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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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@bobbyo appreciate the update as I'm dealing with floater issues which requires me to see a retina specialist every 3-6 months or as vision changes.
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1 ReactionGood Morning Everyone ---
I have been STRUGGLING with floaters in my right eye for about 3-4 months now. I see them inside/outside and especially using a computer. I have visited my eye doctor and a retinal specialist and have been told my eye is healthy and in good shape. My corrected vison is 20/20. The retina specialist told me if it is still bothering me in a month, we can discuss a floater only vitrectomy. Since onset, they have disrupted my life in the most debilitating way.
My question is... Do you think I should wait longer to see if the problem resolves itself before going the surgical route?
@markymark215 I think you’ve been given good advice. From my experience traditional floaters eventually settle down and the eye and brain accommodates. They may sporadically reappear and dash about in your field of vision with your greater awareness, but the trend over months’ time is toward them bothering less. And they look different than what I experienced as the deteriorating vitreous, which became only worse over time, an ever moving phenomenon that obscured my vision. If it were me, 6-12 months would tell the tale. One clue is if you are exhausted by constantly trying to clear your vision. Another is if you have scary moments with vision when driving, then it’s time to do something. Knowing that a Vitrectomy can fix this if need be can allow you to relax about seeing a bunch of floaters and give your brain some time for accommodation if they’re just garden variety floaters.
Thanks for the reply!
I have a feeling that I will probably have the surgery at some point! I just don’t want to rush into anything!
I must say it is very exhausting trying to get through my day with them. I only have 3-4 just they are huge spanning my entire vision. Meeting with another retina specialist tomorrow!
Also, I’m only 29 years old.
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2 Reactions@markymark215 I am experiencing some of the same but at age 65. Please keep us posted.
Just an update for everyone —
Visited a highly regarded retina specialist for my floater issue and even thought they are effecting my life in a highly negative way (anxiety/depression) I was advised to “learn to live” with the floaters and he doesn’t recommend surgery at my age because of the risks involved. Appreciate his honesty, but feeling really down about the outcome. Hopefully my brain will adapt with time 🙁
At the very least I suggest you get a second opinion
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2 Reactions🤔 Are you willing to say your age? I’m wondering how that enters in. A risk/benefit analysis always needs to be done before embarking on any treatment, but can you imagine an ophthalmologist telling you to just live with a severe cataract? The only difference is that the surgeon can see the cataract but he can’t see what you are experiencing with the deteriorating vitreous. Objective vs subjective evidence. As our population ages, there will be more people experiencing this and I think the patient has a right to understand the risks (retinal detachment) and then balance that against the effect the condition is having on their vision and life. I am ever so grateful to the retinal surgeon who listened to my description of what I was experiencing and said he could help me....having a Vitrectomy was like a miracle. I have since gone back to my ophthalmologist and told her how life changing it was and how frustrating it had been trying to get someone to understand my situation. I wish you luck as you further explore your situation.
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3 ReactionsIt is challenging to try to describe all the different types of floaters each person experiences: specs, little circles, squiggly lines, bugs, flies, butterflies, flags, veils etc. Some are dark/black and some are lighter. Some are big and some small.
My worst floaters were a bunch of very small floaters (75 or so tiny circles) that covered a considerable area both vertically and laterally and, consistently, passed through my vision field. Driving became maddening and scary so I had my FOV done December 3. I’ve updated results in this group periodically.
As Susan said, it makes sense to allow time for your recent onset of a few floaters to settle and/or for you to neuroadapt to them. Essentially, your mind may be able to “blow them off”, so to speak, after a while. I’m 62, so you, being 29, have plenty of different considerations in how to best treat this condition. Good luck with your retinal specialist!
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2 Reactions@markymark215 A couple more thoughts to add to my previous comments...I think I was 72 when I had my surgeries. Also, a vision test doesn’t prove much when analyzing the severity of this condition. I would sit in the chair looking at that chart, blinking and moving my eyes and head, taking a moment, trying to clear away the “floaters” so I could see to read the chart. And then they’d tell me my vision was good. Just remembering those days raises my level of frustration! Take care.