Floaters in the premacular bursa are easily removed by vitrectomy (FOV). Floaters located in the premacular bursa are a concern only for those using the YAG laser for removal of the floaters.
YAG Laser is Cuts Tissue
The energy in the YAG laser is used to cut tissue inside the eye. It is most commonly used for an “after cataract” for patients who have an intraocular implant. The YAG “cuts” a hole in an cloudy tissue which holds the normally clear intraocular implant.
While other types of laser can deliver heat energy, the YAG cuts tissue in short bursts of power. These bursts cause the tissue to jolt or snap.
Floaters in the Premacular Bursa
The premacular bursa is the part of the vitreous cavity just in front of the macula. It is that vitreous just in front or above the surface of the macula.
Often there are said to be floaters located just in front of the macula.
The concern with the YAG laser is the potential for the YAG to directly damage the retina. Focusing the power of the laser so close to the retinal surface when treating a floater may cut the retina and damage the macula due to its close proximity to “targets” lying just in front of the macula.
Vitrectomy Uses Vacuum
A vitrectomy instrument safely cuts away the vitreous by a combination of high-speed cutting and aspiration.
At the end of the vitrectomy instrument is a small hole, or port. A vacuum creates suction. Tiny bits of vitreous are sucked into the port. As soon as the vitreous gets aspirated into the port, it is cut away.
This process occurs thousands of times per minute.
Vitrectomy cutters can remove floaters anywhere in the vitreous. Those near the retinal surface can be “aspirated” away very similar to the way a vacuum cleans the floor without actually touching the surface of the floor.
The rapid cutting action makes it very difficult to cause inadvertent tears in the retina.
Randy
Randall V. Wong, M.D.
Retina Specialist
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
www.VitrectomyForFloaters.com