Yag Laser Vitreolysis

For a long time, you just had to live with floaters. Or in debilitating cases, undergo an operation called Pars Plana Vitrectomy.  Its use for floaters is still not standard of care, as some surgeons consider it too aggressive for "just" floaters. 

But we recognize there are persistent floaters that affect quality of life.  Vitrectomy is still most effective treatment, but due to  side effects like cataract formation, and small chance of Retinal Detachment, we dont offer it unless patient begs for it. 

Now, we have a special laser machine that allows us to treat floaters. The Laser is not the same as the one used for after cataract, which is commonly available. It is called the Ellex Ultra QR, which has special mirrors  which allow us to treat these opacities which are located further back in the eye known as vitreous cavity. 

Not all floaters need treatment, only those that affect quality of life. Only certain types of floaters called Weiss rings have a good success rate as of now, so I limit treatment to this type. 

Treatment is outpatient, and we use topical anesthesia. Treatment may be in 1-3 sessions, in case of residual floaters. Chirag Shah et al shows a single treatment success rate of 50-60 percent. Its not uncommon to have more than 1 treatment session. You have to be patient, as initially you may experience more floaters, as we attempt to vaporize the remaining pieces.