What Causes Eye Floaters and How to Treat Them

Have you noticed a tiny dark spot or threads while looking at the sky or a white wall, that just floats over your vision? They move as you move your eye but vanish when you try to focus on them. These are known as eye floaters. Don't worry, these are common and harmless most of the time and almost everyone notices at some point in life. It generally comes with age as a jelly like substance known as vitreous that begins to liquify and contracts. So the scattered small cluster of collagen fibres from inside the vitreous can cast tiny shadows on your retina and this is how you see the shadows as eye floaters. Read further to know more about the causes of eye floaters and how to treat them.

To understand how eye floaters occur it is imperative to understand how the eye works. Lets discuss more details about the vitreous which is present between the eye lens and the retina. It helps the eye to maintain its shape. As we grow older the vitreous slowly begins to shrink and becomes more liquid. Tiny fibres inside it can clump together and cast shadows on the retina, where the light sensitive layer is present at the back of the eye. These shadows appear as floaters.
Most people begin to notice them after the age of 40. They can look like dots, sometimes like cobwebs or thread-like shapes that move when your eyes move. Generally they are harmless and become less noticeable with time as the brain learns to ignore them.
The most common reason for floaters is simply ageing which no living being can not prevent. As the eye’s internal gel changes with age floaters are more likely to appear. However there are other reasons too.

People who are nearsighted have more chances to witness floaters because their eyes are longer in shape which causes the vitreous to pull away earlier. Eye injuries or inflammation inside the eye (called uveitis) or complications from diabetes can also lead to floaters.

Floaters can happen when the vitreous pulls away from the retina this is a condition called posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). While this is common with age in rare cases it can cause a tear in the retina as well and that can be serious.

Most floaters are harmless and fade with time but one should never ignore these signals. If you suddenly notice a shower of new floaters, flashes of light or a dark curtain over part of your vision then it may mean that the retina has torn or detached. This is a medical emergency and one needs immediate attention from an eye specialist.

Doctors use a detailed eye examination then to check the retina and vitreous. Don't worry these tests are quick and painless but they can prevent serious vision problems if done on time. Even if your floaters are not very strong then also it is wise to get your eyes checked regularly, especially after the age of 40.

In most cases there is no treatment is needed just because floaters tend to fade or become less noticeable. The brain learns to adapt and many people stop seeing them after a while.

If floaters are very large or disturb vision doctors may suggest laser vitreolysis it is a non-surgical laser treatment that breaks the clumps into smaller pieces or vitrectomy, a surgery that removes the vitreous gel and replaces it with a clear solution. These treatments are rarely needed and are chosen only for severe cases.

To reduce risk of complicaitons one should protect their eyes from injuries by wearing sunglasses that will guard their eyes from UV rays. Dringking enough water and maintianing healthy blood sugar levels is imperative. And most importantly regular eye check-ups help catch any early warning signs.

If you occasionally witness floaters, its fine, becasue it is natural part of ageing but if you experience sudden unusual changes in your vision then it should never be ignored. The eyes are sensitive organs so it is not wise to ignore any early signals because that might help one to prevent bigger issues. Vision is one of the greatest gift that we enjoy and that is the reason it is our duty to pay serious attention to even small signs like floaters.