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If you’ve ever noticed tiny specks, threads, or cobweb-like shapes drifting across your vision—especially when gazing at a bright sky or a white wall—you’ve likely encountered eye floaters. These visual disturbances are common and, in most cases, harmless. However, understanding what they are, why they occur, and when to seek medical attention is crucial for maintaining optimal eye health.
What Are Eye Floaters?
Eye floaters are small, shadowy shapes that appear in your field of vision. They can take various forms, such as:
- Black or gray dots
- Squiggly lines
- Thread-like strands
- Cobwebs
- Small, shadowy shapes
These floaters move as your eyes move, often darting away when you try to look at them directly. They are most noticeable when looking at a plain, bright background, like a clear blue sky or a white wall.
Causes of Eye Floaters
The primary cause of eye floaters is age-related changes in the vitreous humor—the jelly-like substance that fills the inside of your eyes. As you age, the vitreous can liquefy and shrink, causing microscopic collagen fibers within it to clump together. These clumps cast tiny shadows on your retina, which you perceive as floaters/
Other causes of eye floaters include:
- Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD): A condition where the vitreous pulls away from the retina, common in individuals over 50.
- Retinal Tears or Detachment: Serious conditions where the retina peels away from its underlying layer, requiring immediate medical attention.
- Inflammation in the Eye (Uveitis): Can cause the release of inflammatory debris into the vitreous, leading to floaters.
- Hemorrhaging: Bleeding into the vitreous due to injury, diabetic retinopathy, or hypertension.
- Eye Surgeries and Medications: Certain procedures and drugs can increase the likelihood of developing floaters.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While most eye floaters are benign, certain symptoms warrant prompt evaluation by an eye care professional:
- A sudden increase in the number of floaters
- Flashes of light in the same eye as the floaters
- Loss of peripheral vision or a shadow over your vision
- Eye pain or discomfort
These symptoms could indicate serious conditions like retinal detachment, which can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.
Diagnosis of Eye Floaters
An eye doctor will perform a comprehensive eye examination to determine the cause of floaters. This may include:
- Dilated Eye Exam: Allows the doctor to examine the retina and vitreous humor thoroughly.
- Ocular Ultrasound: Used if the view of the retina is obscured.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): Provides detailed images of the retina’s layers.
These tests help rule out serious conditions and determine the appropriate course of action.
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