Eye Floaters Treatment NYC by Marc Bystock L.Ac.

Floaters are the name for small dark black or grey specks and shapes that move in our field of vision. They may become more common with aging. Floaters take different shapes. You may notice cobweb shapes, small lines, black dots, irregular shapes, squiggly lines, or circles. Even though floaters may be physiologically harmless to the eyes, they can be very annoying.

Many people will see more floaters the older they become. With an increase in older age, the vitreous tends to dry out. This may lead to vitreous shrinkage, usually a slow and gradual process. If it happens rapidly, it may result in a large number of floaters all at once.

If you have multiple eye symptoms, like floaters with pain or dark shadows across your visual field, it could mean that you have a retinal detachment or an injury to the back of your eye. In this case, see a specialist and be treated immediately; it could be an emergency!

Anytime floaters are accompanied with bright flashes of light, it may be the sign of something much more severe. This could mean a retinal tear or detachment. If that becomes the case, you should see a physician immediately. A retinal detachment could lead to vision loss if not treated.

Floaters occur when the vitreous gel of the eye starts to liquefy or clump and shrink. This causes small protein or collagen fibers to float in the field of vision and may create a pulling or cast a shadow on the retina. The breakdown of the vitreous can occur from a process known as oxidation. Like rusting, oxidation causes damage to cells from free radicals. Individuals who smoke, consume poor quality foods, are around chemicals, who are under chronic stress, or those who don’t get enough sleep may experience floaters at some point.

• Any inflammation of the eye could cause floaters, including an infection.

• A tear to the retina or an injury of any kind may lead to floaters being present. 

• A hemorrhage in the eye may also be an underlying cause for having floaters.

• Bleeding in the eye can happen from diabetes or an occluded vessel.

• Some patients with diabetic retinopathy may be prone to having floaters.

• Eye patients receiving injections to the vitreous may notice floaters afterward. 

• Strands, debris, or liquid pockets in the eye may settle, casting shadows as floaters before settling.

Pathological floaters are mostly caused from a chronic inflammatory response or bleeding and require medical intervention. Like finger prints, everyone has a completely different pattern of floaters in their eyes. If you have floaters in both eyes, the floaters in each eye will appear as unique.

Patients would normally visit their ophthalmologist with a symptom of floaters. A routine examination may consist of a visual field study. This test checks for any loss in both central and peripheral vision. Next, a look at the front of yours with a slit lamp, then a dilation of the pupils to examine the back of the eyes.

• Surgery may be performed to remove the vitreous. This procedure may be done through a small incision. A solution is left to replace the vitreous which provides shape for the eye.

• A laser procedure may be elected to break up floaters in the vitreous.

In most cases of degenerative eye conditions, including floaters, the eyes are suffering from reduced blood flow, inflammation, and too much oxidative stress. Acupuncture is a unique modality in that it corrects the underlying disturbances that cause eye floaters. Acupuncture excels in the perfusion of blood to both the liver and the eyes. An increase in nutrient-rich blood is necessary to heal the tissue and cells of the eye.

In my practice, I routinely select acupuncture points for my eye patients from four different subsystems of acupuncture: Acunova, Micro Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Acupuncture and/or Japanese acupuncture. The Acunova and Micro Acupuncture systems were both specifically created to help patients who have degenerative eye disorders. Needles may be inserted on the hands, the feet, and around the eyebrows (Never in the eyes).

In addition to acupuncture, some patients may require other therapies. I offer nutritional programs for eye patients, supplements, herbs, cold laser, electrical stimulation, and pulsed electromagnetic frequency. These work in conjunction with acupuncture to help resolve the eye floaters and improve your eyes' overall condition.