Eye Clinic of Sandpoint

In the very back of the eye there are a couple layers that absorb light, known as the retina. Just in front of the retina there is a gel like substance known as the vitreous. This vitreous makes up the entire center portion of the eye and accounts for roughly 80% of the volume of the eye. The vitreous serves many functions, most important is maintaining the shape of the eye much like air inflates a balloon. Some other roles include keeping the retina (back tissue of the eye) adhered to back of the eye and helping bend light to focus on the retina.

As we put candles on the birthday cake (around 50 of them) this vitreous begins to breakdown and folds in on itself. This clear vitreous gel turns into an opaque strand which then casts a shadow on the retina. It is this shadow that we identify as a “floater.” They are mostly perceived as a grey/black object or linear whispy object that moves with the eye. If the floater is large enough we can begin to see it in everyday situations such as the examples given above. These changes can be slow or very sudden and depend on the individual and what caused the floater to form. Age related changes are the most likely reason for new onset floaters, but there are other conditions that can cause floaters such as: trauma, nearsighted, diabetes and previous surgeries.

Given 75% of adults have reported symptoms similar to that of a floater we can assume that floaters come in many shapes and sizes. Floaters can also be benign and not affect vision or can be quite visually debilitating. If the folds are in our visual axis (center part of vision) then we will see them and the floater will likely reduce our vision. If the floater is in the periphery then the shadows on the retina will not likely reduce vision but may be noted from time to time.

Treatment for a benign floater rarely includes anything other than monitoring. For severe cases the vitreous can be removed via surgery, but it is reserved for cases where vision is greatly hindered. The reason to monitor benign cases is because our brain learns to process out the floater with time. This likely will take months but there comes a time where the new floater diminishes and we no longer noticed it day to day. That does not mean it’s not there but we just don’t notice it as much.

The question we often get here at the Eye Clinic Of Sandpoint is “Online it says I needed to get my eyes checked right away with a new floater, why is that?” It is true that if we read anything about a floater online it will tell us to get our eyes checked immediately. The reason being, you may have experienced a retinal detachment with the new onset floater. Remember one of the key functions of the vitreous is to keep the retina adhered to the back of the eye. If the vitreous begins to fold in on itself then the retina no longer has support from the vitreous and can become detached from the back of the eye. A retinal detachment is a medical emergency which likely will cause some vision change or even vision loss.

There are some symptoms of a retinal detachment that we like to explain to our patients in addition to new onset floaters. They include, but are not limited to, new onset floaters, flashes of lights, cobweb or spider webs, sparklers in vision or a curtain that has been drawn on your vision. If any of these symptoms are noted then a medical examination is advised. The good news is not every new onset floater leads to a retinal detachment and chances are the new onset floater is benign.

In summary, we now understand the anatomy and what a floater is. We also know that it is very common and that most of the time they are benign. If you are suffering from either of these or just feel like your vision isn’t quite right, give us a call at 208-263-8501 and let us answer your questions.

Dr. Brayden Petersen earned his Doctorate of Optometry from Pacific University College of Optometry. He gained advanced training at the Forest Grove Pediatric Clinic, Salt Lake City Veterans Hospital and Eye Institute of Utah. During this time, he specialized in the treatment of ocular disease, contact lenses and comanagement of ocular surgeries.

Bonner General Ear, Nose, & Throat Clinic

Meet Dr. Anderson: Getting back to her mountain-loving roots while providing expert care to Bonner County and beyond.

by Kristin Carlson, Marketing Specialist, Bonner General Health

Bonner General Health maintains a mission of providing excellent healthcare close to home. When the continued need for a local ENT Clinic remained apparent, BGH set the wheels in motion and opened Bonner General Ear, Nose, & Throat in 2019. A robust recruitment effort landed Dr. Susan Anderson, a Montana native, anxious to return to the mountains she calls Dr. Susan Anderson home. Dr. Anderson is a Board-Certified Otolaryngologist, also known as an ear, nose, and throat physician (ENT). ENT doctors specialize in the intricate systems of the ear, nose, and throat, providing diagnosis, treatment, and surgical management of these systems.

Common ailments an ENT may treat include recurring ear infections, ear tubes, hearing loss evaluations, tinnitus, earwax removal, airway obstruction, polyps and growths, allergies, deviated septum, hoarseness, tonsil, and adenoid infections, problems swallowing, and disorders of the larynx (voice box). An ENT also treats sleep-disordered breathing and snoring and provides sleep apnea evaluations.

