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Do I need to worry about floaters? A Harvard Medical School doctor answers a common eyesight question: Q: Recently, I started to notice tiny threadlike shapes in my field of vision. My doctor says they are “floaters.” Should I be concerned? A: “Floaters” is a catchall term for what look like dots, threads, or cobwebs drifting across your line of vision. Floaters are tiny clusters of cells or flecks of protein that form in the vitreous, the fluid that fills the eyeball. What you’re actually seeing is the shadow these bits cast on the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that allows us to see. Some people also see flashes of light. These occur when the vitreous bumps, rubs, or tugs against the retina. Most floaters and flashes are harmless and occur as a result of normal aging and shrinking of the vitreous. Sometimes, though, the shrinking vitreous tugs on the retina and pulls away from it a little bit. This is called vitreous detachment. It triggers new floaters and flashes. Vitreous detachment usually doesn’t threaten vision. In about 15% of cases, vitreous detachment tears the retina. That tear can lead to a detached retina, a much more serious condition that can lead to vision loss. If you notice new floaters or flashes, call your doctor and arrange to see an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) as soon as possible. Prompt treatment can help prevent retinal detachment — and protect your sight. — Celeste Robb-Nicholson, M.D. For more information on common eye conditions in older adults, buy The Aging Eye, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School.
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| News and Views from the Harvard Health Blog Insoles no help for knee osteoarthritis Nearly a third of Americans will develop osteoarthritis of the knee before age 70. With no "cure" beside knee replacement on the horizon for this painful joint condition, relief often has to come from pain pills. Assistive devices such as wedge insoles are often prescribed as a less drastic, side effect-free treatment option. But do they really work? Read more. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Keep an eye out for age-related macular degeneration Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) strikes at the macula, the heart of the eye’s vision center. This small part of the retina is responsible for sharp, central vision. People with AMD often develop blurred or distorted vision and cannot clearly see objects directly in front of them. Eventually they may develop a blind spot in the middle of their field of vision that increases in size as the disease progresses. There are two types of AMD: dry and wet. About eight million Americans have early or intermediate AMD, and more than two million people have an advanced form that is characterized by severe vision problems. Most people with AMD have the dry version. It is caused by a breakdown or thinning of the retina. Although symptoms vary, people with dry AMD usually first experience blurred vision and difficulty reading or distinguishing faces. In some people, dry AMD progresses to the more serious wet form, which is the most common cause of severe vision loss. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels develop in the layer of cells beneath the retina. When they leak blood or fluid into the retina (hence “wet”), they can cause scarring in the macula, leading to a blind spot at the center of the visual field. Over time, this area may enlarge. Your doctor can often detect signs of age-related macular degeneration before sight is affected and before permanent visual loss occurs. She or he may suspect this condition if the view through an ophthalmoscope reveals clumps of pigment or clusters of drusen (small yellow deposits that build up under the macula). A complete eye exam can detect coexisting eye diseases, such as cataract or glaucoma. An Amsler grid test can help to identify the distorted vision typical of AMD. For this test, you focus your eyes on a central dot on a grid that resembles graph paper. If the lines near the dot appear wavy or are missing, AMD may be to blame. Distortion that appears on the grid may be a sign of the wet form of AMD. Routine eye exams and early detection are important. The earlier AMD is detected, the more likely it can be treated successfully. For more information on diagnosing and treating age-related macular degeneration, buy The Aging Eye, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School.
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| Harvard Medical School offers special reports on over 50 health topics. PHONE ORDERS - please call our toll-free number: 1-877-649-9457.
Copyright © 2013 by Harvard University. * Please note, we do not provide responses to personal medical concerns, nor can we supply related medical information other than what is available in our print products or website. For specific, personalized medical advice we encourage you to contact your physician. |
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