Floaters
Retina Specialists of Colorado
Retina Specialists located in Aurora, CO, Denver, CO, Littleton, CO, Arvada, CO & Centennial, CO.
If you have small dots or squiggly lines in your vision that are difficult to focus on, these are what’s known as floaters. The development of floaters is natural, but they may also indicate a larger problem. At Retina Specialists of Colorado, Dr. Ross Chod and Dr. Michael Jansen help identify the underlying source of your floaters and eradicate problematic ones that are interfering with your vision. If you’re in Aurora, CO, Denver, CO, Littleton, CO, Arvada, CO or Centennial CO, call the office or use the online scheduler to learn more.
Floaters Q & A
What are floaters?
Floaters are an aptly-named condition in which small spots or tiny cobweb-like structures appear in your vision. Floaters often develop as you age as your vitreous, which is the gel-like substance that makes up 80% of your eye, naturally becomes more liquid, allowing tiny fibers to clump together, creating shadows in your retina, which you see as floaters.
What causes floaters?
The development of floaters in your vision is completely natural and not necessarily cause for alarm. However, if you have an underlying condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, the appearance of floaters bears close monitoring under the watchful eye of Dr. Ross Chod and Dr. Michael Jansen.
As well, if your floaters appear suddenly, and they’re accompanied by flashes of light or a loss in your peripheral vision, there could be a larger problem at play, such as leaking blood vessels or swelling inside your eye that’s compromising your retinal health. A retinal tear or detachment, for example, is often accompanied by a sudden increase in floaters, and these conditions require that you see Dr. Ross Chod or Dr. Michael Jansen immediately.
Ultimately, you know your eyes best, and if there’s a sudden increase in floaters or your floaters are beginning to interfere with your vision, it’s best to get in to see Dr. Ross Chod or Dr. Michael Jansen for a full evaluation.
How are floaters treated?
After an examination of your eyes, Dr. Ross Chod and Dr. Michael Jansen determine what’s causing your floaters and come up with a treatment plan that best suits your situation and addresses the root cause of the problem.
In some cases, Dr. Ross Chod and Dr. Michael Jansen may recommend surgical removal of your floaters with a vitrectomy. With a vitrectomy, he removes your vitreous and replaces it with another substance to maintain the shape of your eye.
In choosing the right treatment for your situation, Dr. Ross Chod and Dr. Michael Jansen take into account your medical history and your goals in order to come up with the best solution.
If you have a sudden increase in floaters or floaters that are disturbing your vision in appreciable ways, call Retina Specialists of Colorado or use the online scheduling tool to request an appointment.