What Are They?
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Floaters are specks or clouds moving in the field of vision.
This usually happened when we are looking at a plain background or wall or even
the sky. They are actually clumps of cells floating inside the fluid that fill
our eyes. When the floaters cast a shadow on the retina, the nerve layer at the
back of the eye that senses light and allows us to see the floaters which exist
in different shape. |
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| Causes
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When people reach middle age, the vitreous gel may start to
thicken or shrink, forming clumps or strands inside the eye. The vitreous gel
pulls away from the back wall of the eye, causing a posterior vitreous detachment.
It is a common cause of floaters. Posterior vitreous detachment is more common
for people who:
- Are nearsighted;
- Have undergone cataract operations;
- Have had YAG laser surgery of the eye;
- Have had inflammation inside the eye.
The appearance of floaters may be alarming, especially if they
develop suddenly. You should see an ophthalmologist (a medical eye physician) right
away if you suddenly develop new floaters, especially if you are over 45 years of age. |
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| Are They Serious?
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The retina can tear if the shrinking vitreous gel pulls
away from the wall of the eye, causing a small amount of blooding in the eye
which may appear as new floaters. However, a tore retina can be a serious problem
since it can lead to retina detachment. One should consult an ophthalmologist if:
- A new floater appears suddenly
- One sees sudden
flashes of light
If other symptoms like loss of vision, one should return to his
ophthalmologist. |
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| What To Do With Floaters?
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Floaters could be annoying as it gets in way of clear vision.
To get rid of them, one can try to move the eye up and down to move the floaters
out of the way. Some of them might remain but most will fade away with time. If
you had floaters for year, you should have an examination immediately. |
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