What are the little clearish white circles I sometimes see in my eyes?
Q. Sometimes I see floating clear white circles in my eyes- what causes that? Do you see them too?
A. Eye Floaters and Spots: Symptoms and Signs
If a spot or shadowy shape passes in front of your field of vision or to the side, you are seeing a floater. Because they are inside your eye, they move with your eyes when you try to see them. You may also see flashes of light. These flashes occur more often in older people, and usually are caused by mechanical stimulation of photoreceptors when the gel-like vitreous occasionally tugs on the light-sensitive retina. They may be a warning sign of a detached retina. Flashes also occur after a blow to the head, often called "seeing stars."
Spots and eye floaters
If you have floaters, they'll likely look like this when you peer up at a bright, blue sky.
Vitreous detachment
Clumps of vitreous gel can float in the eye, creating the spots and floaters many people see in bright light. Large numbers of these clumps can be produced when the vitreous gel begins to liquefy or shrink, usually with aging, and detaches from the inner back of the eye (retina). The resulting spots and floaters you see after a vitreous detachment are actually "shadows" cast by clumped bits of vitreous gel when light shines past them onto the retina, where vision processing occurs.
Some people experience flashes of light that appear as jagged lines or "heat waves" in both eyes, often lasting 10-20 minutes. These types of flashes are usually caused by a spasm of blood vessels in the brain, which is called a migraine. If a headache follows the flashes, it is called a migraine headache. However, jagged lines or "heat waves" can occur without a headache. In this case, the light flashes are called an ophthalmic migraine, or a migraine without a headache.
What Causes Eye Floaters and Spots?
When people reach middle age, the gel-like vitreous begins to liquefy and contract. Some parts of the vitreous form clumps or strands inside the eye. The vitreous gel pulls away from the back wall of the eye, causing a posterior vitreous detachment. It is a common cause of floaters, and it is more common for people who:
* are nearsighted;
* have undergone cataract surgery;
* have had YAG laser surgery of the eye;
* have had inflammation inside the eye.
Treatment for Spots and Floaters
Most spots and floaters in the eye are harmless and merely annoying. Many will fade over time and become less bothersome. People sometimes are interested in surgery to remove floaters, but doctors are willing to perform such surgery only in rare instances.
However, the sudden appearance of a significant number of floaters, especially if they are accompanied by flashes of light or other vision disturbances, could indicate a retinal detachment or other serious problem in the eye. If you suddenly see new floaters, visit your eye doctor immediately.
If a spot or shadowy shape passes in front of your field of vision or to the side, you are seeing a floater. Because they are inside your eye, they move with your eyes when you try to see them. You may also see flashes of light. These flashes occur more often in older people, and usually are caused by mechanical stimulation of photoreceptors when the gel-like vitreous occasionally tugs on the light-sensitive retina. They may be a warning sign of a detached retina. Flashes also occur after a blow to the head, often called "seeing stars."
Spots and eye floaters
If you have floaters, they'll likely look like this when you peer up at a bright, blue sky.
Vitreous detachment
Clumps of vitreous gel can float in the eye, creating the spots and floaters many people see in bright light. Large numbers of these clumps can be produced when the vitreous gel begins to liquefy or shrink, usually with aging, and detaches from the inner back of the eye (retina). The resulting spots and floaters you see after a vitreous detachment are actually "shadows" cast by clumped bits of vitreous gel when light shines past them onto the retina, where vision processing occurs.
Some people experience flashes of light that appear as jagged lines or "heat waves" in both eyes, often lasting 10-20 minutes. These types of flashes are usually caused by a spasm of blood vessels in the brain, which is called a migraine. If a headache follows the flashes, it is called a migraine headache. However, jagged lines or "heat waves" can occur without a headache. In this case, the light flashes are called an ophthalmic migraine, or a migraine without a headache.
What Causes Eye Floaters and Spots?
