Floaters in the eye
`Floaters’ are generally benign tiny gray spots in the eyes that seem to weave in and out of the line of vision. These can look like strings, circles, “O” shapes, or cobwebs. Although they rarely interfere with vision, floaters can be annoying or distracting. Floaters can appear in one or both eyes. If they're in both eyes, one eye may have more floaters than the other and their movements may be different.
Mostly, the spots are caused by changes to the vitreous, the clear gel between the lens and retina, at the back of the eye. This gel becomes more liquid as we age and microscopic fibers may start to clump together to form shreds. These clumps cast shadows and those shadows are what we're seeing. These shadows move as the eyes move.
Anyone can develop floaters but they begin appearing commonly in people around 50 years old. Risk of seeing floaters is increased by being very nearsighted, having diabetes, or having had cataract surgery. Some see floaters when they have migraine headaches.
Floaters aren’t usually a sign of anything serious, but they can be in some situations, such as:
Posterior uveitis: an inflammation in the uvea, the middle layer of the eye beneath the sclera, the white part of the eye.
Bleeding in the eye.
Floaters that appear after eye surgery or an injury to the eye.
Retinal detachment (retina is the tissue at the back of the eye that converts the images the eye sees into signals for the brain, and soon after interprets these).
If floaters are passing through the line of vision more frequently, are getting larger, have appeared all of a sudden or seem to be multiplying, consult your eye doctor as soon as possible. Also, seek medical attention if you begin to experience flashes of light, start having eye pain, or lose some of your sight as these can be signs of a serious medical condition.
Floaters mostly shrink or go away over time, but they can be replaced with new ones. Most people get used to them and only notice them occasionally. However, if floaters are interfering with your vision, an ophthalmologist surely needs to be consulted. Generally, most floaters are harmless, but always check with your eye doctor if you are concerned…advises Retina Specialist Dr. Charu Gupta.
Image source: Wikipedia
Dr Narendra Kumar
Ophthacare Eye Centre
C2C/236A Janakpuri, ND58 more
Mostly, the spots are caused by changes to the vitreous, the clear gel between the lens and retina, at the back of the eye. This gel becomes more liquid as we age and microscopic fibers may start to clump together to form shreds. These clumps cast shadows and those shadows are what we're seeing. These shadows move as the eyes move.
Anyone can develop floaters but they begin appearing commonly in people around 50 years old. Risk of seeing floaters is increased by being very nearsighted, having diabetes, or having had cataract surgery. Some see floaters when they have migraine headaches.
Floaters aren’t usually a sign of anything serious, but they can be in some situations, such as:
Posterior uveitis: an inflammation in the uvea, the middle layer of the eye beneath the sclera, the white part of the eye.
Bleeding in the eye.
Floaters that appear after eye surgery or an injury to the eye.
Retinal detachment (retina is the tissue at the back of the eye that converts the images the eye sees into signals for the brain, and soon after interprets these).
If floaters are passing through the line of vision more frequently, are getting larger, have appeared all of a sudden or seem to be multiplying, consult your eye doctor as soon as possible. Also, seek medical attention if you begin to experience flashes of light, start having eye pain, or lose some of your sight as these can be signs of a serious medical condition.
Floaters mostly shrink or go away over time, but they can be replaced with new ones. Most people get used to them and only notice them occasionally. However, if floaters are interfering with your vision, an ophthalmologist surely needs to be consulted. Generally, most floaters are harmless, but always check with your eye doctor if you are concerned…advises Retina Specialist Dr. Charu Gupta.
Image source: Wikipedia
Dr Narendra Kumar
Ophthacare Eye Centre
C2C/236A Janakpuri, ND58 more
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