CORE VITRECTOMY and FLOATERS
DETAILS and COMMENTS


 
 


 

I am 60+, no cataracts yet, never had eye surgery, and no other eye issues. In the Fall of 2024 I had a PVD in each eye resulting in two large central floaters, making my life miserable. Rather than ‘live with it’ I decided to take back control of my sight. So 7 months later I approached a highly respected hospital near me about a Floater-Only Vitrectomy (FOV). They regularly perform Fulls but I don’t think anyone had ever approached them formally about getting one done only for floaters. Surprisingly, they were open minded and actually discussed my request internally, but said no. They weren’t worried about causing cataracts or the procedure's effectiveness, but felt the risk of retinal detachment was too high for “just floaters”. In other words, they didn’t like the risk/benefit ratio.

Next, I approached a progressive eye center in my area which refreshingly didn't agree with the Full Vitrectomy for everything mindset that is common in the field.

 
 
 
AFTER RESEARCH HERE IS WHAT I GLEANED
  

 
  • Retinal Detachment occurs naturally in about 1% of the population. A FOV can increase this to about 2%.
  • The vitreous is 4 to 5 CC in volume while the distance from the lens to the retina is 17mm. A Full vitrectomy can accelerate cataracts because the rear of the lens is exposed and can begin to oxidize. A Core leaves the vitreous "all the way round" which is said to result in fewer complications and slower cataract formation.
  • The aqueous humor is a clear fluid that fills the chambers of the eye. The body normally cycles the aqueous every few hours to cleanse the eye (not the gel-like vitreous unfortunately). During a Core, saline is used to replace the central vitreous. The eye gradually replaces the saline with new aqueous after surgery.
  • For a Core, a patch is not worn afterwards letting the eye breath openly to heal. An eye protector for sleeping is required for a short period.
  • A Core FOV can take 10 minutes. Mild sedation is optional.
 
 
 

It was estimated that being in my early 60s cataracts were likely to appear naturally in 5 years. Getting a Core might reduce that to 2-3 years. I decided the 2% risk of retinal detachment was acceptable to me.

I reminded myself of the common tactic used by the Opto world to scare people away from a FOV: that it can accelerate cataracts. Well, the average age of cataracts is 65 and the risk of them forming is not worrisome to me. My attitude that I would much rather have floater-free vision and the possibilty of a cataract, than floaters for life with the possibility of a cataract. People who use RLE to get rid of glasses and contacts don't have the same anxiety about lens replacement, which is worth noting.

Armed with this new knowledge I began seriously considering an FOV.



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