Are you frustrated by little “cobwebs” or specks that float in your field of vision? Those are commonly known as eye floaters, and you’re not alone. Most people experience floaters to some degree. When floaters begin obscuring your vision or distracting you from enjoying daily activities, it’s time to talk to your eye doctor about treatment. And now, treatment options for floaters are better than ever with the introduction of Laser Floater Treatment or LFT.
What are floaters?
Floaters are tiny clumps of cells or material in the clear, gel-like fluid that fills your eye (vitreous). These clumps produce dark shadows on your retina that appear in different sizes and in different shapes in your vision, including dots, lines, clouds or webs. While generally considered benign, floaters can negatively affect your vision quality.
What causes floaters?
As your eyes age, the vitreous humor – the colorless gel that fills the space between your eye lens and retina – degenerates, losing its form and liquefying. That instability allows collagen cells within the fluid to clump together and form floating masses. In some cases, the vitreous humor peels away from the retina entirely, causing rapid onset of numerous floaters.
Floaters are more common in people who have diabetes, are very nearsighted or have had cataract surgery.
How does Laser Floater Treatment (LFT) work?
Laser Floater Treatment was pioneered by Ellex, a company built to transform the sight of people across the globe. Their specialized Reflex™ Technology makes LFT possible with a laser specifically designed for floaters.
Nanosecond laser pulses precisely target the floater clumps, breaking them apart and converting them into gas which then dissolves into the air. Floaters are thus removed and/or reduced in size, allowing you to return to normal day-to-day activities without interference from floaters.
The procedure is non-invasive and performed in your ophthalmologist’s office. A complete cycle of treatment typically requires two or three 20-60-minute in-office treatments.
North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care is the only practice in the Gainesville area to offer this exciting treatment, and patients are benefiting with clearer vision. Dr. Gregory Snodgrass says the treatment is delivering great outcomes for patients. “It’s really wonderful to be able to make this almost immediate improvement in so many patients’ vision. Our patients are thrilled with the results.”
If you or someone you know would like to see clearly without interference from floaters, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300.