Eye Floaters

When you see small spots that drift through your field of vision, these are referred to as eye floaters.

What are eye floaters?

Floaters are bits of cellular debris floating within the eye. They are noticeable when you look at something bright, like for example a white paper or the blue sky. They however don't interfere with your sight and thus you tend to ignore them.

What are the symptoms?

Because they cast shadows over the retina, you will see some dots that move slowly before the eyes. When you try to focus on them, they tend to dash away. They may come in different shapes, like black or gray dots, squiggling lines, threadlike strands, cobwebs, circles or ring-like shapes.

What causes floaters?

As you age the protein fibers (collagen) that make up your vitreous (the back of your eye) shrink down to little shreds that clump together. The shadows they cast on your retina are floaters. Floaters brought about by the collagen debris occur between age 50 and 70, although changes can happen at any age.

Medical problems that can cause floaters include: Diabetes mellitus (diabetic retinopathy), eye tumors, eye injury, crystal-like deposits in the vitreous, detached retina, torn retina, bleeding in the vitreous, and swollen vitreous or retina (caused by bacteria, fungus, virus, or autoimuune or unexplained medical conditions).

People who have migraine headache may see and experience floaters. Floaters herald (also called visual aura) the coming migraine headache. It can be perceived differently in migraine because the floaters can appear as "flashes" or flashbulb type floaters.

When should you go to your eye doctor?

If you see floaters that don't change over time, see your doctor. Visit your doctor if: You noticed a sudden increase in the number of floaters, you see flashes of light, and when you noticed a decreasing or loss of vision. If you have had a recent eye surgery and you see floaters, go and see your doctor.

Treatment

If it is benign or trivial, no medical treatment is needed. Medical conditions such as diabetes is addressed. Some cases may require surgery (like vitrectomy, as example).

Prevention

Ask your doctor if you need vitamin A. Apple pectin is also good for the eyes.