Eye Floaters
Eye floaters are small specks or shapes that drift across your field of vision, often most noticeable against bright backgrounds like a clear sky or white screen.They are usually caused by natural changes in the vitreous, the clear gel inside the eye. While typically harmless, a sudden increase in floaters should be assessed, as it can sometimes signal a retinal problem.
What Are Eye Floaters?
Inside the eye, the vitreous gel helps maintain the eye’s shape and allows light to pass through to the retina. Over time, this gel can gradually break down and become more liquid. As this occurs, tiny fibres or clumps may form within the vitreous.
These small particles cast shadows on the retina, which appear as floating spots, threads or cobweb-like shapes in your vision.
Floaters become more common with age but may also occur after eye injury, inflammation or certain retinal conditions.
Symptoms
Eye floaters may appear as:
- Small dark spots or specks
- Thread-like strands
- Cobweb or squiggly shapes
- Moving shadows that drift when the eyes move
Floaters often move away when you try to focus directly on them.
If floaters appear suddenly, increase rapidly, or are accompanied by flashes of light or a shadow in your peripheral vision, urgent assessment is recommended as these symptoms may indicate a retinal tear or detachment.
Next Steps
If you notice new floaters or a sudden change in your vision, a comprehensive retinal examination is important.
While most floaters are benign and do not require treatment, examination ensures that any underlying retinal conditions are identified and managed promptly.
Assessment & Diagnosis
Assessment typically involves:
- A detailed retinal examination
- Dilated pupil examination
- Imaging of the retina if required
These tests allow your ophthalmologist to evaluate the vitreous and retina and determine whether the floaters are harmless or associated with another condition.
Treatments
In many cases, floaters become less noticeable over time as the brain adapts to them.
For patients with persistent or visually disruptive floaters, laser vitreolysis may be considered. This treatment uses precise laser energy to break up the floaters, making them less visible.
Your ophthalmologist will determine whether treatment is appropriate based on the size, location and severity of the floaters.
Recovery & Aftercare
Laser treatment for floaters is performed in a clinical setting and usually involves minimal downtime.
Follow-up appointments allow your specialist to monitor the vitreous and retina and ensure that no underlying retinal changes develop.