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Survey of Ophthalmology 2016Vitreous is a hydrated extracellular matrix comprised primarily of water, collagens, and hyaluronan organized into a homogeneously transparent gel. Gel liquefaction... (Review)
Review
Vitreous is a hydrated extracellular matrix comprised primarily of water, collagens, and hyaluronan organized into a homogeneously transparent gel. Gel liquefaction results from molecular alterations with dissociation of collagen from hyaluronan and aggregation of collagen fibrils forming fibers that cause light scattering and hence symptomatic floaters, especially in myopia. With aging, gel liquefaction and weakened vitreoretinal adhesion result in posterior vitreous detachment, the most common cause of primary symptomatic floaters arising from the dense collagen matrix of the posterior vitreous cortex. Recent studies indicate that symptomatic floaters are not only more prevalent, but also have a negative impact on the quality of life that is greater than previously appreciated. We review the literature concerning management of symptomatic vitreous floaters, currently either with observation, vitrectomy, or Nd:YAG laser. Published evidence is consistent with a low-risk profile and excellent success rate for floater vitrectomy, particularly with sutureless small gauge instruments and a limited core vitrectomy without PVD induction. Nd:YAG laser treatment of floaters, reported less commonly, claims resolution of floaters ranging between 0% and 100%; however, both peer-reviewed literature and assertions on web-based nonpeer-reviewed laser vitreolysis sites remain to be substantiated, and at present only vitrectomy has proven value. Prospective studies using objective, quantitative outcome measures are required to assess the relative efficacy and safety of these two procedures as well as new therapies such as pharmacologic vitreolysis.
Topics: Eye Diseases; Humans; Laser Therapy; Lasers, Solid-State; Observation; Vitrectomy; Vitreous Body
PubMed: 26679984
DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2015.11.008 -
Comprehensive Ophthalmology Update 2006Floaters are a common presenting ophthalmic symptom that may accompany sight-threatening disorders. In most cases, they are often secondary to benign, degenerative... (Review)
Review
Floaters are a common presenting ophthalmic symptom that may accompany sight-threatening disorders. In most cases, they are often secondary to benign, degenerative changes in the vitreous. In this review, we briefly examine the anatomy of the vitreous and describe how degenerative vitreous change contributes to the development of floaters. The causality of floaters in the presence and absence of a posterior vitreous detachment is reviewed, as is the clinical significance of these symptoms and signs in relation to their predictive value for determining the presence of sight-threatening retinal tears and/or detachment. Finally, a brief review of management options for debilitating floaters is presented.
Topics: Diagnosis, Differential; Eye Diseases; Humans; Vitrectomy; Vitreous Body
PubMed: 17007730
DOI: No ID Found -
Der Ophthalmologe : Zeitschrift Der... May 2020Degenerative vitreous opacities (also known as myodesopsia) can cause permanent and relevant visual impairment. Neodymium-YAG laser vitreolysis is an alternative...
Degenerative vitreous opacities (also known as myodesopsia) can cause permanent and relevant visual impairment. Neodymium-YAG laser vitreolysis is an alternative treatment option to pars plana vitrectomy for the treatment of disturbing degenerative vitreous opacities. This article critically discusses the different causes of vitreous opacities, the symptoms and functional impairments as well as clinical patient management. The aim is to support patient-oriented care and counselling of patients with vitreous opacities.
Topics: Eye Diseases; Humans; Laser Therapy; Lasers, Solid-State; Vision Disorders; Vitrectomy; Vitreous Body
PubMed: 32291480
DOI: 10.1007/s00347-020-01094-6 -
Survey of Ophthalmology 2023Seeking treatment for bothersome vitreous floaters is patient driven. To measure the impact of floaters and treatment on an individual's quality of life,... (Review)
Review
Seeking treatment for bothersome vitreous floaters is patient driven. To measure the impact of floaters and treatment on an individual's quality of life, patient-reported outcome measurements (PROMs) are essential. We review all studies using a PROM for patients with floaters. We evaluated content coverage against quality-of-life domains previously identified in other ophthalmic disorders, and against a qualitative study investigating quality-of-life issues in patients with floaters. We assessed measurement properties of PROMs using an extensive range of psychometric quality criteria. We identified 59 studies using 28 different PROMs. Many PROMs were not specifically developed for patients with floaters. Floater-specific PROMs were mostly based on content validation from an ophthalmologist or researcher perspective; two included a patient perspective. Using the outcomes of the qualitative study, we found that the floater-specific PROMs were narrow in their content coverage, with most items relating to visual symptoms and activity limitations. Testing the psychometric quality of PROMs was rare, and when employed mostly limited to responsiveness and known group validity. The remarkable high number of floater-specific PROMs reveals a need for such measurements in ophthalmology. Unfortunately, reporting on psychometric quality is limited, and content development is most often done without patient involvement.
PubMed: 37315741
DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2023.06.003 -
International Ophthalmology Clinics Jul 2022
Review
Topics: Eye Diseases; Humans; Vitrectomy; Vitreous Body
PubMed: 35752891
DOI: 10.1097/IIO.0000000000000433 -
Bioelectromagnetics Feb 2022Vitreous "floaters" are a common entoptic phenomenon that can result in significant reduction in quality of life in a proportion of sufferers. The authors use a...
