What is asteroid hyalosis?
Asteroid hyalosis is a fairly rare, harmless eye condition in which calcium crystals form inside the eye. The name comes from the fact that the calcium crystals look like asteroids on the examination by the eye doctor and are seen in the vitreous gel (also known as the hyaloid) that fills the eye. These calcium crystals form slowly over time, usually in just one eye. Asteroid hyalosis is not considered an eye disease and rarely causes problems with the vision.
What causes asteroid hyalosis?
The cause is not known. Limited research has been carried out because asteroid hyalosis does not harm the eye. It is usually well-tolerated and may be observed by the eye doctor. Asteroid hyalosis is not associated with calcium-related problem outside the eye.
What symptoms may be seen?
Many patients have no symptoms at all, but sometimes floaters are seen. Floaters are small specks, fibers, or bug-shaped objects that may appear to move in front of your eye. At times they may appear like a veil or cloud moving in the vision. They are frequently seen when looking at a blank wall or blue sky. Usually, they can be ignored and tolerated.
What should be done about the symptoms?
The most important step is to have a thorough dilated eye examination. The eye doctor will check for the presence of a tear in the retina. If the retina is stable, the asteroid hyalosis may be observed without treatment. If the floaters become a problem for the patient and interfere with vision, vitrectomy surgery may be considered to remove the asteroid hyalosis.
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