Eye Floaters

Eye floaters are small pieces of debris that float in the eye's vitreous humor. This debris casts shadows onto the retina (the light-sensitive tissue layer at the back of the eye). If you have eye floaters, it is these shadows that you see "floating" across your field of vision.

What is Degenerative Vitreous Syndrome?

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 “eye 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.

What is LFT?

Also known as laser floater treatment or vitreolysis, LFT is a non-invasive procedure that can eliminate the visual disturbance caused by eye floaters. The goal of LFT is to achieve a “functional improvement”. That is, to allow you to return to “normal” day-to-day activities without the hindrance of floaters.

About LFT

How does LFT Work?

LFT involves the application of nanosecond pulses of laser light to evaporate the vitreous opacities and to sever the vitreous strands. During this process, the floater's collagen and hyaluronin molecules are converted into a gas. The end result is that the floater is removed and/or reduced in size

What happens during the procedure?

LFT is performed as an outpatient procedure; you do not have to stay overnight in a hospital. Immediately prior to treatment, your ophthalmologist will administer eye drops to provide mild anesthesia. A contact lens will then be placed on your eye, with the laser light delivered through a specially designed microscope. 


During treatment, you will likely observe small, dark specks/shadows - signaling that the floaters are being evaporated into small gas bubbles. These gas bubbles quickly dissolve and resorb into the vitreous.


Once the treatment is complete, your ophthalmologist may treat your eyes with anti-inflammatory drops. 


Each treatment session typically takes 20-60 minutes to perform and most patients will need to undergo two treatment sessions, sometimes three, in order to achieve a satisfactory result. 

Who can benefit from LFT?

It is necessary to undergo an ophthalmic examination to determine your eligibility for treatment with LFT.


Onset of Symptoms: if your floater symptoms develop very quickly then they may be caused by PVD, which can be treated with LFT.


Floater Characteristics: large floaters with a soft border, situated away from the retina, are ideally suited to treatment with LFT.

What to expect after treatment.

You may observe small, dark specks in your lower field of vision immediately following treatment, but these small gas bubbles will quickly dissolve. It is also important to note that some patients may experience mild discomfort, redness or temporarily blurred vision directly following treatment.


Reported side effects and complications associated with LFT are rare. Side effects may include cataract and intraocular pressure (IOP) spike. 


Clinical studies have shown LFT to be a safe, effective treatment in the majority of patients. If floaters persist, however, your ophthalmologist may recommend surgery.

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