Vitrectomy for floaters: prospective efficacy analyses and retrospective safety profile

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Innovation
• Visual Neuroscience

Background:

• Vitreous floaters are common, impacting visual quality but with unclear mechanisms.
• Existing treatments for floaters carry significant risks of retinal tears (30%) and cataracts (50-76%).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of floaters on contrast sensitivity function.
• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a minimally invasive vitrectomy technique for treating floaters.
• To assess if this technique reduces the incidence of post-vitrectomy retinal tears and cataracts.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-six eyes with floaters underwent evaluation, with primary etiologies including posterior vitreous detachment and myopic vitreopathy.
• Minimally invasive 25G vitrectomy was performed without inducing posterior vitreous detachment.
• Efficacy was assessed using contrast sensitivity testing and visual function questionnaires; safety was evaluated through long-term follow-up.

Main Results:

• Floater patients exhibited significantly reduced contrast sensitivity (67% attenuation) compared to controls.
• Vitrectomy normalized contrast sensitivity within one week, with sustained improvements up to 9 months.
• Patient-reported visual satisfaction improved significantly post-surgery, and the incidence of retinal tears and cataracts was markedly reduced (0% and 23.5%, respectively).

Conclusions:

• Floaters significantly impair contrast sensitivity function.
• Minimally invasive vitrectomy, without posterior vitreous detachment induction, is an effective and safe treatment for floaters.
• This technique substantially reduces the risks of retinal tears and cataracts, improving patient visual function and satisfaction.