Clinical Ophthalmology (Jun 2024)
Floater Stories: Assessing the Potential Benefits of Vitrectomy
Abstract
Robert E Morris1,2 1Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education, Birmingham, AL, USA; 2Retina Specialists of Alabama, LLC, Birmingham, AL, USACorrespondence: Robert E Morris, Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education, 2208 University Blvd., Suite 101, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA, Tel +1205 936-0704, Email [email protected]: Symptomatic vitreous opacities (SVO, “floaters”) in the mobile, aging vitreous that substantially interfere with daily visual activities (DVA) constitute degenerative vitreous syndrome (DVS). DVS is best distinguished from common “nuisance” floaters by use of “floater stories” written by presenting patients describing their symptoms. Here I discuss why vitreous opacity vitrectomy, though curative, has been adopted only belatedly and is still controversial, and I describe my long-term experience with its use for this disease.Keywords: vitrectomy, floaters, vitreous opacities, SVO, degenerative vitreous syndrome, DVS