Vitreous "floaters" are a common entoptic phenomenon that can result in significant reduction in quality of life in a proportion of sufferers. The authors use a computational mathematical model based on Fourier optics and reflection and transmission coefficients calculated for a planar type II collagen opacity suspended in aqueous to show that floaters are perceived by the patient through interference effects that result in significant variations in intensity on the retina when viewing a constant brightness surface. The model also predicts that backscattered intensity from floaters is ten thousand to one million times lower than the variations in intensity produced on the retina, which demonstrates that the visible effects of floaters for the patient can be highly significant, whereas clinical observation of the vitreous may be entirely unremarkable. Importantly, the results also demonstrate that floaters do not need to be opaque to cause symptoms, with only small differences in refractive index between the floater material and the surrounding vitreous needed to produce significant optical effects. The model predicts that pupil size is an important factor in determining the severity of symptoms from floaters, with constricted pupils giving much greater effect than dilated pupils. Finally, the authors' model predicts that floaters degrade contrast sensitivity function, with greatest degradation occurring in the 5-40 cycles per degree spatial frequency range and that the effects of shadowing caused by floaters are very strongly correlated to the predicted degradation of contrast sensitivity function. Bioelectromagnetics. 43:90-105, 2022. © 2021 The Authors. Bioelectromagnetics published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Bioelectromagnetics Society.
Topics: Eye Diseases; Humans; Quality of Life; Retina; Vitreous Body
PubMed: 34969150
DOI: 10.1002/bem.22386 -
Current Opinion in Ophthalmology May 2015To review the pros and cons of small-gauge vitrectomy for symptomatic floaters. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
To review the pros and cons of small-gauge vitrectomy for symptomatic floaters.
RECENT FINDINGS
Current treatment options for floaters include Nd:YAG vitreolysis and pars plana vitrectomy. There are risks and benefits associated with vitrectomy for floaters. However, small-gauge vitrectomy is a minimally invasive way of removing the floaters. The current literature demonstrates vitrectomy has some risk, but is highly effective at improving vision, symptoms, contrast sensitivity, and quality of life.
SUMMARY
Small-gauge vitrectomy for floaters is a well tolerated and effective procedure to remove the symptomatic floaters. Symptomatic patients are willing to take some risk to have their troublesome vitreous floaters removed, often resulting in an improvement in their vision and quality of life.
Topics: Eye Diseases; Humans; Microsurgery; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; Risk Assessment; Vitrectomy; Vitreous Body
PubMed: 25784107
DOI: 10.1097/ICU.0000000000000150 -
Ophthalmology Nov 1983The vitreous changes in 148 eyes with sudden onset of floaters were evaluated biomicroscopically and documented photographically using an El Bayadi-Kajiura aspherical...
The vitreous changes in 148 eyes with sudden onset of floaters were evaluated biomicroscopically and documented photographically using an El Bayadi-Kajiura aspherical preset lens mounted on a photo slit lamp. Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) was found in 83% of the eyes. In those eyes, the primary causes of floaters were prepapillary glial tissue on the posterior hyaloid membrane and minimal vitreous hemorrhage. In eyes with no PVD, intravitreous fiber-like opacities corresponding to the patient's symptoms were present in the posterior vitreous cavity near the retina. These opacities were found on the plicated membranes of Cloquet's canal, or were associated with liquefaction of the gel. The symptoms of patients 50 years of age or older were related to the acute onset of PVD in 95% of the cases. The complaint of multiple small floaters was frequently associated with vitreous hemorrhage and retinal breaks.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Eye Diseases; Female; Hemorrhage; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Photography; Retinal Perforations; Vitreous Body
PubMed: 6664665
DOI: 10.1016/s0161-6420(83)34392-x -
Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.) 2023To evaluate the use of dynamic infrared (IR) imaging as a tool for the objective evaluation of symptomatic vitreous floaters and to correlate it with the patient...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of dynamic infrared (IR) imaging as a tool for the objective evaluation of symptomatic vitreous floaters and to correlate it with the patient symptomatology.
STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS
Retrospective study that examined 66 eyes of 44 patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic vitreous opacities. Patients were imaged using the Heidelberg Spectralis dynamic infrared (IR) image in video mode to record the vitreous movements and shadow artifacts within 30 degrees of the center of the macula. Patients were also asked how symptomatic their vitreous floaters were from absent to severe. After reviewing IR videos and OCT, a grading system was created to evaluate the floaters and a masked reader was asked to evaluate the videos and OCT based on the grading system created.
RESULTS
A total of 66 eyes were identified and examined with the IR videos, 50 were symptomatic, and 16 were asymptomatic. After masked review and analysis of the IR videos, there were 4 characteristics that correlated with the patient's symptoms: size, location, movement, and density of obscuration of the OCT B Scan by the vitreous opacity. A table with grading of these characteristics was created to analyze how symptomatic patients were. A masked grader was asked to grade the videos and OCT using the grading system created. A positive correlation was found between the masked grader and the symptoms of patients. (0.70039; p < 0.00001).
CONCLUSION
Dynamic IR video capture of vitreous opacities is a new imaging technique that can qualitatively assess vitreous opacities in a way that correlates to a patient's symptoms. This imaging modality can provide a qualitative assessment of the patient's severity of symptoms based on the location, density, and movement of the visualized vitreous opacities in the imaged video.
PubMed: 37089579
DOI: 10.2147/OPTH.S399684