Floaters that Don’t Go Away Could be a Sign of Something More Serious
Most everyone gets floaters that come and go. But if you notice new floaters that appear suddenly and don’t go away, it could be a sign of something more serious that needs to be addressed with your eye doctor.
What are Floaters?
Floaters are small dark shapes that float across your vision. They can appear as spots, threads, squiggly lines, and even as cobwebs. Floaters move as your eyes move. This means when you try to look at them directly, they seem to move away. When your eyes stop moving, the floaters keep drifting across your vision. You’ve probably experienced floaters when you look at something bright, such as white paper or a blue sky.
What Causes Floaters and When Should I See a Doctor?
Floaters aren’t just caused by looking at something bright for a bit. They usually happen because of normal changes in your eyes. As you age, strands of your vitreous (the gel-like fluid that fills your eyes) stick together. This casts shadows on your retina (the light-sensitive layer of your eye). Those shadows then appear as floaters in your vision.
But sometimes, floaters can have more serious causes, including:
- Eye infections or injuries
- Uveitis (inflammation of the eye)
- Bleeding in the eye
- Vitreous detachment (when it pulls away from the retina)
- Retinal tear
- Retinal detachment
When the retina gets torn or detached, symptoms include new floaters that suddenly appear (sometimes with flashes of light) and/or a dark shadow (like a curtain) or blurry area in your side or central vision. If you have these symptoms, see your eye doctor or go to the emergency room right away as this is a sight-threatening condition that requires immediate attention.
You should also see your eye doctor if you have many more eye floaters than usual or if you are experiencing darkness on one or both sides of your vision (peripheral vision loss).
Who is at Risk for Floaters?
Nearly everyone develops floaters as they get older, but some people do have a higher risk of developing them. These risks include:
- Being very nearsighted
- Are over the age of 50
- Had an eye injury
- Are experiencing eye inflammation
- Having diabetes, leading to damage of the blood vessels of the retina (diabetic retinopathy)
- Have had surgery to treat cataracts and are experiencing complications
- Get certain medications that are injected into the vitreous (which can cause air bubbles to form)
How Does My Eye Doctor Check for Floaters?
Your eye doctor will use a dilated eye exam to check for floaters. A dilated eye exam is when your eye doctor gives you some drops to dilate (widen) the pupil. This allows your doctor to get a better view inside your eyes, allowing them to check for floaters and other eye issues. This exam is usually painless, though your doctor may press on your eyelids to check for retinal tears, which can be uncomfortable for some people.
What is the Treatment for Floaters?
Treatment depends on the cause of the floaters. If your floaters are caused by aging and they don’t bother you, then you won’t need any treatment.
If they make it hard to see clearly and interfere with your daily life, your eye doctor may recommend surgery, a vitrectomy, which can remove the floaters. There is also a laser surgery that can disrupt floaters by breaking up the clumps of vitreous. Be sure to discuss both the benefits and risks of either type of surgery with your doctor.
If your floaters are caused by another eye condition, you may need treatment for that condition.
Have Floaters and Need to Schedule an Appointment?
If you are experiencing floaters that haven’t gone away and you are concerned, it’s time to get a dilated eye exam! Black Diamond Eye Care is your trusted Castle Rock area eye doctor. Our dedicated team is friendly and devoted to providing comprehensive, top-tier eye care services in a warm and relaxing atmosphere. Schedule your eye exam with us online today!
