Eye floaters are harmless substances that form naturally during the aging process, and generally don't require treatment. A large number of floaters in the eye or persisting floaters, however, could be a sign of an underlying condition. Eye floaters are inside the eye , not on the surface of the eyeball, so actions like blinking or rubbing the eye won't help get rid of them. Someone who wants to be rid of floaters in the eye completely may opt to undergo surgery, though that's typically reserved for people with floaters caused by a medical condition.
Eye floaters generally refer to the dark spots, threads, squiggly or curving lines, and spider-like shapes that float in and out of your vision. The description of what they look like may differ from person to person. Eye floaters are solidified clusters of cells or proteins in the gel-like liquid substance that fills the back of the eyeball, known as the vitreous.
They form as the vitreous shrinks in the process of aging. The spots you see are the shadows cast by these clumps on your retina , a thin layer of tissue that lines the back of your eyeball. You catch a glimpse of these floaters as they pass by the macula , the center of your eye's retina. Most people end up seeing eye floaters as they age—about one-quarter of adults experience vitreous shrinkage once they hit their 60s, and that number rises to two-thirds among year-olds.
While usually harmless, floaters in the eye can be uncomfortable and impact a person's ability to see and read, which could be especially troublesome for older people when driving or carrying out household tasks. Those who have diabetes , are nearsighted , or recently had cataract surgery are at higher risk of getting eye floaters.
Some researchers have also found a connection between stress and eye floaters. People with elevated psychological distress have been shown to have persistent eye floaters, and vice versa. To make sure you actually have floaters in the eye, your optometrist or ophthalmologist will perform a dilated eye exam, where they will give you eye drops that widen your pupil. This allows them to see if you have any floaters passing through the center of your eye.
Your healthcare provider will ask you for more specific details about the floaters in your eye. Some of the questions they may ask include:. Your eye care provider will also check to see if you have any retinal tears in case the floaters are caused by a more serious problem. If floaters are a problem you keep experiencing, your optometrist or ophthalmologist may recommend that you receive regular eye exams.
Eye floaters caused by a medical condition will be referred to an ophthalmologist for further evaluation and surgical treatment. Although rare, floaters in the eye can occasionally be caused by a serious condition called retinal detachment.
When the retina gets torn off or pulled away from the eye, it can cause:. Retinal detachment is a serious condition that can result in permanent vision loss if left untreated, so you should contact an ophthalmologist right away if you experience any of the above symptoms.
Your ophthalmologist will look for retinal detachment by performing a dilated eye exam , where they put drops in your eye to dilate the pupil and look for any changes in your retina.
If a diagnosis of retinal detachment is confirmed, they may perform pneumatic retinopexy, vitrectomy, or scleral buckle surgery to put the retina back into place. The most common and safest way to get rid of eye floaters is to do nothing. Floaters in the eye caused by aging are permanent, but they become less noticeable over time.
They will, however, continue to monitor the floaters with regular eye exams to keep track of how your vitreous is shrinking and to prevent any serious eye problems from developing later. How long it takes an eye floater to go away depends on the cause and severity of the floaters.
They may go away in a matter of days or weeks. Moving your eyes up and down or right to left may get them to vanish temporarily. Eye floaters are a normal part of the aging process. The American Society of Retina Specialists note that conditions such as vitreous detachment, which causes more floaters, are more common after the age of Everyone can get eye floaters at some point, though most people ignore them.
Many may only notice them when they look at a blank, bright surface or area such as the sky. Although they can be distracting at first, most eye floaters tend to settle down to the bottom of the eye, beneath the field of vision.
However, the American Society of Retina Specialists recommend that a person who notices sudden symptoms such as floaters get checkups with an ophthalmologist within the first few months after the symptoms appear, to check for any signs of more serious issues.
Although some floaters in the eye may be a normal part of the aging process, experiencing a sudden increase of floaters in the eye may be a sign of another issue, such as retinal detachment.
When retinal detachment occurs, it is not uncommon for people to experience other symptoms along with eye floaters. They may experience flashes of light that are not there, especially in the side of their fields of vision. They may also experience a loss of vision in the sides of their eyes.
Retinal detachment is serious and may lead to blindness without treatment. Anyone who notices a sudden and noticeable increase in floaters, along with other symptoms, should see an eye doctor immediately.
Anyone who notices a sudden increase in eye floaters should see an eye doctor to obtain a complete diagnosis. They may also appear as a dark or lighter area of vision. Sometimes, the area where the floater is will look slightly blurry compared with the rest of the field of vision.
Floaters are tiny but can significantly affect the vision, as they are very close to the input of the eye. One characteristic of eye floaters is that they seem to dart back and forth across the field of vision. Trying to look directly at a floater will cause it to move away in the direction the person looks. Although it may not be possible to prevent eye floaters, it is still helpful to follow some basic practices to keep the eyes healthy. These include:. Although floaters may be irritating when a person notices them, they do not pose any direct threat to the sight.
In most cases, floaters settle down to the bottom of the eye, beneath the field of vision. In these cases, a doctor may recommend a procedure called a vitrectomy. During a vitrectomy, a healthcare professional will surgically remove the vitreous gel causing the floater. If you have complications that require treatment, you'll need to see an ophthalmologist. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment. Preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time with your doctor.
For eye floaters, some basic questions to ask include:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version.
This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis Your doctor will conduct a complete eye exam including eye dilation to better see the back of your eyes and the vitreous to determine the cause of the floaters.
More Information Eye exam.
0コメント