PREMIER VISION ASSOCIATES Focus on Floaters What is a Floater? The vitreous humor is the clear, jelly-like substance in the main chamber of the eye, located between the lens and the retina. At a young age, the vitreous is perfectly transparent. Over time as the eye ages, this vitreous humor can degenerate, losing its form and liquefying Without the stable vitreous humor, the collagen fibers collapse and bind together to form clumps and knots. It is these fibers, which cast shadows on the retina and appear as spots, strings, or cobwebs that are commonly referred to as "floaters". In many cases as the eye ages further, the vitreous humor can peel away from the retina entirely. This is known as Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD). PVD is often associated with a sudden increase in the number of floaters. Sometimes, a large increase in floaters may indicate an underlying retinal problem such as a retinal tear or detachment. What are the types of Eye Floaters? There are several different types of vitreous floaters including 1Weiss Ring Floater A Weiss Ring floater is a large, ring-shaped floater that forms as a result of PVD when the vitreous cortex pulls off the posterior wall, taking with it some of the fibrous vitreous cortex that surrounds the head of the optic nerve. 2Cobweb/Fibrous Strand Floater: Most common in young people, this thin, dense floater can appear as multiple dots and/or string-like cobwebs. 3Diffuse Floater: This cloud-like amorphous floaters sometimes present as a general fog What type of floaters are concerning? A sudden increase or new presence of floaters is concerning especially if accompanied by flashing lights. New floaters or large increase in the number of floaters should be promptly investigated by an ophthalmologist as this may indicate an underlying retinal paihology such as a retinal tear or detachment What is laser floater removal (vitreolysis)? In cases where floaters negatively affect a patient's quality of vision. laser therapy (aser floater removal - Vitreolysis) is available. Vitreolysis is a minimally invasive procedure that can reduce or eliminate the visual disturbance caused by floaters. During treatment, nanosecond pulses of laser light are used to evaporate the collagen and hyaluronin molecules within the floater, converting them to a gas. The end result is that the floater is removed and/or reduced in size, significantly improving quality of vision. The goal of vitreolysis is to achieve a functional improvement Am I a good candidate for laser vitreolysis? A comprehensive dilated exam is necessary to determine if one is a good candidate for laser vitreolysis. Introducing Ellex Ultra-Q Reflex Laser-The first YAG laser designed to perform both anterior and posterior YAG treatments. It's ideally suited for the treatment of vitreous strands and opacities. Dr. Singh is proud to be the frst and only provider in Joliet to offer laser vitreolysis with this powerful technology Gaurav Singh M.D., Board Certified Ophthalmologist is a comprehensive ophthalmologist who provides laser treatment of visually significant floaters (Vitreolysis). Furthermore, Dr. Singh provides ophthalmic care for many diseases such as Diabetes, Macular degeneration, and Glaucoma. Dr. Singh also has experience in the latest small- incision cataract surgery including Laser-assisted cataract surgery (LenSx). In addition, he has a wealth of experience with Advanced Technology Lens (AT) implantation including Toric and Multifocal lenses Premier Vision Associates "Providing World-Class Eye Care" 202 N. Hammes Ave (815) 744-2020 Hrs: Monday-Friday 9-5 www.Premier2020.com PREMIER VISION ASSOCIATES Focus on Floaters What is a Floater? The vitreous humor is the clear, jelly-like substance in the main chamber of the eye, located between the lens and the retina. At a young age, the vitreous is perfectly transparent. Over time as the eye ages, this vitreous humor can degenerate, losing its form and liquefying Without the stable vitreous humor, the collagen fibers collapse and bind together to form clumps and knots. It is these fibers, which cast shadows on the retina and appear as spots, strings, or cobwebs that are commonly referred to as "floaters". In many cases as the eye ages further, the vitreous humor can peel away from the retina entirely. This is known as Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD). PVD is often associated with a sudden increase in the number of floaters. Sometimes, a large increase in floaters may indicate an underlying retinal problem such as a retinal tear or detachment. What are the types of Eye Floaters? There are several different types of vitreous floaters including 1Weiss Ring Floater A Weiss Ring floater is a large, ring-shaped floater that forms as a result of PVD when the vitreous cortex pulls off the posterior wall, taking with it some of the fibrous vitreous cortex that surrounds the head of the optic nerve. 2Cobweb/Fibrous Strand Floater: Most common in young people, this thin, dense floater can appear as multiple dots and/or string-like cobwebs. 3Diffuse Floater: This cloud-like amorphous floaters sometimes present as a general fog What type of floaters are concerning? A sudden increase or new presence of floaters is concerning especially if accompanied by flashing lights. New floaters or large increase in the number of floaters should be promptly investigated by an ophthalmologist as this may indicate an underlying retinal paihology such as a retinal tear or detachment What is laser floater removal (vitreolysis)? In cases where floaters negatively affect a patient's quality of vision. laser therapy (aser floater removal - Vitreolysis) is available. Vitreolysis is a minimally invasive procedure that can reduce or eliminate the visual disturbance caused by floaters. During treatment, nanosecond pulses of laser light are used to evaporate the collagen and hyaluronin molecules within the floater, converting them to a gas. The end result is that the floater is removed and/or reduced in size, significantly improving quality of vision. The goal of vitreolysis is to achieve a functional improvement Am I a good candidate for laser vitreolysis? A comprehensive dilated exam is necessary to determine if one is a good candidate for laser vitreolysis. Introducing Ellex Ultra-Q Reflex Laser-The first YAG laser designed to perform both anterior and posterior YAG treatments. It's ideally suited for the treatment of vitreous strands and opacities. Dr. Singh is proud to be the frst and only provider in Joliet to offer laser vitreolysis with this powerful technology Gaurav Singh M.D., Board Certified Ophthalmologist is a comprehensive ophthalmologist who provides laser treatment of visually significant floaters (Vitreolysis). Furthermore, Dr. Singh provides ophthalmic care for many diseases such as Diabetes, Macular degeneration, and Glaucoma. Dr. Singh also has experience in the latest small- incision cataract surgery including Laser-assisted cataract surgery (LenSx). In addition, he has a wealth of experience with Advanced Technology Lens (AT) implantation including Toric and Multifocal lenses Premier Vision Associates "Providing World-Class Eye Care" 202 N. Hammes Ave (815) 744-2020 Hrs: Monday-Friday 9-5 www.Premier2020.com