Eye Floaters: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
Eye floaters are often harmless, but can sometimes indicate that a serious eye problem is present. Have you ever noticed small specks or shapes floating in your vision? These are called eye floaters, and they are quite common. We will explain what causes eye floaters, how to recognize them, how to diagnose them, how to treat them, and how to prevent them in this blog post.
What are eye floaters?
Your eye floaters are tiny clumps of cells or fibers that form in the vitreous, a clear gel-like substance inside your eye. As you age, the vitreous changes its consistency and becomes more liquid and less gel-like, causing some of the cells or fibers to clump together and cast shadows on the retina. The vitreous helps maintain the shape of the eye and allows light to pass through to the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of your eye. Eye floaters are these shadows.
Black or gray dots, lines, webs, rings, and blobs may appear as eye floaters. They may move around when you move your eyes or blink, and they may seem to dart away when you try to look at them directly. A bright or plain background, such as a blue sky or white wall, makes them easier to see.
What causes eye floaters?
Eye floaters can have various causes, but most of them are related to aging or other changes in the vitreous. Some of the common causes of eye floaters are:
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It is caused by changes in the vitreous as you get older. The vitreous becomes liquefied and shrinks, causing it to pull away from the eye's inner surface, causing posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). In the vitreous, as the vitreous detaches, collagen fibers can form clumps or strands that float in the vitreous and cast shadows.
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Several conditions can cause inflammation of the eye's middle layer, the uvea, which consists of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. It can result from infections, autoimmune disorders, injuries, or surgeries. Uveitis can cause cells or debris to enter the vitreous, resulting in floating objects.
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An eye injury, disease, or trauma can cause bleeding into the vitreous. It is known as vitreous hemorrhage, and it is caused by conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, sickle cell disease, or macular degeneration. Your vision can be affected by red or black spots or streaks caused by blood cells in the vitreous.
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Tears or detachments of the retina. A retina is a thin layer of tissue that lines the back of your eye and converts light into nerve signals. It can sometimes tear or detach from its support tissues. A retinal tear or detachment can cause fluid or blood to leak into the vitreous and produce floaters. It can occur as a result of trauma, injury, PVD, high myopia (nearsightedness), or other eye disorders. The condition can also cause flashes of light in your vision or a dark curtain over part of your field of vision.
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Floaters can also be caused by cataract surgery, eye tumors, eye infections, eye medications, or migraines.
What are the symptoms of eye floaters?
The main symptom of eye floaters is seeing small shapes or spots in your vision that move with your eyes. It depends on the cause and location in the vitreous whether they have floaters or not. They can vary in size, shape, color, and number. While some people have a few floaters that do not bother them much, others may have many floaters that interfere with their vision.
In most cases, eye floaters are not painful or harmful. However, they can sometimes be indicative of a serious eye problem that requires immediate medical attention. If you experience any of these symptoms along with eye floaters, you should contact your eye care provider immediately.
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A sudden increase in the number or size of floaters
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Flashes of light in your vision
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A loss of peripheral vision (side vision)
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A gray curtain or veil over part of your vision
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A decrease in central vision (sharpness or clarity)
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Eye pain or redness
These symptoms could indicate a retinal tear or detachment, which is a medical emergency that can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.
How are eye floaters diagnosed?
Your eye doctor will examine your medical history, your symptoms, and any eye disorders or conditions you may have to diagnose eye floaters. They will also perform a comprehensive eye exam to check your vision, eye pressure, and eye health. Their technique involves using a special instrument called an ophthalmoscope or a slit lamp to examine your vitreous and retina, as well as dilate your pupils with eye drops to see your back of the eye better.
In some cases, your eye doctor may order additional tests to rule out or confirm the cause of your eye floaters. These tests may include:
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Ultrasound. This is a painless test that uses sound waves to create images of the inside of your eye. It can help detect the presence and location of floaters, as well as any retinal tears or detachments.
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Optical coherence tomography (OCT). This is a noninvasive test that uses light waves to create detailed images of the cross-sections of your retina. It can help measure the thickness and health of your retina, as well as detect any abnormalities or damage.
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Fluorescein angiography. This is a test that involves injecting a dye into your arm and taking pictures of your eye as the dye travels through the blood vessels in your retina. It can help identify any leakage or blockage of blood flow in your retina.
How are eye floaters treated?
Eye floaters do not usually require treatment, since they are not harmful and tend to fade or become less noticeable over time. However, if they are very bothersome or interfere with your daily activities, you may consider some treatment options to reduce or eliminate them. These options include:
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In laser therapy, floaters in your vitreous are broken up or vaporized by using a laser beam. This procedure is also known as laser vitreolysis or laser floater removal. Under local anesthesia, it is performed in an office setting by an ophthalmologist. In order for laser therapy to work, several sessions are required. Laser therapy isn't widely available and has some risks, including damage to the retina, lens, or cornea, increased eye pressure, inflammation, or infection.
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This surgery involves removing the vitreous from the eye and replacing it with saline solution or gas bubbles. It is also called posterior vitrectomy or pars plana vitrectomy. A retina specialist performs this procedure under general or local anesthesia in an operating room. It is usually reserved for severe cases of eye floaters caused by vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, or infection. There are more risks associated with vitrectomy than laser therapy, such as bleeding, infection, cataract formation, glaucoma, retinal detachment, or vision loss.
The benefits and risks of laser therapy and vitrectomy should be discussed with your eye doctor before you decide to have either procedure performed. Laser therapy and vitrectomy are elective procedures that are not covered by most insurance plans.
How can you prevent eye floaters?
As eye floaters are mainly caused by aging or other factors beyond your control, there is no sure way to prevent them. The following steps can be taken to reduce your risk of developing serious eye problems that can lead to eye floaters:
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If you have any risk factors or symptoms of eye problems, you should have a comprehensive eye exam at least once every two years. Before they cause permanent damage, your eye doctor can detect and treat any conditions that may affect your vitreous or retina.
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When you are outdoors during the day, wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays to protect your eyes from sun damage and reduce your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.
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If you have diabetes, you should keep your blood sugar levels under control with diet, exercise, medication, or insulin. This can prevent diabetic retinopathy and other vision-threatening complications.
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You can lower your risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye diseases that can cause vision loss if you quit smoking.
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You should consume a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. These foods contain antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids that can support your eye health and prevent oxidative stress and inflammation.
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Engage in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Your blood circulation can be improved, your blood pressure and cholesterol levels can be lowered, and you can reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseases.
