Will Cataract Surgery Get Rid of Floaters?
Cataract surgery can lead to the development of floaters, which are dark shapes that move across the field of vision. These floaters can be a common side effect of the surgery and are often harmless, but they can also be a sign of a more serious complication, such as retinal tear or detachment. Floaters may be preexisting but become more noticeable after the surgery, or they can result from posterior vitreous detachment. In some cases, treatment such as vitrectomy may be recommended if the floaters significantly impact vision or quality of life. It’s important to make an appointment if you experience floaters after cataract surgery, especially if they are accompanied by other symptoms such as flashes of light, blurry vision, a curtain over part of your vision, or eye pain. While floaters can be a normal occurrence after cataract surgery, they should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to rule out any serious issues.
Floaters are small specks or lines that float into your field of vision. Eye floaters can be annoying, but rarely cause any pain or discomfort. These black or gray blobs are caused by vitreous fibers in the fluid that fills your eyeball. They can be a completely normal result of cataract surgery, but the causes of floaters can vary depending on certain symptoms.
If you experience any of the symptoms described above, contact an eye doctor right away. Don’t bother going to the emergency room, it is unlikely that the doctors in the Emergency Room can help with this issue. The treatment for floaters after cataract surgery depends on what’s causing them. An eye doctor will use a dilated eye exam to help determine what may be causing your floaters. If floaters are happening naturally due to aging or a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), they typically don’t require treatment. However, if floaters are significantly impacting your quality of life or your ability to see, an eye doctor may suggest a procedure called a vitrectomy[3]. We generally discourage a vitrectomy as there is a small but real chance of a retinal tear or detachment and loss of vision with this procedure. We generally suggest that, if possible, you learn to ignore the floaters.
Citations:
[1] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/floaters-after-cataract-surgery
[2] https://centerforsightswfl.com/floaters-after-cataract-surgery-is-it-normal/
[3] https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/floaters-after-cataract-surgery
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5820851/
[5] https://lakeeye.com/are-floaters-after-cataract-surgery-normal/