I was able to sit down with Dr. Anderson in between patients for a quick chat.

What was your motivation to move to Sandpoint and join the

BGH team?

I wanted to relocate to Sandpoint to be closer to my family; my father lives in Liberty Lake, Washington. I grew up in Western Montana and was anxious to return to the mountains.

What led you into the medical field, specifically the ENT specialty?

I knew I wanted to pursue a surgical field early in medical school. The anatomy of the ears, nose, and throat is complex and elegant. ENT was appealing to me because of the variety of patients seen, newborns with tongue-tie up to centenarians with hearing loss and ear wax

I’ve read studies linking hearing loss to military service.

Any insights?

Almost everyone will experience diminished hearing as we age, and accompanying this hearing loss, many will experience ringing in the ear(s) known as tinnitus. Exposure to loud noises will hasten this process, and military experience increases the risk of noise exposure. The discharge of guns is a common source of high-frequency hearing loss; veterans deployed in more recent military actions have exposure to improvised explosive devices. Other sources of noise injury include aircraft and equipment engines. Finally, some veterans suffer barotrauma, injury from the shockwave of a blast, resulting in the eardrum’s perforation or dislocation of the small bones behind the eardrum.

What can be done to help with hearing loss and tinnitus?

The only treatment available for hearing loss for most people is the use of hearing aids. Hearing aids available today are smaller in size and have increased features such as Bluetooth technology, expanding the usefulness of hearing aids. Hearing aids can be connected to smartphones, making conversation easier. Many large public buildings have hearing loops that connect hearing aids directly to public address systems.

Unfortunately, to date, there is no treatment effective for tinnitus. The majority of therapy is aimed at masking tinnitus and coping strategies.

Dr. Anderson says a newer ailment she sees related to hearing loss is in teens and adolescents associated with earbuds or headphones. Kids listen to electronic media at elevated levels, leading to high-frequency hearing loss. However, it is not just the volume causing the hearing changes but also the time spent using earbuds/headphones. Hearing damage is similar to sun damage; it is additive over time, and too much causes harm. To prevent prolonged damage, Dr. Anderson recommends kids take breaks after an hour of listening and turn the volume down to 60%. The best practice for everyone is you should be able to hear conversations going on around you while listening to your media with earbuds/headphones. Also, no one should sleep with their earbuds/headphones on; this is additional “trauma time” to your hearing.

Dr. Anderson grew up in Anaconda, MT, and attended undergraduate school at Montana State University in Bozeman. She graduated from medical school at Des Moines University in Iowa. She completed her residency at Ohio University-Doctors Hospital in Columbus, OH.

The clinic, located in the Pinegrove building in downtown Sandpoint, offers expertise in diagnostic, medical, and surgical management of diseases and disorders related to the ears, nose, throat, and head and neck structures. For more information or to reach Dr. Anderson, call Bonner General Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic at (208) 265-1003 or visit www.bonnergeneral.org.

“I am so grateful for Dr. Anderson. When I was 40 years old, I had an ultrasound on my neck where several nodules were discovered. Dr. Anderson answered all of my questions and continued to monitor annually. Fast forward two years, and after my yearly ultrasound, I noticed the right-side nodules listed as suspicious. Dr. Anderson called me on the phone and had a half-hour consultation with me. They performed a needle biopsy on both areas and some lymph nodes, and it turned out one of my nodules was cancerous. I met with Dr. Anderson, and she made me feel like I was her only patient. We discussed surgery, many options, and what she thought was best for me. She was very caring and understanding and put my worries at ease. I cannot stress how excellent Dr. Anderson and the staff has been for me. I am eternally grateful to Dr. Anderson for her guidance, care, and follow-up.” – Erin, Patient at Bonner General Ear, Nose, & Throat

Kristin Carlson holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public and Interpersonal Communication from North Carolina State University. She joined the Bonner General Health team in March 2020. Before BGH, Kristin worked as the Communications and Tourism Specialist for the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce and has experience in Project Management, Recruiting, and Administrative Roles. Her goal is to ensure individuals living in or visiting our community are aware of the exceptional care, providers, and services available at BGH.