babies should be checked for retinal blastoma and a variety of different diseases. As they get older, checks should be done to check for binocular vision, nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Regular checks should be done once a year, preferably at the start of the school year to ensure proper academic excellence and athletic performance.

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The key aspect to consider in this question is regular eye checks for children. Initially, a baby should be checked for retinoblastoma and other potential diseases. As they grow older, factors such as binocular vision, family history of eye conditions, and refractive errors should be taken into account. By the age of five, children can provide reliable responses during eye examinations. Therefore, I recommend beginning regular eye checks on a yearly basis during the school years. This ensures that children are prepared for academic success and that any potential vision issues do not interfere with their performance, both academically and athletically. Scheduling the check-up at the start of the school year allows children to learn and excel in their school activities.

Are there any new treatments for cataracts? 

Cutting-Edge Treatments for Cataracts: What You Need to Know

The question is are there any new treatments for cataracts? Let's start initially with what forms cataracts and it can be different biology problems such as diabetes and excessive steroid use, prolonged exposure to the sun, an unhealthy lifestyle, that once those things are addressed and quite possibly wearing ultraviolet protecting glasses, you may put off the need for cataract surgery. Having said that, cataract surgery now is very sophisticated and very, very capable of giving a patient back very good eyesight. The newer treatments include laser assisted creating the incision site and creating the capsule orexas on the front of the lens. And the interocular lenses are now so sophisticated that they can be adjusted with ultraviolet light to correct any small uncorrected refractive areas following the surgery. Surgeries can also include interocular lenses that allow you to read and see at intermediate distances. These can all be explained by the cataract surgeon and those treatments are new and they're very, very sophisticated and helpful for patients.

New treatments for cataracts include laser-assisted incision sites, capsular exes, and interactive lenses that can be adjusted. These treatments are very advanced and allow a patient to regain their eyesight.

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Regarding new treatments for cataracts, it's important to address the underlying causes such as diabetes, excessive steroid use, sun exposure, and an unhealthy lifestyle. Taking preventive measures like wearing UV-protecting glasses can potentially delay the need for cataract surgery. However, if surgery is required, it has become highly sophisticated and effective in restoring good eyesight. Newer treatments involve laser-assisted incisions and creating capsules on the front of the lens. In addition, interocular lenses have advanced to the point where they can be adjusted with ultraviolet light to correct any remaining refractive issues after surgery. There are also interocular lenses available that allow for improved reading and vision at intermediate distances. Cataract surgeons can provide detailed explanations about these treatments, which are both new and highly beneficial for patients.

Can you recommend any exercises or techniques to help reduce eye fatigue during hobbies that involve looking at small objects up close?

Discover how proper magnification can reduce eye fatigue

Eye exercises for the most part have some benefit in improving the facility of focusing near to far for a student who's looking at their notes and then at a smart board or a white board. Same thing in a conference room. It also can help with looking down at the dashboard and back down the road so those things become more efficient. But when you're involved looking at small objects up close for long periods of time, exercises really don't change the shape of the eye, etc. to any great extent. The techniques would be to utilize proper magnification in the form of either eyeglasses, loops that are used by surgeons and dentists looking at small objects, or just a variety of different hobby-related magnification instruments that can be purchased.

Eye exercises can help with focusing near to far, but for looking at small objects up close, proper magnification is more beneficial.

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When it comes to reducing eye fatigue during hobbies that involve looking at small objects up close, exercises mainly benefit students and individuals who need to switch focus between near and far distances. However, these exercises do not significantly alter the shape of the eye for prolonged close-up activities. Instead, it is recommended to utilize proper magnification techniques. This can be achieved through eyeglasses, loops commonly used by surgeons and dentists, or various hobby-related magnification instruments available for purchase. These techniques help reduce strain on the eyes and alleviate eye fatigue during extended periods of close-up work.

What are the signs and symptoms of glaucoma?

