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…
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.
Natural Remedies for Eye Floaters
If floaters are mild, you might not need treatment and may learn to live with them. Here are some natural methods to manage floaters, according to an eye doctor:
- Move the floaters: Shifting your gaze can move the floaters out of your field of vision.
- Diet: A well-balanced diet rich in vitamin A (found in carrots, leafy greens, liver, fish, and dairy products) supports eye health.
- Supplements: Consider vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc supplements, but consult your doctor first.
- Eye exercises: Improve blood circulation in your eyes by moving them in circles or focusing on distant objects.
- Quit smoking: Smoking affects blood circulation, potentially worsening floaters. Seek help to quit.
- Manage eye strain: Reduce screen time and take breaks to prevent eye strain.
- Filter bright lights: Use sunglasses outdoors and opt for low indoor lighting to reduce floater visibility.
Medical Treatments
For severe floaters, medical treatments include:
Laser Treatment
An eye doctor might use a laser to break up floaters, though this carries risks and may not be suitable for everyone.
Vitrectomy
In cases where floaters severely affect vision, a vitrectomy might be performed. This involves replacing the vitreous with a saline solution or a bubble of oil or gas, which the eye naturally replaces over time.
Takeaways
While eye floaters are mostly harmless and part of the aging process, it’s important to consult a doctor if they change suddenly or are accompanied by flashes of light or eye pain.
Effective treatments and natural methods can help manage and reduce the impact of floaters on daily life.
Do you have experience with eye floaters? Let us know your thoughts!