Eye Floaters

Introduction

Eye floaters are tiny specks, dots, circles, lines or cobwebs that can be seen in your field of vision, especially when looking at a light-coloured area (e.g. blue sky or white wall).

• They are created when tiny clumps form in the clear, jelly-like substance (vitreous humour) inside the eye. As eye floaters are suspended in this "jelly", so they move when your eyeball moves.
• Eye floaters are very common and, for many people, are a part of natural aging process.

Management

In most cases, floaters are normal and harmless, hence typically don't require treatment.

• The floaters usually resolve with time, settle down outside the visual axis, and/or become less noticeable.

However, a sudden increase in their number (particularly if they occur as flashing lights, or a new big floater) or visual deficit (e.g. vision loss) requires immediate professional attention.

External Links

• Better Health Channel - Eye Floaters
  
• AAO - What Are Floaters and Flashes
  
• Cleveland Clinic - Eye Floaters & Flashes
  
• MSD Manual Professional Version - Floaters
  
• National Eye Institute - Floaters
  
• Mayo Clinic - Eye floaters