Eye floaters are often described as tiny specks, spots, or cobweb-like structures that drift across your field of vision. They move as your eyes move, and they seem to dart away when you try to look at them directly. These floaters are actually tiny clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous, the clear jelly-like substance that fills the back of your eye.

The Main Causes of Eye Floaters

The main cause of eye floaters is a process called vitreous syneresis. As we age, the vitreous, a gel-like substance that makes up about 80 percent of the eye's volume, begins to shrink and becomes somewhat liquefied. This causes the vitreous to clump together, creating floaters.

Another common cause of eye floaters is posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). This is a condition where the vitreous gel separates from the retina. As the vitreous detaches and shrinks, it may cause small bits of its tissue to float within the gel, creating floaters. PVD is more common in people over the age of 50 and those who are nearsighted.

Eye floaters can also be caused by certain eye diseases or conditions, including retinal detachment, retinal tears, bleeding within the eye, or inflammation in the posterior eye segment. Trauma to the eye or eye surgery can also cause floaters.

 

Common Risk Factors for Eye Floaters

While anyone can develop eye floaters, certain factors can increase your risk. Age is a major risk factor, as the vitreous tends to change in consistency and shrink with age, leading to floater formation. People over the age of 50 are particularly at risk.

Nearsightedness is another risk factor, as it often comes with a longer eyeball, making it more likely for the vitreous to detach and cause floaters. Other risk factors include having had cataract surgery or YAG laser eye surgery, both of which can cause changes in the vitreous that lead to floaters.

Certain medical conditions can also increase your risk of developing floaters. These include diabetes, which can lead to diabetic retinopathy and cause bleeding in the eye, and inflammatory diseases such as uveitis, which can cause inflammation in the eye and lead to floaters.

 

Symptoms Related to Eye Floaters

Eye floaters are typically seen as small moving spots in your field of vision. They can appear as black or gray dots, lines, cobwebs, or blobs. Since they are inside your eye, they move as your eyes move and seem to dart away when you try to look at them directly.

While most floaters are not harmful and are merely annoying, there can be symptoms related to floaters that require immediate medical attention. These include a sudden increase in the number of floaters, flashes of light in the same eye as the floaters, a loss of peripheral vision, or the appearance of a shadow in your field of vision. These could be signs of retinal detachment, a serious condition that can cause permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.

 

When to See an Optometrist

While most floaters are harmless, it is important to see an optometrist if you notice a sudden increase in the number of floaters, especially if they are accompanied by flashes of light or a loss of peripheral vision. These could be signs of a retinal tear or detachment, which is a medical emergency.

If you have floaters and notice changes in them, such as an increase in their size or number, you should also see an optometrist. Changes could indicate that the condition causing the floaters is worsening.

If your floaters are so numerous or large that they significantly interfere with your vision, your optometrist may suggest treatment options to help reduce or eliminate the floaters.

 

Preventive Measures and Treatment Options

While you cannot prevent floaters caused by aging or myopia, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help keep your eyes healthy. This includes consuming a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids, not smoking, and wearing protective eyewear to prevent trauma to the eyes.

Currently, there is no medication or eye drop to cure or reduce floaters. However, they often fade over time and become less bothersome. In severe cases where floaters interfere with vision, a vitrectomy or laser vitreolysis may be recommended. Vitrectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the vitreous and replaces it with a salt solution, while laser vitreolysis uses a laser to break up the floaters.

 

Navigating Eye Floaters Effectively

Eye floaters are a common, usually harmless, vision phenomenon caused by changes in the vitreous of the eye. While they can be bothersome, they are often not a cause for concern. However, a sudden increase in floaters, especially if accompanied by flashes of light or loss of peripheral vision, can be a sign of a serious condition like retinal detachment and should be evaluated by an optometrist immediately.

To learn more about eye floaters, visit Federal Hill Eye Care in our Baltimore, Maryland, office. Call (410) 752-8208 to schedule an appointment.