Eye floaters are small spots or specks that drift through your field of vision, often noticeable when looking at something bright like a white paper or a blue sky.
While they can be annoying, they usually don’t interfere with your sight. In rare cases, a large floater can cast a slight shadow over your vision, but this only happens in certain lighting conditions.
A doctor has revealed what you must do if you start to see eye floaters! Keep reading to find out more…
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Types of Eye Floaters
Eye floaters move as you try to focus on them, appearing in various shapes such as:
- Black or gray dots
- Squiggly lines
- Threadlike strands
- Cobwebs
- Rings
Once present, floaters usually don’t disappear completely but may become less noticeable over time.
Causes of Eye Floaters
Most floaters are tiny flecks of collagen, a protein in the gel-like vitreous in the back of your eye. As you age, the protein fibers shrink and clump together, casting shadows on the retina. Seeing flashes could indicate the vitreous pulling away from the retina. Immediate medical attention is necessary if floaters are new, have changed dramatically, or if you see flashes.
Floaters typically appear between ages 50 and 75. Factors increasing their likelihood include nearsightedness and cataract surgery. Rarely, floaters can result from:
- Eye disease
- Eye injury
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Crystal-like deposits in the vitreous
- Eye tumors
Serious conditions associated with floaters include:
- Detached retina
- Torn retina
- Vitreous hemorrhage
- Inflamed vitreous or retina from infection or autoimmune conditions
- Eye tumors
Sudden Floaters
Sudden eye floaters might indicate a serious condition like posterior vitreous detachment. If you notice sudden or persistent floaters, see a doctor immediately.
Viewing an eclipse, or looking at the sun, without protective eyewear can cause temporary floaters due to solar retinopathy. Symptoms include eye soreness, pain, sensitivity to light, vision changes, headache, and watery eyes.
Mild solar retinopathy usually improves over time, but a proper diagnosis is essential.
Anxiety, Stress, and Floaters
Anxiety and stress don’t cause floaters directly but can make you more aware of them. Floaters might also increase feelings of anxiety or depression, but more research is needed on this connection, per WebMD.
