When dark spots, threads, or cobweb-like shapes drift across your vision (also known as floaters) they can significantly impact your daily life and vision. YAG vitreolysis is a laser treatment that can offer relief from bothersome floaters without the need for invasive surgery.
Floaters develop when the vitreous humor, which is the clear gel that fills the inner eye, undergoes age-related changes or develops irregularities. While most floaters are harmless and simply an annoyance, some can become large enough or positioned in such a way that they significantly obstruct your vision.
The vitreous gel naturally changes as you age, transitioning from a thicker consistency when you’re young to a more liquid state over time. During this process, clumps can form in the vitreous, creating shadows on the retina that appear as floaters in your field of vision. These shadows move as your eyes move, often seeming to dart away when you try to look directly at them.
Before beginning YAG laser vitreolysis, your eye doctor at Eye Physicians of Long Beach will conduct a comprehensive eye exam to map the location and size of each floater. They do this so that they can ensure that only appropriate candidates receive treatment and that the treatment can be as effective as possible.
During the procedure, you will sit comfortably in front of the machine while your eye doctor uses a specialized contact lens to focus the YAG laser beam. This process will feel very similar to what happens during your routine eye exams.
You may experience some brief flashes of light during the laser part of the treatment. No anesthesia is required, though numbing drops may be used for comfort.
The YAG laser delivers nanosecond pulses of energy that disrupt the floater structure. During this, your eye doctor will be carefully monitoring the treatment in real-time, adjusting the laser as needed to achieve the best results while ensuring the treatment is safe.
Following the treatment, patients may notice small, temporary spots in their vision as disrupted floater fragments settle. These typically clear within hours to days as the eye’s natural processes remove these spots.
Some patients experience immediate improvement, while others notice gradual improvement over several weeks.
Not everyone with floaters is a good fit for YAG vitreolysis treatment, so careful evaluation is essential for the best results. The retinal specialists at Eye Physicians of Long Beach looks at several important factors when deciding if this treatment is right for you, including how big your floaters are, where they’re located, how dense they are, and how close they are to certain parts of your eye.
The best candidates have large, clearly visible floaters positioned in the center of the eye’s gel-like filling, and far enough away from the retina and the lens. Patients also need to have realistic expectations about what the treatment can accomplish and understand that we may not be able to completely eliminate all floaters.
During the evaluation, your eye doctor will thoroughly examine your eyes with dilating drops. Then, they will create detailed mapping of where your floaters are and discuss other possible treatment options that may be available to you.
Some patients do better with simply monitoring their floaters over time, while others might need a more involved surgical procedure. Eye Physicians of Long Beach makes sure each patient gets treatment recommendations tailored to their unique situation.
If bothersome floaters are affecting your quality of life, YAG vitreolysis may offer the relief you’ve been seeking. The first step involves scheduling a detailed consultation to assess your specific situation and determine whether YAG vitreolysis is appropriate for your needs.
Do you want to learn if YAG laser vitreolysis might be able to help reduce your bothersome floaters? Schedule an appointment at Eye Physicians of Long Beach in Long Beach, CA, today!
