1. Eye Care Glossary
  2. What are Eye Floaters?

Eye Floaters

Eye floaters are extremely common—in fact, 76% of people report experiencing floaters in their eyes, and 33% say the floaters have impaired their vision. Read on to learn what causes eye floaters, what they are and how to get rid of them.

What Are Eye Floaters?

Just as the name suggests, eye floaters are dark spots that travel (or float) across your field of vision. The exact shape varies but may include:

  • Threads
  • Squiggly lines
  • Spots
  • Cobwebs

Floaters in the eyes generally look black or gray, and they may appear to skitter away if you try to focus on them.

Causes

Although there are other possibilities, normal aging is usually what causes eye floaters. Aging leads to changes in the consistency of the vitreous, a substance between the lens and retina that helps your eye maintain its shape. Collagen fibers in that space often lose some of their jelly-like qualities, forming clumps and strings. Those new formations cast shadows across your eyes that you perceive as eye floaters.

Other causes may include:

  • Uveitis, a type of eye inflammation
  • Eye injuries, including bleeding
  • Retinal tears
  • Infections
  • Retinal or vitreous detachment

Symptoms

In some cases, eye floaters may get numerous or large enough to impair your vision. Otherwise, you will generally see some small spots or shapes in your vision that move along with your eyes. You may see floaters more when you look at something bright.

Floaters usually develop gradually and increase with age. If you suddenly notice a lot of new floaters, it could be a symptom of a condition like retinal detachment, and you should get it checked out by an eye doctor.

Diagnosis

Unless you’ve gotten used to them, you probably know whether you have eye floaters. However, an eye doctor can confirm the diagnosis with an eye exam.

Your optometrist will dilate your eyes so they can see your floaters and make sure your retina is undamaged. Even if it’s simply a normal matter of aging, regular eye exams enable your eye doctor to monitor your vitreous and make sure there’s no issues.

Treatment Options

The cause and the severity determine how to get rid of your eye floaters. If one of the eye conditions listed above is to blame, the floaters may go away when the condition is treated. If you’re simply seeing the occasional floater because you’re getting older, treatment may not be necessary or advisable. With time, most people get used to their floaters and stop noticing them as much.

If your eye floaters are impairing your vision and hurting your quality of life, your optometrist may recommend a surgery called vitrectomy.

Annual eye exams are the best way to keep apprised of your vision health and eye care needs, including your options when it comes to floaters. Schedule an eye exam with your local Visionworks today.

Frequently Asked Questions

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