marc (01/21/83)
Question regarding floaters: Is there anything that can be done to eliminate them or at least make them less noticeable? Has anyone noticed any changes with diet, etc.? Marc Pucci
smk (01/23/83)
I have had floaters in my eye since I had eye surgery. They don't appear all the time, but I can get them to appear when I want. When in boring classes in school, I used to make the floaters appear and get them to dance around. I would also try to line them up with objects in the room. Everyone was watching the teacher/professor, so no one noticed my eyes were moving around. It sure beat listening to the material. --steve
patc (01/28/83)
There was a discussion of "floaters" among other eye
phenomenon in the "Ameture Scientist" column of "Scientific
American" about 3-6 months ago. If you have noticed floaters
or are intrested in them you might look up the article.
Pat Caudill
{decvax,ucpvax,pur-ee,zehntel}!teklabs!tekmdp!patcavr@purdue.UUCP (Andrew V. Royappa) (02/07/86)
Pardon me if this subject has been dealt with before (how
unlikely), or if it's too weird.
When I look at a light surface, I see small round things
floating by - particles of some kind in the eye fluid (aqueous,
vitreous, something like that?). Anyway, this is probably normal for
most people. The problem is, *I* see big blobs of floaters (whole
collections of round particles). This is usually not very annoying,
except that I happen to be a student, and all the classes I'm in are
taught using projectors with transparencies, so I'm often in the in a
semi-darkened room looking up at a big bright screen with some stuff on
it, and the blobs of floaters are immensely magnified and distracting,
since they don't stand still, and are always running away from your
direct line of vision.
I remember reading a Scientific American article about this a
long time back (when I didn't have this problem). Apparently the little
round things are red blood vessels let loose into the eye by capillaries
(?) in the retina or whatever. That seems to make sense to me, since
when I see the floaters "magnified," they sure look very similar to red
blood cells. I can see them in rather good detail, even if I can't look
at them directly.
I'd like to know any or all of the following, if possible:
1. Why I have so many of these round things floating around
2. If it is an indication of an eye problem
3. If answer to (2) is "yes,"
a. what I could do about it
b. what kind of person I should consult - "doctor"
"optician" "optometrist" "opthalmologist" etc.
- I don't know how they precisely differ.
4. Which (Year+Month) SciAm magazine the above-mentioned
article on this subject appeared in
5. If answer to (5) is "dunno," how I can find out
(other than writing to SciAm, I guess), and what
other kinds of books/publications (might) deal with this.
6. Any other information you feel may be remotely helpful, or
relevant - respond to me or the net as you find appropriate.
Thank you,
Andrew V. Royappa
Dept. of Computer Science
Purdue University
UUCP: {ihnp4, decvax, pur-ee, ucbvax}!purdue!avr
ARPA: avr@purdue-mordred
avr@purdue-arthur
CSNET: avr%purdue.csnet
P.S. -- If you have trouble reaching me by mail, please post. I really
want as much information on this as possible.unixcorn@dcc1.UUCP (math.c) (02/11/86)
In article <483@mordred.purdue.UUCP> avr@purdue.UUCP (Andrew V. Royappa) writes: > > When I look at a light surface, I see small round things >floating by - particles of some kind in the eye fluid (aqueous, >vitreous, something like that?). Anyway, this is probably normal for >most people. The problem is, *I* see big blobs of floaters (whole >collections of round particles). This is usually not very annoying, >except that I happen to be a student, and all the classes I'm in are >taught using projectors with transparencies, so I'm often in the in a >semi-darkened room looking up at a big bright screen with some stuff on >it, and the blobs of floaters are immensely magnified and distracting, >since they don't stand still, and are always running away from your >direct line of vision. > Andrew V. Royappa If you have noticed a MARKED increase in the number or size of the floaters (and especially if you are nearsighted) GOTO an opthamologist NOW! Do not let the receptionist give you an appt next month, get one today, tomorrow! I am not talking about the little floaters we all have, but a large number of small floaters or a large one appearing suddenly can be very bad news. Why my hysteria? I had the lovely experience of having my right retina detach in my first semester of grad school. Once it has detached it can only be repaired (if lucky, I was) by major, expensive, long recovery time for the eye, surgery. If you have a sudden increase of floaters, it MAY be a signal that part of your retina has a tear in it. These can sit quietly without going further for years, or your retina can peel away from the back of your eye and leave you blind in a minute. A tear can be repaired using laser surgery on an outpatient basis. The detachment is a real pain. The laser surgery (if you are ever so unlucky as to need it) is fast, near painless (get that damn light out of my eyes!) and has a pretty short recovery time. (Days, not weeks) I have had it on both eyes now (evidently my eyes rip as badly as my stockings) and have had no further problems. I am particularly paranoid on the subject because two people I know asked me about NEW, BIG floaters that had appeared suddenly, I gave them the advise to see someone right away, neither did. Both had detachments within a week. (Sorry if this sounds like a chain letter, but honestly, twice was too much). If you want, I can tell you how they repair the detachment... I am glad I did not know how they did it til after it was done. DISCLAIMER: I'm a simple hardworking Math/Cs instructor, not a Vet. This is the general rest in bed drink plenty of fluids wear your sweater advise your mom would give you. -- unixcorn (alias m. gould) "there's a unicorn in the garden and he's eating a lily" gatech!dcc1!unixcorn
dr@ski.UUCP (David Robins) (02/12/86)