When people reach middle age, the gel-like vitreous begins to liquefy and contract. Some parts of the vitreous form clumps or strands inside the eye. The vitreous gel pulls away from the back wall of the eye, causing a posterior vitreous detachment. It is a common cause of floaters, and it is more common for people who:
* are nearsighted;
* have undergone cataract surgery;
* have had YAG laser surgery of the eye;
* have had inflammation inside the eye.
Treatment for Spots and Floaters
Most spots and floaters in the eye are harmless and merely annoying. Many will fade over time and become less bothersome. People sometimes are interested in surgery to remove floaters, but doctors are willing to perform such surgery only in rare instances.
However, the sudden appearance of a significant number of floaters, especially if they are accompanied by flashes of light or other vision disturbances, could indicate a retinal detachment or other serious problem in the eye. If you suddenly see new floaters, visit your eye doctor immediately.
What are those little dots floating in my eyes?
Q. When I look around I see these strange dots and lines floating around and they move when I move my eyes. What are they? Is it dangerous or normal?
A. Floaters are actually cellular debris within the vitreous, the jelly-like fluid that fills the inside of the eye. They may be seen as strings, streaks, clouds, bugs, dots, dust, or spider webs. These objects appear to be in front of the eye, but they are really floating in this fluid, and at the same time, casting their shadows on the retina, the light sensing inner layer of the eye. Floaters are also often noticed in people who are nearsighted (myopic), and those who have been operated on for cataract or Yag laser surgery.
Floaters could interfere with reading, and can be quite bothersome. Even though there is no treatment or cure, they may slowly fade out over time. One possible remedy is to move the eyes up and down when a floater appears. The vitreous fluid may shift, thus permitting the floater to move out of the line of vision.For the most part, floaters are usually nothing to worry about, being simply a result of the normal aging development
Floaters could interfere with reading, and can be quite bothersome. Even though there is no treatment or cure, they may slowly fade out over time. One possible remedy is to move the eyes up and down when a floater appears. The vitreous fluid may shift, thus permitting the floater to move out of the line of vision.For the most part, floaters are usually nothing to worry about, being simply a result of the normal aging development
What's the difference between an optometrist and an opthamologist?
Q. I was wondering what the difference is between an optometrist and an opthamologist. I have my eyes checked annually by an optometrist but was wondering if I should see an opthamologist.
Are opthamologists more skilled or more specialized? Should one see one regularly or just if you suspect there's a problem?
I know this sounds like a dumb question but I'm getter older and I know that my eyes aren't what they used to be so I was wondering if they require extra care that an optometrist can't provide.
Are opthamologists more skilled or more specialized? Should one see one regularly or just if you suspect there's a problem?
I know this sounds like a dumb question but I'm getter older and I know that my eyes aren't what they used to be so I was wondering if they require extra care that an optometrist can't provide.
A. Here is the truth.
Optometric physicians (optometrists) are REAL DOCTORS. They have been trained at optometry schools and receive a doctorate of optometry upon graduation. The degree is an OD. Ophthalmologists are REAL DOCTORS. They have been trained at a medical school, receive a doctorate in medicine, and upon graduation specialize in the field of opthalmologiy. The degree is an MD.
Some of your answerers have said that essentially the difference is that optometrists don't do surgery and ophthalmologists do. Well that just isn't so. I am an optometric physician (optometrist) and I REGULARLY perform surgical procedures in my office, am legally licensed by my state to do so, and am reimbursed for these surgical procedures by medical insurance companies including Medicare.
The reason there is so much confusion is that even though all optometric physicians are trained in optometry school to perform these surgical procedures, not every state recognizes their training and licenses them to perform these surgeries. Over the last several years, though, state after state has begun to realize how well trained optometrists are and are therefore passing legislation to allow optometrists to practice to the full extent of their training. Of course, there are several ocular surgical procedures for which I am not licensed because simply I am not educated nor qualified to perform these surgeries. And my state board will not allow me to perform these surgeries. But for many diseases of the eye, (in states that recognize optometric surgery) optometrist's and ophthalmologist's abilities overlap.
