Board-certified ophthalmologist providing prompt evaluation of eye floaters and flashes in Roslyn Heights, Nassau County, and the North Shore of Long Island.
Eye floaters are small spots, lines, or cobweb-like shapes that appear to drift across the field of vision. They are often caused by natural age-related changes in the vitreous gel inside the eye and are common in adults. While many floaters are harmless, sudden changes in floaters or the appearance of flashing lights can signal a more serious retinal condition.
At Politi Eyecare & Aesthetics, patients experiencing floaters or flashes receive a thorough, medical eye evaluation to determine the underlying cause. A comprehensive retinal examination is performed to rule out conditions such as retinal tears, retinal detachment, or vitreous hemorrhage, which may require urgent treatment.
Timely evaluation is especially important if floaters appear suddenly, increase rapidly, or are accompanied by flashes of light, blurred vision, or a shadow or curtain in the peripheral vision.
When to Seek Urgent Evaluation for Floaters
Patients should seek prompt eye care if they experience:
- A sudden onset or increase in floaters
- Flashes of light in one or both eyes
- A dark shadow, curtain, or loss of peripheral vision
- Blurred or distorted vision
These symptoms may indicate a retinal tear or detachment and require immediate evaluation.
Causes of Eye Floaters
Common causes of floaters include:
- Age-related vitreous changes
- Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD)
- Nearsightedness
- Eye trauma or inflammation
- Retinal tears or bleeding
A detailed eye examination is necessary to determine the cause and appropriate management.
Laser Treatment for Eye Floaters (Vitreolysis)
Laser vitreolysis is a non-surgical treatment option for select patients with visually significant eye floaters. This procedure uses targeted laser energy to break up or vaporize certain vitreous opacities, reducing their impact on vision.
At Politi Eyecare & Aesthetics, laser vitreolysis is performed using advanced ophthalmic laser technology following a comprehensive retinal and vitreous evaluation. Not all floaters are suitable for laser treatment, and careful patient selection is essential to ensure safety and appropriate outcomes.
Candidates for vitreolysis typically have stable, well-defined floaters that are located safely away from the retina and lens. The goal of treatment is to reduce floater-related visual disturbance and improve quality of vision, rather than eliminate floaters entirely.
Laser vitreolysis is offered only after thorough examination to rule out retinal tears, detachment, or other underlying retinal conditions that may require alternative treatment or monitoring.