Wondering if anyone has had an FOV, Floaters Only Vitrectomy

<p>Vitreomacular Traction</p><p>I was diagnosed with vitreomacular traction 2 months ago. It has affected my vision, distorting a small area of my left eye. I may need surgery and was wondering if anyone has had the surgery to repair this. I was told it may resolve but I think it may be getting worse</p>

@kathyoung You will see that I have moved your question into a discussion where members are currently discussing Vitrectomy, as it relates to Vitreomacular Tractionas. I did this so you could more quickly connect and get support. You will notice members like @susan2018 @bobbyo @ellen307 @dragl1959 have experience with this topic and may be a good resource for you. I also encourage you to scroll back through the comments to find previously shared suggestions.

Below I have linked another previous discussion regarding treatment that you may find informative.
- What was your treatment plan for a vitreous hemorrhage? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-was-your-treatment-plan-for-a-vitreous-hemorrhage/

May I ask if your provider told you it would resolve and if so, how long ago that was?

Thank you for your reply and for forwarding the appropriate links.

My retina specialist said there was a possibility it would resolve but he wanted to check it in three months,
which is coming up in February. If it is worse he told me it would mean surgery

I had a colon resection in late September (which is how I learned of this site - thank God!), so I am
not looking forward to any more surgery!

Thanks again for your prompt reply. I find this Mayo Clinic site Invaluable!

Thank you Colleen! You just informed me about that question I asked you in private messaging.. I'm going to respond future here before reading the links you included. A part of me is hoping that this field, this group, this process has a specific name/identity. I ask Doc F if she ever heard.of such a group, she had not but suggested that I sign back into “ connects “ after being absent far too long but as my vision worsened a question arose for ne if straining to see while typing with one finger was making matters worse. I did miss having my “ connection “. Buddies and a place were
It’s been comfortable to ask and propose ideas.

I will read those links however if you know someone or a specific source for exploring more deeply I will very much appreciate your help. You have been exceptional in your job as a director. Mayo needs a placket with your name and face on it. I would pay homage to it every time I would be at the facility. From me to ALL OF YOU DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS!
You inspire me to do the same thing; to volunteer to help those of u seeking help. I wish I could do more for you and ALL OF YOU. You are The Best Colleen!

Hi Susan and all,
Once again my vision went from miraculously better to disastrously horrific. When the doctors can't figure things out its very comfortable for them to say things like: “ your vision problems are all in your head “

I often feel like they ( Doctors or other know-it-all's ) hit me between the eyes with a 2x4 and it triggers horrible depression and stress. When I found your post I felt as if “ I am not the only one “ that said the differences between my condition(s) also often lead to a puzzlement about “ the lights “

In a way I feel like I'm back at the beginning of the search for answers but more specifically a doctor ( expert ) who says “ you're not crazy “ you need a full specific work up because as that doctors told me years ago” we know that you have cataracts but we don't know what else you have”
.
The day of my covid shit I was so bad I shouldn't have been driving. 15 minutes after the shot my vision improved so I could at least read signs. The next day it got worse and the day after that I really thought I was going blind.

I called the VA and got brow beat for 15 minutes until I couldn't talk and my ears were ringing.

By accident I spoke with an eye tech who told me that I wasn't losing my mind and she sent me some info.

I can't repost it all here now but I copied JUST ONE OF MANY POSSIBLE DISORDERS””

Here it is:
Entoptic Phenomenon

Entoptic phenomenon is a normal phenomenon that some people may become suddenly aware of. This sudden awareness may lead to the idea that there is a problem with the eyes, when actually there is not. The entoptic phenomenon can be seen especially when looking at a bright blue sky. Small, rapid pin-point sparks of light can be seen darting about in the central vision. Some people may think that these sparks are floaters. In reality, they may represent white blood cells moving through the blood capillaries of the retina. This is a normal finding, and actually indicate normal retinal function..

There are EXACTLY one of the “ LIGHTS” that I see.

I called her back and she asked me to identify and copy and paste them all in an email and send them to her.

Next thing is to find someone who will listen to ALL of these disorders and figure out what is next.

I hope this might help someone

Reading many of these posts give me hope. I have been struggling with the obstructions in my eyes for 3 years with no help from ophthalmologists. Now I'm looking for a Dr. who isn't afraid to do an FOV. I live in the Tampa, Fl. area, and wondering if any one .has a recommendation.

@wjflier Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.

Three years is a long time to struggle with no treatment. You are wanting to connect with members that may have a suggestion of providers for FOV. Members like @stuckonu @kathyoung @bobbyo @mazeppabob @moo1 have discussed this topic in the past and may have suggestions.

May I ask if you had a chance to read all of the posts in this discussion? There are many pages.

Thank you!

You need to see a VitreoRetinal Surgeon rather than the ophthalmologists we routinely see.

Hi All, Not sure I’m doing this correctly, but I’m replying here to my own post on January 1, 2021 to continue a journal of my recovery from FOV surgery of 12/3/20.

Update as of today, 2/16/21: Ok, I’m 2 1/2 months out from my surgery and my sight in the operated eye is very similar to what it was just after surgery. I continue to have 5+ smaller floaters but the most the predominant are “spec-size.” They do fly into my field of vision regularly, but can be ignored pretty easily. The key point is that these remaining floaters are NOTHING LIKE my pre-FOV “flag-like”obstruction (my surgeon called it a large “veil” floater). Right now, I rate the success of my surgery at about a 7.5 out of 10. If there were NO floaters remaining, I’d probably rate it a 9 or 10. By the way, the surgeon, as recently as 2 weeks ago, still is saying that he expects the remaining floaters to “settle” so that I end up with -0- I’m not confident that will happen, but I will, surely, let all know if it does.

Other left eye problems: Ever since I had cataract surgery in December 2019, I have “light streaks” when looking at a light either peripherally or upward. I believe it is a positive dysphotopsia that, may well have been caused by the use of square-edged IOL (interocular lens) used in that cataract surgery. I’m dealing with it as the only, possible, remedy for this problem would be replacement of IOL!

A couple other of MY notes/observations:
- local optometrists, generally, don’t seem to be in favor of FOVs (Floaters Only Vitrectomys). However, my Vitreoretinal surgeon told me he’s done hundreds and has been doing, as many as, 1-2 per week recently.
- Check out Dr Jerry Sebag of VMR Institute online for discussion of FOV diagnostic tools and considerations.
- Eye doctors (ophthalmologists and optometrists) do not seem inclined to educate me on my eye problems. Much-used terms I found and researched on-line for the eye anatomy and for eye conditions I have (like “dysphotopsia” - I mentioned above) were not used by my doctors until I asked about them.

All the above are only MY experiences and some opinions, for what they are worth. Hope they are of help to some of you!