I regularly (and have been doing so for about 18 years) perform Yag laser capsulotomy (a surgical procedure), anterior foreign body removal (a surgical procedure), anterior corneal stromal puncture (a surgical procedure) to name a few. I also regularly diagnose and treat ocular diseases such as corneal ulcers, bacterial and viral infections, iritis, keratitis, and glaucoma, to name just a few.
Now there is a good chance that if an opthalmologist sees what I have written, you are going to see a pretty emotionally charged response to my position. There has been for several years a pretty heated battle going on between the two professions. Some (but thankfully not all) opthalmologists believe that unless a person is educated in a medical school they do not have the intelligence nor skills to diagnose and treat diseases of the eye and perform surgery. But when a non biased open minded group of men in state legislative bodies around our country are provided the FACTS about the education and capabiltity of optometric physicians they are increasingly and overwhelmingly granting optometric physicians the LEGAL RIGHT to do what we have been trained to do.
So no matter what you may have heard, optometrists are REAL doctors who treat REAL patients with REAL diseases with REAL surgical instruments. And by the way, we do a REAL GOOD JOB of it.
Optometric physicians (optometrists) are REAL DOCTORS. They have been trained at optometry schools and receive a doctorate of optometry upon graduation. The degree is an OD. Ophthalmologists are REAL DOCTORS. They have been trained at a medical school, receive a doctorate in medicine, and upon graduation specialize in the field of opthalmologiy. The degree is an MD.
Some of your answerers have said that essentially the difference is that optometrists don't do surgery and ophthalmologists do. Well that just isn't so. I am an optometric physician (optometrist) and I REGULARLY perform surgical procedures in my office, am legally licensed by my state to do so, and am reimbursed for these surgical procedures by medical insurance companies including Medicare.
The reason there is so much confusion is that even though all optometric physicians are trained in optometry school to perform these surgical procedures, not every state recognizes their training and licenses them to perform these surgeries. Over the last several years, though, state after state has begun to realize how well trained optometrists are and are therefore passing legislation to allow optometrists to practice to the full extent of their training. Of course, there are several ocular surgical procedures for which I am not licensed because simply I am not educated nor qualified to perform these surgeries. And my state board will not allow me to perform these surgeries. But for many diseases of the eye, (in states that recognize optometric surgery) optometrist's and ophthalmologist's abilities overlap.
I regularly (and have been doing so for about 18 years) perform Yag laser capsulotomy (a surgical procedure), anterior foreign body removal (a surgical procedure), anterior corneal stromal puncture (a surgical procedure) to name a few. I also regularly diagnose and treat ocular diseases such as corneal ulcers, bacterial and viral infections, iritis, keratitis, and glaucoma, to name just a few.
Now there is a good chance that if an opthalmologist sees what I have written, you are going to see a pretty emotionally charged response to my position. There has been for several years a pretty heated battle going on between the two professions. Some (but thankfully not all) opthalmologists believe that unless a person is educated in a medical school they do not have the intelligence nor skills to diagnose and treat diseases of the eye and perform surgery. But when a non biased open minded group of men in state legislative bodies around our country are provided the FACTS about the education and capabiltity of optometric physicians they are increasingly and overwhelmingly granting optometric physicians the LEGAL RIGHT to do what we have been trained to do.
So no matter what you may have heard, optometrists are REAL doctors who treat REAL patients with REAL diseases with REAL surgical instruments. And by the way, we do a REAL GOOD JOB of it.
Anyone out there ever had the YAG laser used on their eyes after a crystalens implant surgery?
Q. Just wondering because I will be getting it done soon, and I just would like to know what to expect.
A. I perform Yag laser surgeries on pretty much a daily basis. First, understand that Yag laser surgery to clear opacification of the posterior capsule following cataract surgery is totally painless.
Here is how we do it in my office. The patient comes in for a diagnostic exam to be sure that they do indeed need Yag laser surgery. The patient is then scheduled to return for the actual surgery. Upon the surgery visit the patient is given an informed consent explanation of the benefits and risks of the procedure and after any questions are answered the patient begins the pre operative preparation.
