By: James H. Johnson, MD

James H. Johnson, MD — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 17:21:34 +0000

Thank you for bringing attention to this unique procedure to treat eye floaters. I have some comments and corrections regarding the use of the laser to treat floaters. There are three licensed eye surgeons in the US performing this procedure with any regularity and experience. There are a few more worldwide, but I have the only practice exclusively treating eye floaters as well as researching this treatment. I additionally work with a laser manufacturer to develop better lasers to treat floaters.
FTA: “Laser treatment outweighs vitrectomy procedure due to its greater accuracy”. There are pros and cons to both procedures. The laser is indeed very accurate with a precise focal point to 4/1000 of a millimeter. The vitrectomy is an enterly different procedure not measured by “accuracy”. It is an invasive procedure that removes the vitreous in its entirety replacing it with saline solution. The Vitrectomy is more likely to remove all of the offending eye floaters, but it also has a nearly 100% rate of cataract formation within 1 year after the procedure. There is a small but real risk of devastating vision threatening complications with the vitrectomy that you don’t have with the laser treatment. For that reason alone, many people choose the laser treatment of invasive surgery.
Not everyone can be treated, with the young people in their 20-30′s being the most difficult to treat. There is a plethora of technical information and FAQ’s available at my website: http://VitreousFloaterSolutions.com
Dr. Johnson

Comments on: Eye Floaters Treatment – Optical Breakdown Laser Procedure

By: James H. Johnson, MD