Myths:

Nothing can be done about floaters.

Facts:

There may be treatment and prevention through proper diet and supplements.

Overview:

Floaters are an appropriate name for these small dark shapes that appear before your eyes, because float through your field of vision is precisely what they do. They are clumps of protein. These spots may look like dots, squiggles, strands or any of a hundred other shapes. Though annoying, floaters are harmless, and there are ways to prevent them through proper diet.

Warning: If you suddenly become aware of new spots in our vision, see your eye doctor right away to rule out serious problems.

Symptoms:

• Little dots or dust floating around your eye

Causes:

Most floaters are the result of bits of cells that remain in the vitreous humor after birth and float around when the vitreous becomes more liquified later in life.

Over 50% of people over 70 years of age report seeing floaters. Most floaters are age-related. The vitreous humour thickens and clumps as we age, and floaters result from the clumped vitreous gel.

Other spots can be caused by little bits of protein trapped within the eye during pregnancy. Trauma to the eye or breakdown of the vitreous humour may also cause spots and floaters. Many floaters remain in the eye for long periods of time before they gradually disappear.

Floaters are commonly found in nearsighted people and people with food allergies and candidiasis. Vitreous detachment is also common in diabetics, but the highest rate of complaints of floaters is in people over the age of 70. This is when the prevalence of a vitreous detachment jumps from 10% of the population to 63%.

From a Chinese Medicine perspective, floaters are an indication of congestion in the liver, kidney and colon. The herbs and nutrients we recommend below are chosen for their abilities to eliminate congestion in these organs in order to keep the vitreous of the eye clear from these annoying specks, as well as to help strengthen the retinal tissue and integrity of the blood vessels.

Finally, we believe chronic stress in one's life may also play a role in the generation of floaters, so having a daily routine of relaxation and meditation is very important.

IMPORTANT NOTE: A sudden increase of floaters can be an indication of a vitreous or retinal detachment. People who are very nearsighted and/or diabetic are particularly prone to floaters and retinal tears. If you suddenly new floaters, make an appointment with your eye doctor immediately.

See "Drugs That Harm the Eyes" for a description of potentially harmful drugs.

Conventional Treatment:

There is no specific treatment for floaters. In very severe cases, the doctor may consider doing a vitrectomy, in which the vitreous fluid is removed and replaced with an artificial gel.

There are a few eye doctors that are performing laser surgery for floaters, but one of the major criteria for one's eligibility for this procedure is the location of the floaters in the vitreous fluid. In one website, they described that most people that may be eligible for laser surgery would have had a post vitreous detachment (PVD), which sometimes pushes the floaters toward the middle of the eyes and away from the retina and lens.

This procedure has not yet been excepted by most of the medical community, probably due to the associated risks.

Complementary Treatment:

We recommend the following protocol to treat floaters. Where possible, we use products that can be taken in liquid form for best absorption.

To order either "Click Here" for the complete product list or click on any product below for a greater description or also to order.

We recommend following the following protocol.

If you are not sure which nutrients you need, we offer free consultations either by e-mail or by telephone (845-255-8222).

Essential: ReVision Formula is an herbal tincture from Integral Health Associates that combines Western and Chinese herbs to help improve blood circulation and eliminate stagnation of energy to the eyes. This is done by cleansing and supporting the Liver, which in Chinese medicine is responsible for the health of the eyes. Cost is $22 per 2 ounce bottle ($20.00 automatic delivery price). Each bottle lasts approximately 1 month. Recommended dosage is 1/2 dropperful 2 times a day for prevention, or 3 times a day for treatment. Best times to take the herbs are when you get up in the morning, and when you go to sleep at night. Best taken on an empty stomach.

OR

Essential Milk Thistle Capsules Each bottle contains 100 - 250 mg capsules. Cost is $16 per bottle ($14 on automatic delivery).

Important: Pure Focus offered through Nutritional Focus, is in liquid form and contains lutein, zeaxanthin, vinpocetine and small levels of vitamin E to support absorption. Lutein and zeaxanthin filter light, and serve as potent free radical scavengers for the retina. Vinpocetine improves the utilization of glucose and oxygen in the brain and retina. Cost to patient is $28 per month for the first 2 months ($24 per month on automatic delivery), then $14 per month thereafter. Recommended dosage is 1 pump 5 times per day under the tongue for the first two months, then 1 pump 3 times per day under the tongue thereafter.
Helpful MSM Eyedrops soften the membranes, allowing fluids to pass through the optical tissues. When our optical membranes become permeable, nutrients are able to penetrate through the optical tissues and provide nutrients needed for the body to heal itself. MSM softens tough-leathery tissue, equalizes pressure, repairs damaged membranes, clears up red spots and broken blood vessels and may help remove floaters and other eye particles. Cost is $8 per 1 oz bottle.
Helpful: One Plus Vitamin Mineral: Excellent vitamin and mineral formula with digestive enzymes and green food. Cost is $32 per bottle for 1 month supply (or $30 per bottle on automatic delivery).
Helpful: PaleoGreens Formula is excellent Green formula with a full array of organic vegetables, organic fruits and wheatgrasses. Cost is $42 per bottle ($40 per bottle on automatic delivery)

Automatic delivery is available. Click Here for more information.

Self Help:

Maintain a healthy diet:

1. Daily juicing of vegetables and fruits (preferably organic). Our floater recipe is some combination of the following: garlic, parsley, beets, carrots, celery, parsnip, apple, raspberries (not too much fruit). For more information, go to "Click Here".
2. Supplement your diet with a good multivitamin such as One Plus Vitamin Mineral: or PaleoGreens Formula.
3. For protein, emphasize fish, soy (in moderation), almonds, sunflower seed and sesame seeds. avoid meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products and most other nuts.
4. Eat brown rice and other whole grains instead of refined and processed grains (such as white bread and pasta)
5. Limit your intake of citrus fruit, particularly those high in vitamin C such as tangerines, kiwi fruit, oranges, lemons, papayas and pineapples. Some research has indicated that consumption of greater than 1500 mg per day may contribute to increased floaters.
6. Use unsulfered molasses and fruit juices for sweetening instead of white sugar, chocolate or honey.
7. Drink rice, almond or soy milk, herb tea or unsweetened, diluted from fruit juices instead of coffee, tea, alcohol and dairy drinks.
8. Steam or bake foods instead of frying them.
9. Eat lots of vegetables, but avoid the nightshade family (e.g., tomatoes, green peppers, white potatoes and eggplant)
10. Minimize your use of salt.
11. Try to manage your stress. Take up Yoga, Tai Chi, meditation, walks in nature, or prayer on a daily basis.