This involves dilation of the operative eye and instillation of a drop called iopidine that minimizes the risk of post operative spikes in the pressure of the eye. Once the eye has had time to absorb the dilating drops and the iopidine, the patient is escorted to the laser room. The laser looks very much like the microscope the doctor uses to inspect the eye under magnification but there is an additional laser head attached to the instrument.
Just before performing the laser I instill a drop of topical anesthetic to numb the surface of the eye so that there is no sensation when I place the capsulotomy lens on the front of the eye. Some doctors don't use a capsulotomy lens but I do. It gives me a much better view of what I am doing and allows me to be much more precise in applying the laser pulses exactly where I need them.
When the laser is fired you may see some flashes of light and you may hear some popping type sounds inside your head. If you do hear or see these things that is very normal. Don't let that worry you.
Average operative time, depending upon the density of the cloudiness, is usually only 5 to 10 minutes. After I have completely cleared the cloudiness I remove the capsulotomy lens from the front of the eye. If the doctor uses a capsulotomy lens you will notice your vision will be quite blurry due to the thick fluid that is placed in the lens before it is inserted. This thick fluid (called goniosol) will disturb your tears for some time until your normal tears wash the goniosol out. Also, the dilation of the eye will cause some blurring until the dilation wears off.
After the procedure is complete, I again instill another drop of iopidine to further minimize the risk of post op pressure spikes. Five minutes after the end of the procedure I check to make sure the pressure in the eye is normal. If so, the patient is sent home with a prescription of a steroid drop called Pred Acetate 1% to be instilled four times a day for 5 days. This drop minimizes the risk of the patient developing cystoid macular edema following the surgery. Not all docs use this post op med but I have been using it now for the last several years and since using it I have had no cases of post op cystoid macular edema.
When the pupil returns to its normal shape you will see just about as clearly as you are going to see following the surgery. Of course, the length of dilation can vary greatly from patient to patient.
Here is how we do it in my office. The patient comes in for a diagnostic exam to be sure that they do indeed need Yag laser surgery. The patient is then scheduled to return for the actual surgery. Upon the surgery visit the patient is given an informed consent explanation of the benefits and risks of the procedure and after any questions are answered the patient begins the pre operative preparation.
This involves dilation of the operative eye and instillation of a drop called iopidine that minimizes the risk of post operative spikes in the pressure of the eye. Once the eye has had time to absorb the dilating drops and the iopidine, the patient is escorted to the laser room. The laser looks very much like the microscope the doctor uses to inspect the eye under magnification but there is an additional laser head attached to the instrument.
Just before performing the laser I instill a drop of topical anesthetic to numb the surface of the eye so that there is no sensation when I place the capsulotomy lens on the front of the eye. Some doctors don't use a capsulotomy lens but I do. It gives me a much better view of what I am doing and allows me to be much more precise in applying the laser pulses exactly where I need them.
When the laser is fired you may see some flashes of light and you may hear some popping type sounds inside your head. If you do hear or see these things that is very normal. Don't let that worry you.
Average operative time, depending upon the density of the cloudiness, is usually only 5 to 10 minutes. After I have completely cleared the cloudiness I remove the capsulotomy lens from the front of the eye. If the doctor uses a capsulotomy lens you will notice your vision will be quite blurry due to the thick fluid that is placed in the lens before it is inserted. This thick fluid (called goniosol) will disturb your tears for some time until your normal tears wash the goniosol out. Also, the dilation of the eye will cause some blurring until the dilation wears off.
After the procedure is complete, I again instill another drop of iopidine to further minimize the risk of post op pressure spikes. Five minutes after the end of the procedure I check to make sure the pressure in the eye is normal. If so, the patient is sent home with a prescription of a steroid drop called Pred Acetate 1% to be instilled four times a day for 5 days. This drop minimizes the risk of the patient developing cystoid macular edema following the surgery. Not all docs use this post op med but I have been using it now for the last several years and since using it I have had no cases of post op cystoid macular edema.
When the pupil returns to its normal shape you will see just about as clearly as you are going to see following the surgery. Of course, the length of dilation can vary greatly from patient to patient.
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Title Post: What are the little clearish white circles I sometimes see in my eyes?
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