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Wondering if anyone has had an FOV, Floaters Only Vitrectomy
I am wondering if anyone has had an FOV, Floaters Only Vitrectomy, and would be willing to share their experiences. For at least two years I was plagued with the constant irritating presence of gauzy, wispy, moving clumps that would obscure my vision and make reading and driving a tiring challenge. Prior to this I had had cataract surgery and a lens exchange surgery. Many, many follow up appointments and a second opinion did not pinpoint a reason for my continuing complaints. Although I did not complain of dry eyes, I was led to believe that was my issue and was treated with Xiidra and then Restasis and then even both at the same time, with no improvement in my symptoms. Finally a follow up appointment with a new ophthalmologist in the practice and my description of what I was seeing led to a diagnosis of a degenerating vitreous and a referral to a vitreal surgeon. Last week I had a vitrectomy to remove the vitreous. Despite the after effects of the surgery, the next day when the eye patch and bandages came off, I could immediately tell that my vision in that eye had cleared. It has been such a relief! I am hoping my recovery is uneventful and am now anticipating following up with the surgeon to schedule the procedure on my other eye. Has anyone experienced a situation similar to mine? Why would my problem not be recognized and diagnosed sooner? I have wondered if I simply was not able to describe my symptoms well enough or if ophthalmologists tend not to recognize or acknowledge how debilitating the condition can be. I understand that over time and with age the vitreous does degenerate for all people. Do only a few people experience what I did during that process or are there many people experiencing it’s deleterious effects on their vision and are just living with it, or as in my case, are not able to get a diagnosis from their eye care providers? I should add that I am in my early 70s and was extremely nearsighted my entire life. Anyone out there experience what I did?
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Susan, et al. My ophthalmologist called my floaters, “vitreous debris”. He stressed that surgery is dangerous and he didn’t recommend it! It never dropped
like he thought it would. The football shaped debris never dropped and blocks two letters of every word I read. It’s in the left eye and so annoying! I don’t
know how the “bubble” works to eradicate the vitreous debris. Is there any other method to remove or move it or cause it to drop below my sight line. Moo1
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2 ReactionsI went to a specialist that has done many of these. It was similar to cataract surgery or lassie (I've had both). It was relatively easy, about 10 days of no heavy lifting and using drops. The eye healed great and I can see better than ever! Now I want the other eye done. I had no idea just how bad it had gotten. I have struggled for years.
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2 ReactionsThe bubble is seen as the eye is filling back up with tears, the gas that has replaced the old dirty vitreous, slowly dissipates. It last about a week to two. So worth it.
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3 ReactionsHow long has it been since your surgery? It took awhile but my one piece of debris in one eye has settled. It does occasionally pop up and is irritating but then disappears again. It is a good reminder of his bad things were before the surgery.
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1 ReactionI had mine the middle of March. I went today for a followup and we talked about doing the other eye in June.
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1 ReactionTwo months out and I gotta say I am so glad I did this. Amazing. I knew I had a lot of floaters but had always been told I had to live with it. I am 60 yrs old and had a few major falls in the last 10 years. (8 feet off a cliff!) All of that contributed. If you can get yours fixed, do it. I have clear vision. Bubble disappeared within a two week period and seeing very clear!
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3 ReactionsIf I understand you correctly, you are having issues with a significant floater—that you have not had any surgery, i.e. Vitrectomy, and that your ophthalmologist has discouraged such surgery. My first question would be how long you’ve had this? If you’ve given it time to settle down and it is still affecting your vision, if I were you, I would request a referral to a VitreoRetinal specialist. It took a long time for my ophthalmologist to recognize what I was complaining about. In fact it wasn’t until I saw his partner that I got a referral to a specialist. She told me they couldn’t help me but would refer me. Your local ophthalmologist doesn’t have to be the end of the line for you.
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4 ReactionsSusan, thanks for your reply! I’ve had the clump of “floater debris” for several years. It never dropped from it’s current location.
I did have cataract surgery 3 or 4 years ago with success, but the floater didn’t budge My surgeon had hoped it would drop,
But sadly it didn't! Thanks for the advice from you and others who replied! After this Covid19 Crisis, I will pursue the right path
to get help!
Moo1
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2 ReactionsGo get another opinion, my cataract surgeon referred me but some doctors don't listen or really look!
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2 ReactionsLike to know more. Doc's in Albuquerque didnt have any treatment for me.
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