Zap those pesky floaters?

Article

Is it possible to "zap" vitreous floaters away? John Karickhoff, Virginia, USA, thinks so and has performed 1,400 procedures over the last 15 years, despite most ophthalmologists thinking that it is unnecessary.

Is it possible to "zap" vitreous floaters away? John Karickhoff, Virginia, USA, thinks so and has performed 1,400 procedures over the last 15 years, despite most ophthalmologists thinking that it is unnecessary.

There is little peer reviewed literature about the laser procedure and, although it does appear to be safe, reports of its effectiveness appear to be mixed. Karickhoff claims that the success rate of such studies have not been as high as his because the technique requires a specific intensity of laser beam.

A spokesman for the American Academy of Ophthalmology acknowledged that the treatment can be successful and carries few risks but emphasized that any risk is unacceptable for treating such a benign condition.

Newsletter

Join ophthalmologists across Europe—sign up for exclusive updates and innovations in surgical techniques and clinical care.

Recent Videos
Christine Curcio, PhD, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, shares histology update and revised nomenclature for OCT with Sheryl Stevenson of the Eye Care Network and Ophthalmology Times
SriniVas R. Sadda, MD, FARVO, shares key points from his retina presentation at the International SPECTRALIS Symposium
Robert Sergott, MD, describes fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy (FLIO) and the International SPECTRALIS Symposium – And Beyond (ISS) in Heidelberg, Germany.
Rayaz Malik, MBChB, PhD, a professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, spoke with Ophthalmology Times Europe about his presentation. It's titled "An eye on neurodegenerative diseases: Challenging the dogma" at the International SPECTRALIS Sympsoium. In conversation with Hattie Hayes, Ophthalmology Times Europe
Anat Loewenstein, MD, describes her presentation on remote imaging for age-related macular degeneration and geographic atrophy at the International SPECTRALIS Symposium, in conversation with Hattie Hayes of Ophthalmology Times Europe
Tyson Brunstetter, OD, PhD, a US Navy Aerospace Optometrist at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, shares key takeaways from his keynote at the International SPECTRALIS Symposium (ISS)
Rayaz Malik, MBChB, PhD, shares his presentation, titled An eye on neurodegenerative diseases: Challenging the dogma, at this year's International SPECTRALIS Symposium
At the Retina World Congress, Siegfried Priglinger, MD, speaks about ensuring the best outcomes for preschool-aged patients
At the 2025 ASCRS meeting, Robert Ang, MD said small aperture IOLs can benefit all patients, especially those with complex corneas or who have undergone previous corneal refractive surgery
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.