Eye floaters are mostly caused by changes in the vitreous of the eye brought on by age. Tiny fibers in the jelly-like substance inside the eyes tend to clump causing shadows on the retina. When this happens, eye floaters are noticeable in vision. Eye floaters are generally painless and more of a nuisance than any cause for worry. Eye floaters in vision occur in normal aging as the vitreous partially liquifies causing it to pull away from the eyeball’s interior surface. The vitreous shrinks and blocks some of the light passing through the eye. Eye floaters look like little spots, lines or shapes that float across the field of vision. Overtime, eye floaters tend to settle no longer impeding vision. However, there can be other causes of eye floaters including those that are potentially serious.
Are floaters in your vision serious? When should I see an ophthalmologist for eye floaters? If you notice more eye floaters than normal, a sudden onset of new floaters, flashes of light in the same eye as floaters, and any loss to your peripheral vision, these symptoms may indicate a serious problem such as inflammation at the back of the eye, bleeding in the eye, or retinal detachment-which requires immediate medical attention to preserve vision. Risk factors for eye floaters include those aged 50 or older, nearsightedness, eye trauma, complications from cataract surgery, diabetic retinopathy and eye inflammation. Ultimately, eye floaters can indicate a serious condition, so it is best to err on the side of caution and make an appointment with your eye doctor to diagnose and monitor any eye floaters. Anytime your vision is affected, it is important to let your doctor know.
Eliminate your worry over how serious eye floaters can be by scheduling a comprehensive eye exam with Eye Institute of South Jersey, P.C. If you are seeing gray or black spots, thread-like strings, cobwebs, wavy lines, or darkness around your peripheral vision, it is time to schedule an appointment by calling 856-205-1100 or filling out the request form here WEBSITE.