Floaters are those annoying shapes you see in your eyes that you can never seem to focus on. As soon as you try to look at them, they float away from your gaze.

They’re a pervasive experience, and most people see them at different times. But do you know what they are? Are they a sign that there is something wrong with your eye?

Keep reading to learn more about floaters and what it means if you have a lot of them.

What Are Floaters?

Floaters are clumps of cells or gel inside your vitreous. The vitreous is the jelly-like substance that fills your eye and gives it its shape.

When you’re young, the vitreous is clear, but the vitreous tends to shrink and get stringy as you age. Floaters occur when these clumps move around in the vitreous.

When you see them in your vision, they cast a shadow on your retina. They aren’t floating in front of your eyes. So what you see as small black spots, specks, or cobwebs is actually the shadow they cast rather than the clump itself.

Causes of Floaters

Aging is the most common cause of floaters. But, there are other causes. They include:

  • Infection or inflammation at the back of your eye
  • Eye injuries and bleeding in your eye
  • Being nearsighted
  • Some surgeries and medications can cause eye floaters
  • Migraines
  • Intraocular tumors
  • Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD)
  • Torn retina

Treatment of Floaters

Generally, there is no need to worry about mild floaters. Still, it’s essential to let your ophthalmologist know if you’re seeing them, especially if you’re seeing a lot of them all of a sudden.

That way, they can monitor your eyes for severe conditions that can damage your eyesight. Your eye doctor will conduct tests during an eye exam to diagnose the causes of your floaters.

If floaters have affected your vision or are due to an underlying condition, they may offer treatment. Common treatments for floaters include: 

Vitrectomy

This procedure involves removing the vitreous humor to get rid of floaters. A saline solution or oil replaces the vitreous after its removal.

The filler solution ensures your eye retains its shape. However, a vitrectomy might not eliminate all your floaters. There is potential for new ones to form after the procedure.

Laser Surgery

Your eye doctor uses a laser to break up the clumps in your vision, making them less noticeable. While some patients report improved vision, others have little to no difference after the procedure.

Your eye doctor can also recommend the following lifestyle changes to help with floaters:

  • Resting your eyes, especially if you spend a lot of time in front of the computer
  • Drinking plenty of water
  • Maintaining a healthy diet
  • Putting on protective eyewear to avoid UV light damage

When You Need to See Your Eye Doctor About Floaters

Have you noticed an increase in eye floaters or a sudden appearance of them? The rapid onset of large numbers of floaters requires urgent medical attention.

If you do not treat them quickly enough, you could have permanent vision loss.

Are you concerned that your floaters are a sign of something wrong with your eye? Schedule an appointment at Joshi Retina Institute in Boynton Beach, FL, today. Make sure your floaters aren’t a sign of something worse!