Eye floaters are small grey or black specks that drift across the field of vision. The specks contain a gel-like substance (vitreous) and can take on various shapes or sizes. The blurred dots are most noticeable when an individual is looking at a blank background.
 

You might experience floaters when staring at a bright computer screen, blank paper, or a perfect blue sky. In most cases, floaters should not cause concern.
 

What Causes Eye Floaters

Eye floaters occur when the eye fluid (vitreous humor) changes its thickness, causing threads or squiggly lines in the vision. The humor lifts from the surface, pulling on the retina and creating tension. Also known as myodesopsias, eye floaters can occur at any time but are more common as people age.
 

In most cases, they do not require treatment. You should contact your eye doctor if you experience the sudden onset of numerous floaters. You may also experience flashes of light (photopsias) with the floaters. Trying to blink away the floaters does not move them.
 

Identifying Eye Floaters

As floaters move across the center of the retina (macula), they cause shadows. The retina is the part of the eye that reacts to light and transmits signals to the brain. Some people describe eye floaters as cobweb-like features, while others see them like clouds or amoebas.
 

For others, floaters look like dark spots, squiggly lines, thread-like strands, spider-like shapes, and shadowy shapes. In most cases, eye floaters are a normal part of aging as the vitreous shrinks with age. Regular eye exams help to ensure eye floaters are not due to serious eye issues.
 

Eye Floaters and Vision Changes

Eye floaters can occur in one or both eyes, as the eyes do not always age in the same way. Sometimes, the vitreous shrinks faster in one eye. Experiencing eye floaters is normal, but if you notice a new cluster of floaters simultaneously, contact your eye doctor. The severity or level can vary.
 

Schedule an appointment if you experience sudden vision changes. They could be a symptom of a severe eye condition, such as retinal detachment or diabetic retinopathy. Eye floaters can also be symptoms of eye inflammation or tumors.
 

Risk Factors for Eye Floaters

Occasional eye floaters can occur at any time, but they become more prevalent between 50 and 70. Risk factors for floaters include:
 

·      Being over 50.

·      Being myopic or nearsighted.

·      A family history of retinal detachment or retinal tears.

·      A history of eye inflammation (uveitis).

·      Cataract surgery.
 

If you are under 50 years and experience frequent eye floaters, consult your eye doctor. The doctor can diagnose floaters during a dilated eye exam.
 

Treatment for Eye Floaters

In most cases, doctors will recommend observation without treatment for floaters. While they can be irritating, they are often harmless. They usually drift out of sight, and you do not notice them after a while. However, frequent floaters in the line of vision can be frustrating. For some individuals, the doctor may recommend treatment, depending on the underlying cause. A vitrectomy is a surgical process to remove floaters.
 

Eye floaters are not usually an emergency, and you should not worry about occasional sightings. Contact your doctor if you have a sudden increase in floaters or if they are adversely affecting your vision.
 

For more on whether eye floaters are playing tricks on your vision, visit San Marino Optometry at our office in San Marino, California. We proudly serve the San Marino, San Gabriel, and Arcadia communities. Call (626) 415-3600 to book an appointment today.