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Eye Care Archive (Expert Forum)
Retinal Tear and Floaters after Cataract Surgery
Our Ask A Doctor Ophthalmology Forum is where you can post your question and receive a personal answer from physicians affiliated with the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Retinal Tear and Floaters after Cataract Surgery
by seliles, Jan 12, 2007 12:00AM
I had cataract surgery on both eyes November 1 and 15 of last year. I am very nearsighted (about -8 diopters in both eyes) so I knew that I was at an increased risk for retinal tears. On December 15, I had a sudden increase in floaters in my left eye and found out I indeed had a retinal tear. It was treated with a laser procedure on December 18 by a retinal specialist. As a result of the tear, I now have many more floaters in my left eye, 2 of which are very bothersome. One is kind of a tan, brownish distorted ring-shape that is driving me nuts; the other big one is just kind of like a hazy cloud. I am so distracted by them that it is affecting my job, my life in general. The retinal specialist who treated me said it would eventually go away or "settle down", but it would take time, maybe 7-8 months. I would like to hear from anyone who has had a retinal tear and this type of floater to see what your experience is. Is this what is known as a "Weiss" ring? Has anyone tried something like hypnosis or something similar to deal with floaters. They are really a "quality of life" issue in my opinion.
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-OD-MP, Jan 12, 2007 12:00AM
hmm. havent heard of hyponosis being used for floaters.
no, a weiss ring is not from a retinal tear. a weiss ring only occurs in a PVD or posterior vitreal detachment (which you may have also had,i dont know). a weiss ring is a large, grey CIRCULAR floater.
ask your surgeon if you can have a vitrectomy. its fairly invasive, but if you're that bothered by the floaters, thats a good way to get rid of them
no, a weiss ring is not from a retinal tear. a weiss ring only occurs in a PVD or posterior vitreal detachment (which you may have also had,i dont know). a weiss ring is a large, grey CIRCULAR floater.
ask your surgeon if you can have a vitrectomy. its fairly invasive, but if you're that bothered by the floaters, thats a good way to get rid of them
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I just try and tell myself that one day they will go away, and think that a blind person would be so happy to see floaters. It kinda helps me when realizing how much worse things could be.
Also, if they do not go away in time, there is a procedure , floater vitrectomy. It can be very risky and you would have to have a very, very, experienced doctor. But it helps me to know that such a thing exists. Always easier to believe that there is something that can be done, even if I am not ready to take any risks at present. Best wishes.
But then one day I saw a blind man trying to cross a busy street with his cane. And my problems became easier to bare. We have hope of the floaters falling below line of vision. And if not, we can look into the floater vitrectomy. At least we have hope. Some people do not. Very best wishes to you. I understand your misery and am so sorry. Kady
I think you should try to be positive. It was a very good thing that your retinal tear was detected early enough not to cause any serious damage to your vision. I do have one big floater. I got it last year. I used to be so annoyed by it but not any more.