Eye floaters are tiny spots or specks that drift in your vision, often seen when looking at something bright like a white sheet of paper or a clear blue sky.
Although they can be bothersome, they typically don’t affect your sight. In rare situations, a large floater might create a slight shadow over your view, but this usually happens only in specific lighting.
A doctor has shared what you should do if you start noticing eye floaters! Keep reading to learn more…
Types of Eye Floaters
Eye floaters shift as you try to focus on them and can appear in different shapes like:
- Black or gray dots
- Wavy lines
- Thread-like strands
- Cobwebs
- Circles
Once they show up, floaters usually don’t go away completely but may become less noticeable with time.
Causes of Eye Floaters
Most floaters are small bits of collagen, which is a protein found in the gel-like vitreous at the back of your eye. As you get older, these protein fibers shrink and clump together, creating shadows on the retina. Seeing flashes could mean the vitreous is pulling away from the retina. You need to see a doctor right away if new floaters appear suddenly or change significantly.
Floaters generally show up between ages 50 and 75. Factors that increase their chances include nearsightedness and having cataract surgery. Rarely, floaters can come from:
- Eye disease
- Injury to the eye
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Crystal-like deposits in the vitreous
- Tumors in the eye
Serious issues linked with floaters include:
- A detached retina
- A torn retina
- Vitreous bleeding
- Inflamed vitreous or retina due to infection or autoimmune problems
- Tumors within the eye
Sudden Floaters
The sudden appearance of eye floaters might signal something serious, like posterior vitreous detachment. If you notice sudden or ongoing floater changes, see an optometrist immediately.
Looking at an eclipse without protective glasses can cause temporary floaters due to solar retinopathy. Symptoms may include sore eyes, pain, sensitivity towards light, changes in vision, headaches, and watery eyes.
Mild solar retinopathy often gets better over time, but getting an accurate diagnosis is very important.
Anxiety, Stress, and Floaters
Anxiety along with stress doesn’t directly cause these annoying spots, but it can make people more aware of them! They might also heighten feelings of anxiety or sadness; however, more studies are needed on this link according to WebMD.
Natural Remedies for Eye Floaters
If your floater situation isn’t severe, treatment may not be necessary. Instead, here are some natural ways suggested by an eye care professional:
- Move those floating things: Shifting where you’re looking could help move them out of sight.
- Diet: Eating well with lots of vitamin A (found in carrots, leafy greens, liver, fish, dairy) helps keep eyes healthy.
- Supplements: Consider taking vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc supplements, but check with your doctor first.
- Eye exercises: Moving your eyes around in circles and focusing far away improves blood flow.
- No smoking: This sneaky habit affects blood flow, making floaters worse, so get help quitting!
Treatments for Severe Cases
For serious cases involving many annoying spots, medical treatments are available, including:
- Laser Treatment: The doctor might use lasers to break down floaters, although it comes with risks and not everyone will be suitable.
- Vitrectomy: If these annoyances really mess up vision, then a vitrectomy could replace the gel inside with saline solution, a bubble, oil, or gas, which will naturally replace itself over time.
Takeaways
While most eye floaters are a harmless part of the aging process, it’s crucial to consult a doctor if they change suddenly or are accompanied by flashes of light or pain. Effective treatments and natural methods exist to manage and reduce their impact on daily life.
Your experience dealing with eye floaters? Share your thoughts below!
