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Floaters
Can teenagers get floaters?
Floater syndrome can also occur in adolescents. Floater syndrome is also known as vitreous haze. Mild vitreous haze does not affect vision, but it is more noticeable under bright light. The shapes vary, and they seem to fly in front of the eyes, typically not visible in darker environments, which means they are hard to see at night. In such cases, it is important to rest properly and use one's eyes correctly. If there is any refractive error, it should be correctly addressed with appropriate glasses. If conditions like myopia, hypermetropia, or astigmatism are not actively treated, they can lead to varying degrees of amblyopia or strabismus, thus they should be taken seriously.
For floaters, should you use hot or cold compresses?
Floater, also known as vitreous opacity, generally does not require hot compresses, nor does it require cold or ice compresses. If floaters do not affect vision, it is called physiological floater; if they affect vision, it is called pathological floater. Once floaters occur, active examination and serious treatment should be carried out. If it is physiological floaters, it is important to rest, reduce close-range operations, avoid eye fatigue, and some dextranomer eye drops and lecithin complex iodine tablets can be used orally, which generally can improve after treatment; if it is pathological vitreous opacity, a detailed examination at an ophthalmology outpatient clinic should be sought for active treatment. (If medication is needed, please proceed under the guidance of a doctor)
Is floaters related to the liver?
Floater syndrome is generally not associated with the liver, but Traditional Chinese Medicine theory believes it is related to the liver. The liver in Traditional Chinese Medicine is not the physical liver in our body, but rather a theoretical concept. Floater syndrome can generally be divided into physiological floaters and pathological floaters, also known as vitreous opacity. Physiological vitreous opacity generally does not require special treatment; it is sufficient to rest, use eye drops regularly, such as Amiodone eye drops, or conduct regular check-ups. If it is pathological vitreous opacity, one should visit an ophthalmology clinic for an eye ultrasound and a fundus photography examination to receive active treatment.
What is the most effective treatment for floaters?
Clinically known as vitreous opacity, floater disease may require treatment depending on whether it is physiological or pathological. Physiological floaters refer to the observation of floating black shadows in front of eyes when looking at objects or a blue sky. Eye examinations reveal no pathologies, thus no treatment is necessary and there are no specific treatments available. In severe cases, consideration may be given to treatments such as iodamide eye drops or laser therapy. Pathological floaters occur when floaters suddenly appear in one eye, dramatically increase in number, or there are persistent black shadows that even diminish central vision, often associated with retinal vascular rupture, vitreous hemorrhage, or vitritis. It is advisable to seek ophthalmologic care to diagnose the cause and treat accordingly. Common and effective treatments include retinal laser photocoagulation, intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs, or vitrectomy.
What causes floaters in the eyes and what should be done about them?
The occurrence of floaters indicates vitreous opacification, where the vitreous body is affected by the pathological changes of the surrounding tissues, such as degeneration, bleeding, and exudation. This is known as vitreous opacification, also referred to as floaters, characterized by vitreous clouding, liquefaction, and the formation and contraction of fibrous membranes. In general, floaters in elderly people are mostly related to age-associated vitreous liquefaction. For myopic patients, particularly those with high myopia, a sudden onset of floaters or an increase in the number of opacities, accompanied by flashes of light, should raise concerns for potential retinal tears or retinal bleeding. It is essential to seek medical attention promptly and have a retinal examination performed by a doctor for diagnosis. Therefore, if the retinal condition is good and the floaters are merely due to vitreous liquefaction, one should overcome psychological stress and deal with it rationally. If the aforementioned retinal pathologies occur, one should immediately follow the doctor's advice to avoid delaying treatment.
How to maintain health with floaters normally.
Floating specks is a common ophthalmic disease, caused by vitreous opacities. It frequently occurs in patients with high myopia and the middle-aged and elderly, typically due to aging factors that lead to the formation of dot-like or thread-like turbid substances in the originally transparent vitreous tissue. When light passes through the vitreous body and is refracted, projecting onto the retina, it casts these shadows onto the retina as well, causing patients to see floating speck-like shadows in their field of vision. Patients with floating specks should take the following measures for care: First, maintain eye hygiene, do not rub your eyes; rubbing does not alleviate floating specks and may increase the risk of eye infections. Second, eat more iodine-rich foods, such as kelp, to promote the absorption of vitreous opacities.
Can people with high myopia and floaters undergo myopia surgery?
Patients with high myopia who experience floaters can also undergo myopia correction surgery to eliminate nearsightedness. However, symptoms of floaters will not improve after the surgery. The commonly used myopia correction surgeries include laser surgery and the implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens for aphakic eyes. Patients need to visit the ophthalmology department of a hospital for optometry, corneal topography, and A-scan ultrasound examinations. The type of surgery is then determined based on the condition of the eyes. Floaters are caused by the clouding of the vitreous body within the eye due to aging. They can be treated with oral medications to promote absorption. For example, currently, lecithin complex iodine tablets can be taken, but the absorption is slow, requiring patients to adhere to regular treatment. (Please follow the doctor's advice when taking medication.)
Are the floaters in floater eye disease always black?
Floaters generally appear as black, fixed, variously shaped materials floating in front of the eyes, and are more visible in bright light than in dim light. This condition is called physiological vitreous opacity. If the color turns red or brown, it should be considered as vitreous hemorrhage or retinal pathology, and a further eye examination at an ophthalmology department is recommended. This usually indicates pathological vitreous opacity, which can severely affect vision. For physiological vitreous opacities, it is important to rest, reduce close-up activities, and appropriately use some Ametin iodide eye drops. Treatment can generally lead to improvement.
Where to apply moxibustion for floaters?
After developing floaters, it is essential to first visit a hospital for an examination to determine the underlying cause. If there's a serious issue, such as retinal or ciliary body pathological changes, it must be addressed promptly. Some cases of floaters are due to the degeneration of the eyes, which occurs with aging, leading to problems with the vitreous. In such cases, treatments like acupuncture and moxibustion can be beneficial. Moxibustion usually targets acupoints around the eyes. Be careful not to burn the skin. Useful acupoints include the temples, which are located on the outer side of the eyes, and others like Cuanzhu point and Sibai point. More distal points, such as Fengchi at the back of the head, and Hegu on the hand, also benefit the eyes. There's also a beneficial acupoint on the outer side of the lower leg, five cun above the lateral malleolus, called the Guangming point, which is very beneficial for the eyes and can be treated with moxibustion. Additionally, frequent moxibustion at the Jiaji point, located about 0.5 cun (approximately 0.5 to nearly 1 cm) next to the midline of the cervical spine, can also benefit those with floaters.
Does floaters need surgery?
The commonly mentioned "floaters" in ophthalmology refer to the turbidity in the vitreous body of the eyes. In most cases, this phenomenon is normal; it is a normal physiological degenerative change of the vitreal body and generally does not have much impact on vision. In such cases, surgery is not needed. However, if there is a pathological change in the eye, such as bleeding at the base of the eye, and blood flows into the vitreous body, causing turbidity, surgery can be considered if this severely affects vision.