Eye Floaters by Dr.Marc Grossman O.D. L.Ac.

Do tiny black shapes dance on your white living room wall? Do you see little black circles, lines or squiggles floating in your peripheral vision? Floaters are an appropriate name for these small dark shapes that appear before our eyes, because they do, indeed, float through your field of vision.

 

These spots may look like squiggles, strands, or any of a hundred other shapes. Though they can be annoying (sometimes excruciatingly so), floaters are physiologically harmless to the eyes. But if you suddenly become aware of floaters, accompanied by bright flashes of light, it may signal a retinal or vitreous detachment, and a need for emergency care.

 

Despite their usual benign nature, floaters can be frustrating to a point of madness for both patients and doctors. Once a serious physical problem has been ruled out, the standard treatment has been to learn to live with them. Proper diet, and other methods discussed below, however, can help minimize, prevent, or eliminate floaters.

 

Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of floaters are typical and obvious; they include:

 

• Visual spots in the form of specks, strings, clusters, and any combinations of these.

• The spots move as you move your eyes.

• The spots tend to drift out of your line of vision when you are not moving your eyes.

 

WARNING: IF YOU SUDDENLY BECOME AWARE OF NEW SPOTS IN YOUR VISION, SEE YOUR EYE DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY TO RULE OUT SERIOUS PROBLEMS.

 

Common Causes & Risk Factors

Conventional Perspective

 

  • Age. Most vitreous eye floaters are age-related, and are due to the vitreous gel, which maintains the shape of the back of our eyes, gradually liquefying. This results in the release of proteins (connective tissue) into the vitreous gel. More than 50% of people over 70 see these proteins (floaters). Some parts of the vitreous may also clump to form floaters inside the eye. Shrinking of the vitreous that occurs with aging is known as vitreous syneresis.
  • Diabetes. Floaters are common in people with diabetes because this condition causes a number of weakened capillaries in the eyes that can leak blood. The blood then clots, and can be deposited as floaters in the vitreous.
  • Pre-birth. For some people, floaters may appear early in life, as a result of bits of cells that never fully dissolve during pre-birth development of the eyes.
  • Eye Trauma. Trauma to the eye may also cause spots and floaters. Many floaters remain in the eye for a long time before they gradually disappear.
  • Nearsightedness. Those who are nearsighted are at higher risk of developing eye floaters, along with people with food allergies and/or candidiasis (chronic yeast infections).
  • Drugs. Some prescription drugs can cause floaters. 
  • Vitreous anomalies. Retinal tears, detachments, leaky blood vessels, and other vitreous anomalies can be experienced as floaters. 
  • Cataract Surgery. Patients who have had cataract surgery frequently report annoying floaters, which are considered complications. 
  • Stress. We believe that chronic stress may contribute to the generation of floaters (as well as any other health condition one may be prone to). So developing a daily routine of mediation, yoga, or relaxation is critical for overall well-being.

IMPORTANT NOTE: A sudden appearance of floaters might be an indication of a retinal or vitreous detachment. Nearsighted people, and those with diabetes, are more prone to both floaters and retinal tears.

 

Holistic Perspective

From the perspective of Chinese Medicine, congestion in the kidney, liver, and colon can contribute to development of floaters. The nutrients and herbs we recommend are chosen for their ability to reduce congestion, helping to keep the vitreous free of these little specks and spots. In addition, these supplements help to strengthen the connective tissue of the retina, as well as the eye’s blood veins and arteries.

  

Treatments

Conventional Treatments

Currently there are no conventional treatments for floaters; patients are routinely told they must learn to live with them.

Vitrectomy surgery is available for more serious cases. 

 

Complementary Approaches

Recommended Nutrients:

 

Essential:

  • Vitamin C – 2,000 mg per day. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that is essential for overall eye health. 
  • Hyaluronic Acid – 100mg – 200mg per day. Hyaluronic acid (hyaluronan) is a large molecule found in the vitreous gel that is believed to contribute to the vitreous’ gel-like quality, and may also support related connective tissue. 
  • Liver Tonic (based on Classic Chinese Liver Formula Xiao Yao San): Rehmannia, Milk Thistle,dandelion 
  • Floater Homeopathic Pellets – 1-2 pellets 3 times per day (dissolve in mouth), preferably away from meals.

Very Important:

  • Glucosamine Sulfate – 1,500 mg – 2,000 mg per day. Glucosamine sulfate helps maintain connective tissue integrity. Since some floaters are caused by disintegration of the lining of the vitreous sac, this nutrient may help slow down the natural aging effect on a weakening vitreous.  
  • Carnosine – Recommended for people suffering from cataracts, carnosine (LAC) shows promise in reducing vitreous

 

Juicing Recipe: (This is a suggested list of ingredients for this condition. Choose at least 4-6 items to combine. Do not use too many carrots.) Garlic, parsley, beets, carrots, celery, parsnip, apple, raspberries (preferably all organic).

