Do you have a question you’d like to ask?
If you are comfortable, please ask your question down below. I’ll answer as soon as I can.
Your question is probably shared by others and, in this way, we can share the answers.
Some questions may be copied from direct emails I receive and thus names have been deleted.
All the best!
Randy
Good morning.
I’m still considering getting a virectomy. When you examine potential patients do you know if some people are better candidates than others? How much lead time is involved between when I decide to have it done, and when the actual surgery is? Thanks Doctor.
“TC”
Dear TC,
Thanks for your email.
I do feel that certain patients are better candidates than others. For instance, it is easier to remove more vitreous in a patient who has had a PVD.
Other patients may not have realistic expectations from the surgery and expect guaranteed results.
Also, in most cases, patients do well if there is no evidence of eye disease causing the floaters.
We are usually able to schedule surgery within a few weeks time.
Hope this helps!
Randy
I am a very healthy 52 yr old considering a vitrectomy. Diagnosed with bilateral floaters, posterior vitreous degeneration, vitreous opacities, & retinoschisis. Floaters are annoying but the flashing from traction/pulling where still attached is what bothers me most. Could I be a candidate for surgery? Would you induce a full pvd then do fov? Last (but huge!) concern….anesthesia (not just being sleepy or given some valium) is the ONLY way I would consider surgery (I’d need the valium just to get me to the surgical center, lol – BIG baby). Does insurance usually cover that?
Thanks for your valuable time!
PC,
I’d have to examine you, but you indeed might be a candidate for vitrectomy. Sounds like you already have a PVD and wouldn’t need to induce a PVD. We can discuss your anesthesia options – usually not a problem. Check with your particular insurance or email Chrissy (rwongcm13@gmail.com) if you need more information.
All the best,
Randy
Hello! I am 58 and had cataract surgery aprox. 3.5 years ago, Dr. Marc Sanders @ Univ. of Houston. Crystalens in both. Followed up with a Yag aprox 2 years ago. Floaters! Called and emailed for help to no avail. So sad!
I am a former English teacher…avid reader!,Master Naturalist…love love love the outdoors, jogger, hiker, and travel alot. No known eye probs other than was a Flonase user for years and had early cataracts. Never wore glasses.
One eye seems worse than the other with a large floater, and smaller stuff. Any hope for me? I am so heartbroken about this..Thank you
J Wilson
Jeannie,
So sorry for the long delay. I get a little disorganized with emails and questions located in so many places. I’m sure I can help.
I am hosting a webinar on 12/20. Hope you can join and listen to others’ stories and ask some questions.
You can Register Here!
Hope you can make it!
All the best. Look forward to meeting you.
Randy
Dr. Wong,
I had a Vitrectomy three weeks ago [right eye] to repair torn/detached retina. (not sure which). This was because the original pneumatic retinopexy fixed the original problem, but did not prevent new tears, which occurred. Right now I can see light, shapes, colors, and movement, but no detail. A couple of questions: 1) Does the saline my body produces, replace the gas bubble (perfluropropane, i think; 6-8 weeks to dissolve) at the same rate that the bubble dissolves? [curiosity question]. 2) Will there ever be a time where the C3F8 is gone, but there is not enough saline to fill the cavity, and will that affect my site? 3) When I had the first procedure, i went from no vision (before), to mostly vision[immediately], except for black spot (bubble) which got smaller; will a similar thing happen, at some point, where I can start to see, before the bubble is totally gone? at about 50% gone? I will see my doctor in a week, and I can ask him these questions, but waiting 7 more days is about to make me crazy. Thank you so much for your time or if there is a URL that explains the post-surgery recovery, that would be very helpful.
John,
Sorry, I goofed. By now, the gas should have resolved and hopefully you’ve remained attached. I apologize in the long delay, it’s hard to keep up with all queries on different platforms. I’m hopeful to start a forum soon, that’ll be a more centralized place to keep questions.
All the best,
Randy
Dear Dr. Wong. I am 39 year old man. I have normal eyes, but with floaters. Which increased much in quantity about 1.5 years ago. I have no PVD. During last year I had about 10 procedures of laser vitreolysis which removed many visible floaters. Now I have about 10 floaters in both eyes which are bothering me. 3-4 are placed close to retina. Others ones are on periferal area and flying to visible zone when eyes are moving. Laser specialist can not remove these floaters due to theirs specific position laser. But he see them well and identify. My question is about possibility of removing only these visible floaters from eye with keeping of vitreois gel and without producing PVD. My willing is only for making procedure safer for my eyes, for minimysing of possible risks caused oby removing of whole vitreous gel.
Thank you much for your attention.
