You may notice while looking at a bright screen or a beautiful blue sky that there are tiny spots or lines in your field of vision. They may be small, dark, and almost transparent, or they may be larger and cloudier. These spots or lines are known as eye floaters.
Floaters usually cast a shadow on the retina, making them more visible when you look at a bright, solid background such as a blue sky or white paper. Floaters appear to move along with your eyes because they sit in the vitreous humor—the clear jelly-like substance that fills the inside of your eyeball.
Floaters can be annoying, but they’re usually nothing to worry about. In this blog post, we’ll share more information about eye floaters.
What causes eye floaters?
Age-related changes
Eye floaters are usually caused by age-related changes in the vitreous humor. As we age, some of the collagen and other proteins within the vitreous start to break down and form clumps. These clumps cast shadows on the retina (the light-sensitive membrane at the back of your eye), which you see as floaters.
Eye conditions, disease, injury, migraines, retinal detachment
Eye floaters can also be caused by bleeding in the eye, diabetes, migraine attacks, or eye injuries. In these cases, floaters tend to be more numerous, larger, and more prominent and can also be accompanied by light flashes.
If you experience a sudden increase in floaters with light flashes, it’s important to seek urgent medical care as this could suggest retinal detachment—where part of your retina has detached from its normal position at the back of your eye. This can cause vision loss if not treated immediately.
Most people have minor floaters from time to time without any problems. However, if you develop new eye floaters, it’s best to see an optometrist in case they are a sign of a more serious eye problem.
Are there any treatments for floaters?
In most cases, treatment for floaters isn’t necessary as they don’t affect your vision and eventually settle down at the bottom of your eyeball out of harm’s way. If you’re particularly bothered by them, however, two types of surgical procedures can sometimes help:
Vitrectomy
During this operation, the vitreous is removed from your eye and replaced with either saline (a sterile saltwater solution) or silicone oil to help keep your retina in place while it heals. A vitrectomy is one of the procedures used to repair a detached retina, which can cause a sudden increase in the number of eye floaters.
Laser surgery
During this operation, very fine laser beams are used to break up clumps of cells so that they disperse into smaller, less noticeable pieces.
Conclusion
While floaters are usually nothing to worry about, it’s best to speak to an optometrist if you experience sudden onset floaters or increased floater activity. There are two types of surgical procedures available if you want to explore treatment options further.
If you are concerned about your eye floaters, our experienced optometrist at Lighthouse Vision will dilate your eyes during a comprehensive eye exam in Milford to determine the cause of the floaters. If your eye problem is ongoing and not an emergency, you can schedule an appointment online. If you notice a sudden increase in floaters, contact us immediately at 203-783-9632 for emergency care.
