Eye Floaters: What Are They and What Causes Them?
Have you ever looked at a computer screen, the sky, or a lighter background and noticed what seemed to be small specks floating around in your vision? Perhaps you took a few hard blinks, but they were still there.
We promise you’re not seeing things! Those little particles are called eye floaters.
What Are Eye Floaters?
Floaters, which can take on many different shapes and sizes, often appear in an eye’s line of sight as specks, thin strands, or squiggly lines.
Inside the eye, a jelly-like substance called the vitreous fills the eye and gives it shape. Sometimes small clumps can form in this gel, which can cause shadows to appear on the back of your eye. These are called eye floaters or just “floaters.”
What Are Symptoms of Eye Floaters?
Floaters appear as small specks or strands in your vision that move away when you try to look directly at them. They can be more obvious when you’re looking at something bright.
What Causes Eye Floaters?
Floaters can form for a variety of reasons. They usually happen as the result of natural and normal aging changes in your eyes. As you get older, strands of the gel-like substance in your eyes can stick together. These clumps cast shadows on the back of your eye, causing you to see “floaters” in your vision.
Some other causes for eye floaters include:
- Infections or injuries of the eye
- Uveitis (eye inflammation)
- Eye bleeding
- Vitreous detachment (when the vitreous breaks off from the retina)
- Retinal tear or detachment
While anyone can experience floaters, those who are nearsighted, have diabetes, or have had cataract surgery may have an increased risk of getting floaters.
Are Floaters Harmful?
Floaters are usually not a concern, and they generally don’t cause harm. They tend to fade and get less noticeable over time.
However, floaters can sometimes be a sign of a more serious issue that needs to be addressed. That’s why it’s always a good idea to have your VSP® network eye doctor take a look at your eyes if you’re noticing new floaters or a sudden increase in floaters.
When Are Eye Floaters Cause for Alarm?
Floaters can sometimes appear alongside a retinal tear or detachment, which needs emergency treatment.
Seek care right away if you notice these symptoms:
- The sudden appearance of numerous new floaters
- Flashes of light
- A dark curtain or shadow in your vision
Treatment for Floaters
Whether floaters need treatment or not depends on the cause. Any time you notice a sudden onset of new floaters, seek clinical advice from your eye doctor.
If age-related eye changes are causing the occasional eye floater, and they’re not impacting your everyday life, you probably won’t need treatment.
However, if you have another eye condition that’s causing your eye floaters, you’ll likely need treatment for that underlying condition.
If floaters are impacting your vision and making it difficult to see and do your daily activities, your eye doctor may recommend a surgery called a vitrectomy.
Talk with your eye doctor to determine whether any treatment for your eye floaters is necessary.
Visit Your Eye Doctor
Even though most floaters are harmless, anytime you notice new floaters or more floaters than usual, it’s a good idea to have your VSP network eye doctor take a look and make sure there’s nothing more serious going on.
Article provided by VSP. Information received through VSP Vision Care channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.