PROMOTION LOCALS

PROMOTION FLOATERS – SMALL BUT SERIOUS DR. ABDALLAH JEROUDI OF THE FLORIDA RETINA INSTITUTE SHARES HIS INSIGHT ON A SMALL BUT SERIOUS CHANGE THAT COULD BE A THREAT TO YOUR We routinely VISION. ask our patients to call By Abdallah Jeroudi, MD in right away Photography by Kate Gardiner with symptoms – timely evaluation sudden change in your and treatment vision is something we, as may spare eye care specialists at the them a trip to Florida Retina Institute, always want to know about. the operating A room and This is especially true when someone experiences a sudden onset of new floaters prevent vision in the vision. Along with flashing lights loss. A sudden or seeing a shadow in the field of vision, onset of new these constellation of symptoms can point towards a serious, sight-threatening or numerous condition that requires urgent attention. floaters, flashing lights, Most people starting in their 20s and or a shadow in of the eye passes will dilate the pupils and carefully look for 30s experience hair-like floaters which the visual field through a retinal a tear or detachment of the retina. represent the natural, age-related tear leading to fluid liquefaction of the vitreous gel, located in require prompt evaluation. accumulation under Retinal tears can often be treated the center of the eye. The vitreous gel holds the retina. with an office-based procedure by the tightly to the surface of the retina that retina specialist. The goal of treatment lines the back wall of the eye. The retina This causes the retina is to seal the tear before it leads to a allows us to see; it is the photographic film to fall off the back wall of the eye leading to retinal detachment. If there is a retinal of the camera that is your eye. With the a “Retinal Detachment.” This is perceived detachment, this will typically require passage of time, the vitreous gel continues as a persistent shadow in the field of vision surgery in an operating room setting. We to liquefy until it peels from the surface of which may progress to blindness without routinely ask our patients to call in right the retina leading to a “Posterior Vitreous surgical management. Those at greatest away with symptoms – timely evaluation Detachment.” This is typically perceived risk for a retinal tear or detachment are and treatment may spare them a trip to the as a single, round floater coming in and out above 50 years old, near-sighted, suffered operating room and prevent vision loss. of the vision. In 90% of cases, this single eye trauma, have undergone cataract floater can be of little consequence. surgery, and have a family history of retinal A sudden onset of new or numerous floaters, Yet, in 10% of cases, a sudden onset of this detachment. flashing lights, or a shadow in the visual floater (and especially numerous floaters) field require prompt evaluation. Your vision can be a sign of a more serious, potentially A sudden onset of new floaters, flashing/ is precious. Don’t hesitate to call your eye blinding condition. As the vitreous gel peels streaking lights, or a shadow in the visual doctor; we want to help. from the surface of the retina, it may tear field should prompt an evaluation with the retina (causing numerous floaters) or your eye care specialist within 1 to 2 days. 1100 Plantation Island Drive, Suite 130 tug on the retina (causing the perception of During your examination, your eye doctor flashing lights). Fluid from the inside cavity www.floridaretinainstitute.com • (800) 237-3846

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