Even if you’ve never noticed eye floaters, you probably have a few—they are small spots that drift around in your field of vision. “They may look like circles, strings, or even cobwebs,” said Jillian Colson, MD, a comprehensive ophthalmologist with Banner – University Medicine Ophthalmology Clinic in Tucson, AZ.
You might see them when you’re looking at the blue sky, a light-colored wall or your computer monitor. They can pop up in your peripheral vision and if they catch your attention and you try to look at them, they drift away. You’re more likely to get them if you’re nearsighted, or as you age.
Here’s what typically causes eye floaters
Eye floaters develop when the gel like substance that fills your eyes, called the vitreous humor, shrinks and condenses, Dr. Colson said. Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to prevent them.
You might find eye floaters annoying, but they are almost always harmless, and they usually don’t need treatment. In very rare cases, if they’re significantly interfering with your vision, they can be removed with surgery.
Signs your eye floaters might need expert evaluation
“Eye floaters that require treatment are usually associated with other eye conditions,” Dr. Colson said. Watch for these symptoms that could point to an eye problem:
- Sudden, numerous eye floaters
- Flashes of light
- Decreased vision
- Curtains or shadows in the vision
- Eye pain
- Floaters after trauma to the eye
Light flashes or shadows could be signs of a retinal tear or detached retina. You should seek care right away—an ophthalmologist can perform an eye exam, dilate your eye to look for damage and perform laser treatment or surgery if necessary. Acting quickly and seeing an eye doctor can increase your odds of preserving your vision.
Diabetes or eye injury can also cause eye floaters that stem from inflammation or bleeding in the eye, and they need to be evaluated and treated.
The bottom line
Eye floaters are common, and they might be a nuisance, but they’re usually not anything to worry about. If you have a lot of floaters or a sudden increase in floaters or other eye symptoms along with eye floaters, seek medical care right away. To find an ophthalmologist, visit bannerhealth.com.
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