Bothersome floater remains in eye

Dear Dr. Roach: I have a transparent floater in one eye that stays in the same general area. I went to an optometrist just told me if I started seeing “curtains, light flashes, changes” to return. My brother swears that eating fresh pineapple daily worked for him. What are your thoughts on this “cure”?

L.M.

Answer: Floaters are bits of protein in the jelly-like fluid in the back of the eye, called the vitreous humor, which cast a shadow on the retina. They are transparent grey specks that seem to float in the visual field. Floaters can be normal, but a sudden increase in the number of floaters, especially with any visual change of the type your optometrist mentioned, should cause you to see your eye specialist immediately, as it can indicate a serious eye problem.

I think I can guess why your brother thought pineapple might help. Pineapple contains an enzyme that digests protein; unfortunately, the enzyme is broken down in the gut and doesn’t make it into the blood, let alone into the vitreous humor of your eyeballs.

Dear Dr Roach: Iama 67-year-old healthy, active woman. Recently, I was in the hospital for a case of transient global amnesia that was diagnosed as a fluke phenomenon. Nonetheless, in an MRI, it was discovered that I have a 3-mm aneurysm on the anterior communicating artery.

The neuro team has suggested watching it with scans, starting at six months. I am on baby aspirin, 40 mg of Lipitor and 25 mg of metoprolol. I’m having a very hard time adjusting to this. I think about it constantly. I have lost my appetite and am worried about everything. I’m wondering what I can do. (Hoping not to worry to death.) T.W.

Answer: You don’t need to be so worried. Most aneurysms like these are never destined to rupture. It is likely that even without treatment, this will never bother you. About 3% of the population has an aneurysm, but only 0.5% will die from one. I think checking on the size in six months is a good idea. If it hasn’t grown, most experts recommend a yearly test for a few years, and then every two to five years after that.