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Medical Author:

John D. Sheppard, MD, MMSc

Coauthor:

David M. Salib, MD

Medical Editor:

Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACS

Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACS

Andrew A. Dahl, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist. Dr. Dahl's educational background includes a BA with Honors and Distinction from Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, and an MD from Cornell University, where he was selected for Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society. He had an internal medical internship at the New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center.

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Benign eye floaters cannot be prevented. They occur at all ages and most frequently for no apparent reason. Because some floaters follow ocular injury, prevention of eye trauma is a wise strategy. Projectile sports such as baseball, squash, racket ball, and lacrosse should always incorporate an eye-protection regimen. Competitive combat sports such as karate should also require eye protection.

Pathologic floaters due to diabetic disease can be prevented by regular examinations and exquisite control of blood sugar. Highly myopic patients who are also at increased risk of retinal detachment should also have regular at least yearly eye examinations.

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