Mars.
Mars,
I usually prefer to induce a PVD, but we can discuss at the time of any eventual visit.
Join us for an upcoming webinar? Here’s the link to register.
All the best,
Randy
Hello Dr. Wong,
Diagnosed with a PVD in my right eye 4 weeks ago by opthamologist. One large annoying dark floater which continues to exhibit more movement seemingly on a daily basis. How long should I wait to consider FOV ?
I’d wait a few months? Depends upon your own tolerance, but I think several months is wise.
Randy
Thank you ! I can wait that long
Hi Dr Wong
Do you typically remove the vitreous right behind the lense? Are there usually floaters in that portion of the vitreous? Does leaving some vitreous there lessen the chance of cataracts?
Are there natural benefits of the vitreous one gives up when replacing the vitreous with a saline solution?
I have floaters in both eyes. What minimum length of time do you recommend between victrectomys if I were to elect to have it done in both eyes?
Thanks.
I typically do probably leave some vitreous on the back of the lens. I don’t know if others are right about it influencing cataract formation or not. In my opinion, it’s pretty hard to remove all the vitreous off the back of the lens.
The vitreous really has no function once we are born. It is an important factor during our development, but once we are born really no particular proven function…other than plugging severe cuts into the eye.
Hope this helps! Thanks for commenting.
-Randy
I have floaters in both eyes. What minimum length of time do you recommend between victrectomys if I were to elect to have it done in both eyes?
Phill,
I prefer to wait several month between eyes.
Thanks!
Randy
Our next webinar is this Monday 10/30. Register here.
Dear Dr. Wong
I had a vitrectomy to remove a large number of floaters about 3 years ago. Until recently all has been well with the eye except for the occasional small non bothersome
spot. Now I have 4-5 large floaters that are new and just appeared. Is it normal for new
floaters to appear so long after surgery? I had the eye checked and was told the retina is fine. I am planning on a second procedure to resolve these but I am confused as to where they came from. I assume it is a result of residual vitreous left over after the surgery.
Ryan,
Sorry for the ridiculous delay.
The floaters may be from leftover vitreous which was not removed.
Hope you are well.
Randy
Can floaters cause glare and starbursts. I see starburst at night from oncoming car headlights and during the day from the sun’s reflection of shiny services. Been to may eye docs and none have helped. Normal HOAs, etc…
In general, floaters can cause glare and starbursts. I’d have to examine you to say for sure, but I have had patients who have had similar complaints.
Our next webinar is this Monday 10/30. Register here.
All the best,
Randy
Dear Dr. Wang
1. Do you use 27g for FOV?
2. For me, I just have 2 floaters. Can I get the surgery witch is only take the floaters out but no injection bass+ (someone told me that is 27g plus)
Thanks
Mr. Wu,
I do NOT use 27g. Not sure it’s better than 25 gauge. You might consider FOV regardless of the number of floaters, but I don’t understand “injection bass+.”
Thanks for visiting and commenting!
All the best,
Randy
Dear Me. Wong,
I am 31 years old and I have had a vitrectomy on my right eye to remove a huge cloud of floaters. It was pvd induced, but I still have several very distinct and bothering black cells floating around that I see all the time, of which I am sure is vitreous. My current surgeon says he does not want to try and flush out the residual cells. Do you think a second vitrectomy has slighly less risk because the vitreous is already removed from the retina and that a second surgery might help?
Thanks,
Remy
Remy,
Sorry for the delay. I really can’t say whether a second operation would be helpful, but in my experience, if whatever residual floaters you see are still moving back and forth – very likely surgery could be helpful.
r
I am a young floater sufferer – I turn 30 in a few weeks. I am told by some that considering a vitrectomy would be insane for someone my age, especially a PVD-induced vitrectomy, which is the only kind I’d pursue. I’m curious what your thoughts are on younger (under 50) sufferers. Is it really automatically unwise to consider this procedure given our age?
Lynn,
Sorry for the lengthy delay. I’ve done many, many vitrectomies (FOV) for patients younger than 30…so I can’t say I’m a fair person to ask considering my experience with young patients. r
Are there any ways to avoid hypotony? I’ve spoken to three patients who experienced hypotony after their vitrectomy (for floaters only) and it sounds devastating. Besides being left with a large potential frill, hypotony is the #1 reason I’m scared to pursue surgery.
Hypotony is very, very uncommon. I would recommend you discuss this with your surgeon, but it can be avoided.
So sorry for this very long delay in responding.
Randy
Hello Dr. Wong,
Could you please let me know what medical insurance policies you accept?
Thank you,
S.M.
