Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments of Eye Floaters

10. The role of laser treatment in eye care

In recent years, doctors have shifted to using a procedure called laser vitreolysis. It is safer than a vitrectomy because it is not nearly as invasive. A technician uses a machine to project a laser into the eye, through the pupil, and onto the floaters. This breaks the floaters apart or destroys them entirely, clearing the patient's vision. In patients under the age of 45, however, the floaters tend to sit too close to the retina for this procedure to safely eliminate them. In general, the risks of laser therapy include damage to the retina.