What Are Eye Floaters?
Eye floaters appear as black spots, strings, or hazy waves drifting in your field of vision. They occur when tiny particles in the vitreous humor, the gel-like substance inside your eye, cast shadows on the retina. While floaters are usually harmless, a sudden increase in their number or accompanying flashes of light could signal an underlying eye condition that needs medical attention.
Causes of Eye Floaters
The primary cause of floaters is age-related changes in the vitreous humor, leading to liquefaction and clumping of microscopic fibers. Other causes include:
- Severe nearsightedness (myopia)
- Eye trauma or injury
- Eye inflammation (uveitis)
- Cataract surgery complications
- Diabetes-related eye disease (diabetic retinopathy)
- Retinal detachment or tears (which require immediate medical attention)
Symptoms of Eye Floaters
Common symptoms include:
- Small black or gray dots drifting in vision
- Wavy lines, cobwebs, or rings
- Floating specks that move with eye movement
- Increased visibility in bright light or against white backgrounds
A sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light (photopsia), or a dark shadow in peripheral vision could indicate a retinal tear or detachment, requiring urgent medical evaluation.
Can Eye Floaters Heal Naturally?
Though floaters do not completely disappear, most people notice improvement over time due to:
- Natural settling – Floaters move to the periphery of vision, becoming less noticeable.
- Brain adaptation – The brain learns to ignore them through neural adaptation.
Medical Treatments for Eye Floaters
If floaters interfere with daily life, two treatments exist:
- Laser Vitreolysis – A non-invasive laser breaks large floaters into smaller, less noticeable fragments.
- Vitrectomy – A surgical procedure that removes the vitreous humor, replacing it with a saline-like solution. Risks include:
- Retinal detachment
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
Since surgery carries risks, it is typically reserved for severe cases.
Preventing Eye Floaters
- Routine eye exams – Essential for those over 40.
- Protect your eyes – Avoid rubbing the eyes or eye injuries.
- Manage underlying conditions – Diabetes, inflammation, or high myopia increase floater risk.
- Monitor vision changes – Sudden or worsening symptoms require immediate medical attention.
Final Thoughts
Eye floaters are often harmless and tend to fade over time. However, worsening symptoms, vision loss, or flashes of light require an urgent eye exam to rule out serious conditions like retinal detachment.
For persistent floaters, discussing laser treatment or surgery with an ophthalmologist can help determine the best solution. Maintaining good eye health through regular checkups and preventive care remains the best strategy for managing floaters and avoiding complications.