 

Healthy Tip:

Sunglasses: Invest in a good pair of ultra-violet filtering lenses. Ultraviolet light causes shrinkage, degeneration, liquification, and clumping of proteins in the eye; and those clumps are what become floaters. Wearing sunglasses is an especially important part of eye care for older people because vitreous detachments become more common with age.

Photo credit: mayoclinic.org

 

Marc Grossman, Doctor of Optometry and New York State Licensed Acupuncturist is author of several books, including Natural Eye Care – Your Guide to Healthy Vision.  Since 1980 Dr. Marc Grossman has helped many people maintain healthy vision and even improve eyesight. He is best described as a Holistic Eye Doctor, dedicated to helping people with such conditions ranging from myopia and dry eyes to potentially vision threatening diseases as macular degeneration and glaucoma. His combined multi-disciplinary approach using nutrition, eye exercises, lifestyle changes and Chinese Medicine provides him with a wide array of tools and approaches to tackle difficult eye problems. Dr. Grossman founded the Rye Learning Center in 1980, a multidisciplinary center for learning problems, in 1996 co-founded Integral Health Associates in New Paltz, New York, and in 1999 co-founded Natural Eye Care, Inc. For more information go to www.naturaleyecare.com or call 845-255-3728.


Helping Our Aging Eyes by Dr. Marc Grossman, OD, LAc

Problems with eyesight can occur at any age, but in seniors they are more common. For most eye conditions, the risk rate increases for those over 70- or 80-years old. However, many of the eye conditions that arise as a result of age are considered to be normal by many medical professionals, although physiological or biological compensations are possible. Aging does increase the risk for some sight-threatening eye conditions, which is why it is important to be informed and to have regular eye check-ups.

Read More.
Filed Under:

Top 10 Tips to Protect Your Eyes from the Sun by Marc Grossman, OD, LAc

The skin and the eyes are the two parts of the body that get direct contact with the sun. The sun’s rays can burn the outer layers of the eyes, just as the rays can burn the skin. Sunglasses help your eyes filter light and they protect the eyes from ultraviolet light that may contribute to conditions such as-cataracts and macular degeneration.

Read More.
Filed Under:

Top Tips for Avoiding Myopia (Nearsightedness) by Marc Grossman, OD, LAc

Nearsightedness affects around 1.6 billion people worldwide. A study predicts that 49.8% of the world’s population will be affected by myopia by 2050 – that’s a whopping 5 billion people! So below are my top tips to slow down this visual epidemic…

Read More.
Filed Under:

How to Help Prevent Macular Degeneration by Marc Grossman, O.D., L.Ac

The Western diet, high in fats, is associated with a higher risk of macular degeneration. Researchers have found that a high fat diet gives rise to weak gut microbiota resulting in poor digestion and long-range, low-grade inflammation in the entire body. These factors appear to be the source of high rates of AMD in men who are overweight.

Read More.
Filed Under:

Sunlight, Lack of Anti-oxidants, & Eye Disease by Dr. Marc Grossman, OD, LAc

It is generally accepted among health providers that sunlight, blue light in the visible spectrum, are contributing factors to the development of macular degeneration – and use of wrap around sunglasses, amber in color, is the foremost recommendation for macular degeneration patients.

Read More.
Filed Under:

How to Take Care of Your Eyes by Dr. Marc Grossman, OD, LAc

Headaches, squinting and eyes that burn, ache, water or tire easily are indications that the visual system needs help. Most people are born with the potential for good eyes and sight. Vision, however, is learned. And the way you use and care for your visual system directly affects your enjoyment of play, school or work. Your visual system can undergo tremendous stress.

Read More.
Filed Under:

How to Improve Your Eye, Brain & Overall Health by Marc Grossman, OD, LAc

Eating a healthy diet is one of the critical factors in helping both maintain good brain, eye and overall health. Also, the way we eat affects our digestion and how well we are able to breakdown and absorb the essential nutrients in the food we take in. Here are some basic recommendations.

Read More.
Filed Under:

Vision Yoga by Marc Grossman O.D., L.Ac.

What is yoga? “Union” is the literal translation from sanskrit. Tradition tells us that there are several paths to union (not only physical postures) and the practice of them lead to mind, body and spirit integration. From my point of view, these facets of life combined together, enhance not only well-being, but physical health. Yoga leads us to a basic tenet of mind/body unity. If the mind is chronically ill-at-ease one’s physical health suffers. Conversely, if the body experiences ill health, then clarity and strength of mind are adversely impacted. Yoga practice can offset these negative consequences and restore physical and mental health..

Read More.
Filed Under:

How to Fight Viruses by Michael Edson, MS, LAc and Marc Grossman, OD, LAc

What are the best ways to avoid catching a virus? The Centers for Disease Control tell us to wash our hands frequently and thoroughly. Wash for 20 seconds with soap and warm, running water. Avoid touching your face and eyes with dirty hands. If your doctor recommends a flu shot, listen to their advice, particularly relevant for elders and people with immunity concerns.

Read More.