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EYE FLOATER TREATMENT CENTER

We are the World's premier Eye Floater Specialty Center.  Eye floaters can range from the merely annoying to the visually disabling.  Laser Treatment of eye floaters is our specialty.

The South Florida Eye Foundation / South Florida Eye Clinic has been treating eye floaters for 25 years.

Scott Geller MD, a Board Certified Ophthalmologist, pioneered and perfected laser treatment of eye floaters. He presented his first series of successful cases at the International Congress of Ophthalmology in Singapore, 1989.

Dr. Geller has the largest and longest series of patients treated with laser in the world. Dr. Geller has presented his data to other Ophthalmologists at conferences in the US, Europe, and Asia about treating eye floaters with laser.

Dr. Geller has treated many Medical Doctors, some of whose letters are on these pages

EYE FLOATERS...

are a result of changes in the Vitreous Body, the colloidal gel that occupies most of the hollow sphere of the eye. Aside from maintaining good nutrition, taking anti-oxidant vitamins, and following a healthy lifestyle, Ophthalmologists have no specific answer on how to prevent them.

But there is a proven treatment. Laser has helped thousands of people. It is a reasonable alternative to vitrectomy, an operation that is available if laser can't help.

SOME EYE FLOATER FACTS

The vitreous gel is 99% water and 1% solid elements. Of the solid portion, there are collagen filaments and hyaluronic acid molecules. The ability of hyaluronic acid molecules to retain water molecules is an important factor in maintaining the gel consistency of vitreous. With age, there is a depolymerisation of hyaluronic acid, causing these molecules to release their water and form lacunae i.e. pockets of liquefied vitreous. The collagen 'filaments' aggregate to form larger 'fibrils', causing further collapse of the vitreous gel structure. This process is known as vitreous degeneration and 'syneresis'. The collagen fibrils may 'float' within the liquid vitreous pockets, giving the patient a sensation of floaters. The same process that causes floaters may cause flashes of light. When the vitreous pulls on the retina - to which it is attached - the photoreceptors are mechanically stimulated. The retinal cells are incapable of perceiving pain, pressure, or temperature. The only stimulus that the retina responds to is 'light'. So when the retinal photoreceptors experience mechanical stimulation because of the vitreous pull, they send a signal to the brain in the form of disorganized light, which is perceived by the brain as a 'flash'.

Eventually, with the accumulation of enough lacunae (liquified vitreous pockets), the vitreous framework collapses and the vitreous completely separates from the retina. This process is called posterior vitreous detachment . Tissue may tear from an area adjacent to or from the optic nerve head due to an acute posterior vitreous detachment. This tissue (called Weiss ring) is usually visible as a large floater. Posterior vitreous detachment occurs in less that 10% people under 50 years of age but in more than 60% people who are over 70 years of age. It is more common for people who are nearsighted, who have had an eye injury, have undergone eye surgery,or have had inflammation inside the eye.

How Does Laser Work?

It's actually quite simple. The Laser, the Swiss made 'LASAG Microruptor II', which was specifically made to work in the vitreous, is focused to a 6 micron spot. In the case of small eye floaters, the energy at the focal point teases apart or breaks up the eye floater to the point of minimal perception. With the larger clumps that actually obscure vision, the laser cuts the supporting strands to drop it out of the visual axis.

Laser...focused to a 6 micron spot

LASER TREATMENT

A simple concept that requires a high level of skill and experience to avoid damage to the delicate internal structures of the eye - the source of our visual perception.......

We have the longest and largest documented clinical experience in laser floater treatment in the Western Hemisphere, and possibly the World. We are proud of our accomplishments in this field.

The Actual Procedure

Patients from out of town should expect to spend at least 3 days. Laser is a outpatient/office procedure with virtually no recovery time. Normal activities can usually be resumed after dilating drops wear off - about 3 - 6 hours.

            Scott Geller M.D. performs a wide range of ophthalmic surgical procedures for conditions such as cataract, glaucoma, corneal disease, and refractive errors. His special interest in vitreous floaters has helped thousands of patients from around the world who have sought his help. Dr. Geller is usually available to speak with potential patients, or their ophthalmologists. Call us during normal hours (eastern US time) at 239-275-8222 or 877-371-3937 (free call in the US). Web video conference is available throught iChat/AOL or YahooIM. Call us for details.

Treatment of disabling and disturbing floaters has helped thousands of our patients over the last 15 years. See what they say by visiting our website.

WHO CAN WE HELP?

                Scott Geller MD and the staff at South Florida Eyehave helped thousands of patients over the past 20 years. We have the largest series of patients Worldwide and have the experience to know who can be treated safely. The prognosis for treatment varies with the type of eye floater, so please review the information presented carefully. Patients come from all over the World to our facility, and our intention is to make sure a consultation with us is a worthwhile experience.
We have grouped patients into several general catagories for simplicity.

Which patient is the easiest to treat?

MID VITREOUS FIIBRILLAR MASSES
These patients are the EASIEST to TREAT. The age range is usually 40 - 55 years. A large mass that appears to the doctor like a ball of lint. It is well suspended in the mid vitreous, and the rest of the vitreous is generally clear. It OBSCURES the OBjECT the patient is observing, and does not move easily. There is no posterior vitreous detachment. It is especially disabling to one-eyed patients. In almost all cases, merely getting it out of the visual axis has a dramatic effect.

How soon might I start seeing naturally occurring floaters in my eye?

                Patients may be as young as 35 years old.  Some patients experience VITREOUS SYNERESIS STRANDS.  This is a condition in which, the vitreous gel has liquefied somewhat and the normally invisible fibers have aggregated into many stands and clumps that are very mobile with clear liquid vitreous in between. Patients are often nearsighted and range from 35 - 70 years. Laser can eliminate a lot, but there still is some floater perception after treatment.

If I have an obstruction in my vision after a LASIK procedure, what can I do next?

               In LASIK patients, the suction ring placed on the eye has literally sucked a peripheral opacity to the central pre macular area. These floaters tend to be extremely disturbing to young patients, and are extremely difficult to treat. Even with success, there are often some residual opacities. These patients are advised to have their local ophthalmologist examine them with a 'Goldmann Lens'. It is the ONLY way to really visualize these floaters. They usually CANNOT be seen with a standard slit lamp - ophthalmoscope examination. If they can't be easily seen by your ophthalmologist, they are probably too small or vague to be lasered.

How difficult is it to come to your office for treatment?

               Getting here is easy. Fort Myers is a resort area on the west coast of Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. The Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is 25 minutes away by car. Miami and Tampa airports are about a 2 hour drive. All major airlines fly here. LTU airlines provides direct service from Germany. Airfares and accommodations are cheaper in the low season April 30 - November 30.  If you are in the Southwest Florida area, please see the associated map.