Eye floaters are specks or spots that occur in your vision. They appear to drift when you move your eyes and float away when you look directly at them. In most cases, they do not harm your vision and do not require treatment. 

Most eye floaters occur due to age-related changes that cause the jellylike vitreous to liquefy and contract. Collagen fibers form clumps within the vitreous, casting tiny shadows (floaters) on the retina. 

Symptoms of Eye Floaters

Eye floaters are usually a natural part of aging. The main symptom of the vision issue is having various sections in the field of vision appear out of place. They can manifest in multiple shapes, such as shadowy specks or dots, rings, small lines, cobweb shapes, and other irregular shapes. 
 

Floaters may also appear as lighter or darker areas of vision. The part with the floater may appear blurrier than other sections in the field of vision. They are tiny but can affect eyesight. 

How Eye Floaters Develop

Floaters are a natural consequence of aging, but some individuals develop conditions that make floaters more prevalent. Eye floaters are usually a normal occurrence resulting from the eye’s vitreous body. The vitreous gives the eye its shape, and when it begins to shrink, it causes floaters. 
 

Tiny fibers may break away, becoming stringy, a condition known as vitreous detachment. The vitreous masses can disrupt the light getting into the retina, casting a shadow that makes the floaters visible. 

When Eye Floaters Increase

Everyone will experience floaters at some point, but most people usually ignore them. They become more common as people age. They are usually visible if you look at a blank or bright surface. Initially, they can be distracting, but they tend to settle down away from the field of vision. 

Eye specialists recommend getting a checkup if you notice sudden vision changes, including floaters. An increase in floaters can signify a severe eye problem such as retinal detachment. 

Other Causes of Eye Floaters
 

Apart from the natural aging process, eye floaters have other causes. They include:
 

• Eye inflammation

• Infection

• Retina trauma or tearing

• Diabetic retinopathy

• Traumatic eye injury

• Eye tumors

• Hemorrhaging

If you experience a sudden increase in floaters, you must visit an eye specialist for diagnosis.

Treating Eye Floaters 

In most cases, floaters do not require treatment and do not pose a threat to eyesight. But if they become dense and affect your vision, you need to contact your eye doctor. At worst, surgery may be necessary to protect your eyesight. 
 

A vitrectomy involves the removal of the vitreous gel causing the floater. Doctors replace the gel with a saline solution. This procedure is only recommended for severe cases of floaters. Laser therapy can help dissolve or break up large floaters, a procedure known as laser vitreolysis. 
 

It may not be possible to prevent eye floaters, but there are things you can do to keep your eyes healthy. Eating a nutritious diet, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight will keep the eyes healthy. 
 

Other eye-health tips include wearing sunglasses outdoors, wearing protective eyewear, and resting the eyes frequently. Scheduling regular eye exams will ensure that your eyes and vision are in good condition.
 

For more on the main causes of eye floaters, visit Palo Alto Eyes Optometry at our office in Palo Alto, California. Call (650) 321-2015 to book an appointment today.