Sorry for the long delay.
Please contact Chrissy for this information.
rwongcm13@gmail.com
Randy
I am 31 year old female. Had advanced surface abrasion on my eyes March 1st 2018. By the 1st week of April I started seeing floaters. I had the ASA after trying lasik, which I turned my head because the suction to cut the flap hurt and scared me, so the dr would not continue with lasik. There seems to be many floaters and they constantly float around causing me so much anxiety and I cant stop focusing on them. My optometrist says she can see my floaters and did a thorough exam and everything looked healthy. How long do I need to wait before considering FOV after ASA?
So sorry for the long delay.
There is no right “time to wait,” but if the floaters are driving you nuts, get examined and get informed about your options.
Randy
Hello Dr. Wong,
Does having previous LASIK surgery (in my case 20 years ago) preclude someone from having a vitrectomy to remove floaters? I have them quite bad, esp in my right eye.
Thank you
No. Not at all.
Randy
(Sorry for the abnormally long delay in responding.)
Hi,
Randy
I’m Arif from india,
I have floaters in my left eye which is ring type ,some time it is U shape , it changes shape with time as we move eyesAND other s7-8 small dots(watery colour), in my eyes,i have seen by many retina specialist ,they said every thing is fine in my eyes,they unable to detect these floaters,I’m 23 right now,if these floaters are invisible in examination of eye ,will vitrectomy be considered beneficial on these type of patient.
Very common question and problem. Vitrectomy very often is successful – as long as your “floaters” move around with eye movement.
Randy
Good Morning Dr. Wong, I’ve been reading your blog and find it very helpful and informative. I recently (2 weeks ago) found out I had PVD in my right eye. I had one large, doughnut size floater in my line of vision and flashing on the right side, which sent me to my ophthalmologist to have it checked. After three days, I had what I would equate to a child writing on my eye with a black magic marker. I immediately called my ophthalmologist, who contacted a retina surgeon and they met me to diagnose the situation. I had a retinal tear at 10 o’clock (horseshoe shape) that was taken care of via emergency laser surgery. I had a follow up this week and the tear is healing nicely with no leakage of fluid. The ophthalmologist stated the vitreous has finished detaching so it looks like I am not at risk for any additional tears. My question is how long does it take for these floaters and flashing to settle down and how safe is it to return to normal activities. I did ask these questions of my doctor but am still seeing a lot of flashes on the right side and wonder how long this takes to calm. I was told I would not notice the floaters over time (some are in my field of vision) and that the flashing will subside over time and to note any eye on changes and to return for regular checkups for the next few months. Do you have any additional suggestions in regards to activity and what to be careful of? Bending, yoga, exercise, etc? I was asked to not lift anything over 10 pounds and to sleep propped up on my right side to assist with the healing. Thank you for your time. This is a great sight.
Hope you are well and apologize for the long delay in responding.
Flashes can last for months and vary from patient to patient. Same with floaters – although after a PVD they usually become less noticeable. It is my habit to recommend to my patients not to restrict physical activity including lifting, but you must confer with your own doctor.
Thanks,
Randy
Hi Dr. Wong,
Why do vitrectomies cause cataracts?
Difficult question.
We don’t really know what exactly causes cataracts. Most retina specialists would agree that putting gas or air into the eye after vitrectomy will accelerate cataract formation. Not sure there is any great study comparing cataract formation, by the same surgeon, under the same conditions with varying factors such as length of operation, etc. My guess is that it is surgeon or surgical center dependent.
r
Hello Dr. Wong:
I experienced bilateral, numerous dark floaters following a traffic accident years ago. Even now that I’m in my late 40s, our local retina specialist says I’ve not had a PVD in either eye. What he did find was signs of “lattice degeneration” with no holes and an otherwise normal pair of retinas.
Would I still be a candidate for a vitrectomy given the above? Also, what are your thoughts on floater removal alternatives, like YAG Laser vitreolysis or a T-membranotomy incision using a laser?
Lattice is not a contraindication to having vitrectomy or FOV (same operation). Most retina specialists don’t think Nd:Yag laser to the vitreous is exactly risk free – there may be a chance of retinal tears. Also, not all patients can have vitreolysis.
Thanks!
Randy
Dr. Wong,
I am 5 days post op for lens replacement on my left eye. I am seeing a shadow in the left side and a large black floater at 1-2 o’clock that floats in and out of my vision. Will these go away as my eye heals or it is a symptom that I have to accept with lens replacement? I am having my other eye done in 2 weeks and am concerned I will have floaters in that eye ad well. Thank you for your feedback.
I would encourage you to inform your eye doctor ASAP. Randy