Removal of vitreous floaters using 25 gauge vitrectomy

Floaters clear on their own almost all of the time.  Even patients with persistent floaters usually adjust to them.  Their is a small group of patients with sheet like floaters and veils that affect their visual function and do not clear even after waiting over a year.  In this situation, it is acceptable to consider vitrectomy surgery.  Vitrectomy does carry a risk of retinal detachment, infection and bleeding.  So the risk of surgery has to be balanced with the potential benefit.  This patient understood that and chose to have surgery and was thrilled with the result.

 

This 64 year old woman had cataract surgery 7 years previously.  She was followed in our practice with bothersome floaters for the past 6 years.  She described sheets of gauze like floaters that would intermittently obstruct her vision.  They did not clear with observation.  Her left eye had vitrectomy for floaters 3 months ago and the patient was thrilled.  This video is of the vitrectomy in the right eye. 

Flash Video to Left, Windows Media Video Use Red Button:

This video is about 7 minutes long.

The video may take time to load!  Windows media player is recommended.  The video has a narrative so turn on your sound if you want to hear it.  (Turn off your sound if you don't).