> > Pardon me if this subject has been dealt with before (how > unlikely), or if it's too weird. > > When I look at a light surface, I see small round things > floating by - particles of some kind in the eye fluid (aqueous, > vitreous, something like that?). Anyway, this is probably normal for > most people. The problem is, *I* see big blobs of floaters (whole > collections of round particles). This is usually not very annoying, > except that I happen to be a student, and all the classes I'm in are > taught using projectors with transparencies, so I'm often in the in a > semi-darkened room looking up at a big bright screen with some stuff on > it, and the blobs of floaters are immensely magnified and distracting, > since they don't stand still, and are always running away from your > direct line of vision. > > I remember reading a Scientific American article about this a > long time back (when I didn't have this problem). Apparently the little > round things are red blood vessels let loose into the eye by capillaries > (?) in the retina or whatever. That seems to make sense to me, since > when I see the floaters "magnified," they sure look very similar to red > blood cells. I can see them in rather good detail, even if I can't look > at them directly. > > I'd like to know any or all of the following, if possible: > 1. Why I have so many of these round things floating around Most people have some floaters- they are usually light-gray, and out-of-focus, because they are in the mid-vitreous. They are usually clumps of collagen fibrils. The normally separated fibrils clump up as the vitrous ages and liquifies centrally. (I haven't heard of them being red blood cells- the retinal capillaries usually don't leak ANY cells. What you may have heard is about another phenomenon- referred to as the BLUE FIELD ENTOPTIC Phenomenon. When looking at a bright pure blue light (sometimes the blue sky), one can see dancing, tiny round spots which have a clear surround. These are the white blood cells WITHIN the capillaries of the macula (central) area of the retina. They are seen moving along pathways described by the vessels. Other types of vitreous floaters are due to debris on the back of a separated vitreous posterior face, where it has separated normally from a healthy retina, OR are due to material within the vitreous, other than the collagen mentioned above. Such clumps can be pigment, recent hemorrhages, or pieces of the retina. Anyone who has recent onset of floaters, either solid, fluffy, or cobwebbed in appearance, should be examined to rule out the possibilty of a retinal tear or retinal hole. All vitreous floaters move around because they are either free-floating in the vitreous gel, on the posterior vitreous face, or in the middle of liquified vitreous. Liquification occurs due to aging (40's and up), happens earlier in myopes (nearsighted), or with a history of eye injury or intraocular infection. > 2. If it is an indication of an eye problem Most innocuous vitreous floaters are gradual onset, and long-standing. A new vitreous separation will cause a sudden shower of floaters, associated with FLASHES. Flashes are due to traction on, or bouncing against, the retina. They look like lightning. Flashes can also be due to retina tears, and impending retinal detachment. Non-progressive, long-standing flashes are not dangerous, but new ones MUST be examined. Seriousness cannot always be differentiated by the symptoms. If you have large floaters, and have never been examined, it should be done. > 3. If answer to (2) is "yes," > a. what I could do about it > b. what kind of person I should consult - "doctor" "optician" "optometrist" "opthalmologist" etc. - I don't know how they precisely differ. You should have a DILATED retinal examination by an OPHTHALMOLOGIST. An ophthalmologist (M.D. or O.D.)is a medical physician and surgeon, trained in the specialty of the eyes(3-4 years after internship). An even better person is an ophthalmologist who is a sub-specialist in RETINA. Look up one, or your ophthalmologist can examine you and refer you if necessary. A dilated exam is necessary to examine the periphery of the retina, where most of the pathology and tears occur. (Don't drive after dilation until the pupils return to normal in several hours, and bring dark sunglasses if you have them). An optometrist (D.O.) is someone who has gone to a school of optometry. They are trained in basic eye examination, but especially in measuring the vison and refraction, for correction with glasses, contact lenses, etc. Some also offer eye exercise programs. (I personally feel most eye exercise are nt of great value.) Optometrists are often the primary person consulted by eye patients, partly becasue there are many more of them than ophthalmologists. Although ophthalmologists also do refractions, there main forte is in pathologic conditions and therapy of the eyes. In most states, medications for the yes can only be prescribed by a physician (M.D. or D.O.) An optician is someone trained in making eyeglasses (grinding lenses, fitting frames, etc). Some have extra training to enable them to fit contact lenses under the auspices of an ophthalmologist or optometrist. > 4. Which (Year+Month) SciAm magazine the above-mentioned article on this subject appeared in Don't know > 5. If answer to (5) is "dunno," how I can find out (other than writing to SciAm, I guess), and what other kinds of books/publications (might) deal with this. > 6. Any other information you feel may be remotely helpful, or relevant - respond to me or the net as you find appropriate. I have a handout about floaters, but most of what it covers is mentioned above. In addition, many ophthalmologists have a pamphlet in the office from the American Academy of Ophthalmology on floaters (it was added to the pamphlet list this year). -- ==================================================================== David Robins, M.D. Smith-Kettlewell Institute of Visual Sciences 2232 Webster St; San Francisco CA 94115 415/561-1705 {ihnp4,qantel,dual}!ptsfa!ski!dr The opinions expressed herein do not reflect the opinion of the Institute!
rft@ihuxb.UUCP (Tamos) (02/12/86)
> When I look at a light surface, I see small round things > floating by - particles of some kind in the eye fluid (aqueous, > vitreous, something like that?). Anyway, this is probably normal for > most people. The problem is, *I* see big blobs of floaters (whole > collections of round particles). This is usually not very annoying, > except that I happen to be a student, and all the classes I'm in are > taught using projectors with transparencies, so I'm often in the in a > semi-darkened room looking up at a big bright screen with some stuff on > it, and the blobs of floaters are immensely magnified and distracting, Get to an opthamologist NOW!!! It seems as if you have had floaters for a while, but the change for the worse is serious. I got my floaters after a detached retina, not before. You do NOT WANT to go through the experience of a detached retina. Time is CRITICAL when it involves retinas. An extra day can make difference between sight and blindness.