Laser Treatment
of Floaters

Eye Floaters

Diagnosis & Treatment
of Floaters

Eye Floaters

Diagnosis & Treatment

While in most cases the symptoms from floaters do in fact decrease over time, there is a good treatment option for persistent floaters that is effective, non-invasive, low risk and affordable: Laser Treatment of Floaters. This office procedure is performed by Dr. Alan Chandler, MD of Chandler Eye Care Specialists PC at his office at Memorial Regional Medical Center, MOB II, Suite 226.

Eye Floaters

Diagnosis & Treatment
of Floaters

Eye floaters are common and can be very bothersome to some people. However, many people with floaters seem to be able to tune them out and not be bothered by them. Other people will occasionally notice floaters in their vision during certain lighting conditions or times of the day. The one constant feature about floaters is that most eye doctors say that nothing can be done for them, and that the patient will just have to live with them and hope that the symptoms decrease over time.

While in most cases the symptoms from floaters do in fact decrease over time, there is a good treatment option for persistent floaters that is effective, non-invasive, low risk and affordable: Laser Treatment of Floaters. This office procedure is performed by Dr. Alan Chandler, MD of Chandler Eye Care Specialists PC at his office at Memorial Regional Medical Center, MOB II, Suite 226.

Eye Floaters

Is Laser Treatment of Floaters Right
for Me?

Is Laser Treatment of Floaters Right for Me?

First, potential candidates for the procedure need to schedule a complete eye examination with Dr. Chandler. This is a dilated eye examination to examine the eyes for any complicating eye condition, especially involving the retina, vitreous, lens or optic nerve. The examination is often enhanced with fundus photography and high-definition optical scanning of the retina and vitreous. A detailed discussion will take place where the patient will describe his or her symptoms, the impact that the symptoms have on lifestyle and quality of life, onset and duration of symptoms, and other relevant observations about the floaters or other symptoms. A comprehensive assessment of the health of the patient’s eyes will be detailed by Dr. Chandler and if they are a good candidate for the procedure. Typically, the actual laser procedure will be scheduled at a later date since the initial complete eye examination can be fairly lengthy. Medical insurance, including Medicare, covers this eye examination and testing, and usually covers the Laser Treatment of Floaters procedure as well.

Eye Floaters

The Laser
Treatment Procedure:

The actual Laser Treatment of Floaters procedure is painless and well tolerated. One eye is treated per session. The eye is dilated and given eye drop anesthesia. A specially made smooth lens is placed on the eye with a lubricating gel. This lens is very important for the procedure since it allows visualization of the floaters being treated and precise focusing of the laser onto the floaters. Dr. Chandler has a variety of lenses that can be used depending on the location of the floaters. A Yag laser specially designed for the treatment of floaters is used, and the patient is comfortably seated at the laser in a similar fashion to the eye examination. The laser is non-thermal, but the patient may see a flash of light and perceive a clicking sensation as the procedure ensues. A given session may take 5-20 minutes depending on the nature and extent of the floaters.

When completed, the patient returns home with eye drops to use a few times a day for a few days only. There are no restrictions after the procedure, and the vision clears quickly as the dilation wears off. The patient will follow-up in 1-week at the office. In some cases, more than one session may be required to fully treat the floaters, but this is considered a continuation of the original procedure at no extra charge. The second eye can be treated at the 1-week follow-up if no additional treatment is needed for the first eye.

Eye Floaters

Good Candidates for the Procedure and Expectations:

Good candidates for Laser Treatment of Floaters are patients with generally healthy eyes that have undergone a complete separation of the vitreous from the retina (PVD). This is a normal occurrence that happens at some point in a person’s life from 30-70 years of age. The floaters should be chronic (present and not improving for several months) and bothersome to the patient. The floaters must not be too close to the retina or natural lens of the eye or treatment may not be safe. The floaters must be able to be visualized by the doctor to be able to treat them, and some very dense or extremely extensive floaters might not be treatable. Contact Dr. Chandler at 804-256-3020 for a complete discussion of the risks, benefits, and contraindications to treatment.

Your eyes, our focus.

We are now scheduling new and existing patients, and even some same-day appointments are available.

YOUR EYES, OUR FOCUS.

We are now scheduling new and existing patients, and even some same-day appointments are available.

Laser Treatment of Floaters

Diagnosis & Treatment of Floaters

Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosis & Treatment of Floaters

Is Laser Treatment of Floaters Right for Me?

Is Laser Treatment of Floaters Right for Me?

The Laser Treatment Procedure:

Good Candidates for the Procedure and Expectations:

Your eyes, our focus.

YOUR EYES, OUR FOCUS.

Laser Treatment
of Floaters

Diagnosis & Treatment
of Floaters

Diagnosis & Treatment
of Floaters

Is Laser Treatment of Floaters Right
for Me?

The Laser
Treatment Procedure: