Spots and Floaters

What are Spots and Floaters?

All optometrists know what those little squiggly lines are that glide and coast around your field of vision. They are called ‘vitreous floaters’, ‘eye floaters’ or just ‘floaters’.

If you have just discovered new floaters you will notice that they can look like black or gray strings or cobwebs. Usually, they jump away when you try to look at them directly. 

You usually notice floaters when looking at a blank wall or a blue sky. Once you start seeing floaters in your vision, it is hard to ignore them.

Are eye floaters normal?

Floaters aren’t a sign that your vision is going bad. Many people with excellent vision experience floaters. While floaters may be kind of annoying, they are very common, and they are usually harmless. 

What should you know about floaters?

Although floaters look like they are in front of your eye, they’re actually inside your eye.

Your eye is filled with a clear gel called ‘vitreous.’ It is mostly water, but it contains a protein called collagen. Vitreous helps your eye maintain its round shape – kind of like a little balloon filled with water takes on a ball shape.

The vitreous gel becomes more watery as we age. As this happens, bits of collagen in the vitreous can clump together and form irregular, little lint-like structures. 

When these clumps float past your macula (the centre of your retina), they cast shadows. It’s the shadows that we perceive as floaters.

Who is at risk of floaters?

Anyone can get floaters, but they are more common in people over 40. 

What causes eye floaters?

You may be more likely to develop floaters if you are near-sighted or have diabetic retinopathy. Floaters can also form if you have had a serious injury to your eye or cataract surgery complications.

How can I get rid of eye floaters?

The internet is awash with eye drops, medications, and vitamins that promise to eliminate floaters. They don’t work.

Your best option is to maintain a healthy diet for eyes; foods rich with omega-3 fatty acids, including fish, nuts and seeds and plant oils.

Water is important. 

Floaters form because of toxin build up, and drinking more water makes your flushes out the toxins, and makes your body feel better.

What is the difference between floaters and flashes?

Noticing a few floaters from time to time is nothing to worry about. Floaters themselves aren’t dangerous. 

If however, you see a sudden shower of floaters and spots, especially if they come with flashes of light, you should seek medical attention immediately. These flashes could be symptoms of a vitreous detachment or a retinal detachment.

What happens if I have a vitreous detachment?

A vitreous detachment is when an entire section of the vitreous detaches from the retina. 

If the vitreous detaches from the retina forcefully, it causes a torn retina, or retinal detachment, which is when all or part of the retina peels away from the back of the eye.

It’s important that you contact your GP, optometrist or ophthalmologist as soon as possible if you experience symptoms like this. 

Without surgery, a detachment can cause complete and permanent loss of vision.

Is there a surgical treatment for floaters?

Most floaters are harmless, but there are surgical treatments available for people who are contending with large and persistent floaters. 

These eye surgeries are performed by ophthalmologists and are reserved  for severe symptoms of floaters. 

When should I consult an optometrist?

With time, most floaters will move out of your field of vision and become less annoying. 

If the floaters don’t fade away naturally or if there is a sudden increase of floaters in your vision, especially if they are accompanied by flashes of light, see an optometrist immediately.