I have just put online a unique look at a controversial subject, the use of the ophthalmic YAG laser to dissipate eye floaters. There are only 3 doctors in the U.S. that specialize in this technique: Dr. Scott Geller of Fort Myers, Florida; Dr. James H. Johnson of Irvine, California; and Dr. John Karickhoff of Falls Church, Virginia. I interviewed the three and present their perspectives on using lasers to eliminate bothersome “floaters”. An interesting question addressed in the interviews is why more ophthalmologists are not using this technique.

Some quick introductory comments for patients: eye floaters are tiny spots, specks, flecks and “cobwebs” that drift aimlessly around in your field of vision. They typically appear when tiny pieces of the eye’s gel-like vitreous break loose within the anterior portion of the eye. While annoying, ordinary eye floaters and spots are very common and usually aren’t cause for alarm in the sense that they are not typically a threat to the overall health of the eye. However, less commonly, floaters may be caused by more serious conditions such as retinal tears or hemorrhages, inflammatory conditions, diabetes, autoimmune disorders and infections. Accordingly, the onset of floaters should be promptly evaluated by an eye care professional to rule out such serious causes.

With that, to read my article on the use of the ophthalmic YAG laser to eliminate floaters, please go to: http://tinyurl.com/vitreolysis ^[1]

I hope you enjoy this treatise, and invite comments on the subject on this blog.