Unraveling the Signs and Symptoms of Glaucoma

The signs and symptoms of glaucoma may sound very similar in their telling. The signs can be brow ache, eye pain, red eyes, halos around lights, those kinds of things. And the symptoms can be similar that the patient notices fluctuating vision, red eyes, and the potential for headaches. The red eye has to be differentially diagnosed as either garden variety conjunctivitis, the more severe version of a red eye might be uveitis or iritis, and the glaucoma pressure, you're looking for change over time, is an important part of this differential. The best practices include a thorough case history to know whether there's a family history of glaucoma, whether there's been ocular trauma, and whether there... The key benefit is a three-dimensional view of the optic nerve head and longitudinal measurements of the pressure in the eye, looking for change over time or looking for consistencies in this problem. So a thorough eye exam and repeat eye exams with a dilated exam looking at the optic nerve head are crucial to make sure that the patient does not have glaucoma.

The symptoms of glaucoma can be similar and include fluctuating vision, red eyes, and potential for headaches. A thorough case history, eye exam, and repeat eye exams with a dilated exam are important in order to properly diagnose glaucoma and rule out other conditions.

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The signs and symptoms of glaucoma include brow ache, eye pain, red eyes, and halos around lights. Patients may experience fluctuating vision, red eyes, and headaches. It is important to differentiate between a red eye caused by conjunctivitis or more severe conditions such as uveitis or iritis. Monitoring the change in glaucoma pressure over time is a crucial part of the diagnostic process. Conducting a thorough case history is essential to identify any family history of glaucoma or previous ocular trauma. Additionally, a comprehensive eye exam, including a dilated exam to assess the optic nerve head, is necessary for accurate diagnosis and monitoring of glaucoma.

What can someone do to reduce the risk of developing dry eye syndrome? 

Reducing Dry Eye Syndrome: Tips for a Healthy Eye Environment

What a person can do to reduce the risk of developing dry eye syndrome, when we talk to patients in the office, we talk about two different environments. One is the on-eye environment and the other is the external environment. The on-eye environment means tear chemistry, which those tears are composed of maybe 16 or more elements, but the three main ones are oil, water, and mucus. And those glands derive their nutrients from the bloodstream and the bloodstream should include, the diet should include omega-3 fish oils and other things such as that. The external environment includes, for most people now, includes screens of some sort and the science shows that there's a decreased blink rate when you're on a screen and therefore the glands in the lids, the meibomian glands, start to secrete a more toothpaste-y type material rather than a smooth oily material. So the suggestion is when you're on a screen to look away, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes, if you can remember that little mnemonic. And there are lubricating drops to help keep the recipe of tears proper if your diet doesn't help it keep the proper recipe.

To reduce the risk of developing dry eye syndrome, one should make sure to include omega-3 fish oils in their diet, look away from screens every 20 minutes, and use lubricating drops if needed.

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To reduce the risk of developing dry eye syndrome, there are steps you can take in both the on-eye and external environments. The on-eye environment refers to tear chemistry, which consists of oil, water, and mucus. These components need proper nutrients, such as omega-3 fish oils, which can be obtained from a balanced diet. The external environment includes screen usage, which has been linked to a decreased blink rate and changes in the secretion of meibomian glands in the lids. To combat this, it is recommended to follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look away from the screen and focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This helps alleviate strain on the eyes. Additionally, lubricating eye drops can be used to maintain proper tear composition if dietary adjustments alone are not sufficient.

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Dr. Jack Gardner completed his Optometric studies at Ohio State University, where he was 3rd in his class. He excelled at Villanova University on an Academic Scholarship. He taught at the Illinois College of Optometry for 8 years, caring for patients in his and his father's optometric office. He is a mentor to ICO students and is involved in the community. He has written a chapter in a sports vision textbook, lectured nationally and internationally on sports vision, and was President of the AOA Sports Vision Section in 2002.

Neither AnyQuestion nor its Experts provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment or otherwise provide professional healthcare services.

Dr. Jack Gardner, OD