FLOATERS/FLASHES
Floaters are a common source of symptoms and part of the natural aging process of the eye. They are normally described as a "swarm of gnats/bugs/spiders" or "squiggly lines" or "half-moon" or "circle." These will float around the eye with eye movement and are often more noticeable looking at a bright white background.
The back of the eye is filled with a jelly, called the vitreous. The vitreous shrinks and liquefies with age detaching from the back of the eye. This is called a posterior vitreous detachment. The inside of the back of the eye is lined by the retina which does not sense pain, rather the retina senses light resulting in flashes when the vitreous separates from the retina. Posterior vitreous detachments occur as a normal process of aging and may occur after eye surgery, trauma and those who are nearsighted. If there is a sudden change in the nature or number of floaters, especially if accompanied by flashes of light or a curtain covering any portion of the vision, you should have an immediate dilated eye examination with careful evaluation of the retinal periphery. Retinal tears and holes, the precursors of a retinal detachment, may be found and readily treated. If left untreated, retinal tears or holes may lead to a retinal detachment which may require further surgery and may result in permanent loss of vision.
Surgery or laser to remove floaters is not recommended as the risks of such a procedure outweigh the benefits. Most people will begin to notice their floaters less with time.
Floaters are a common source of symptoms and part of the natural aging process of the eye. They are normally described as a "swarm of gnats/bugs/spiders" or "squiggly lines" or "half-moon" or "circle." These will float around the eye with eye movement and are often more noticeable looking at a bright white background.
The back of the eye is filled with a jelly, called the vitreous. The vitreous shrinks and liquefies with age detaching from the back of the eye. This is called a posterior vitreous detachment. The inside of the back of the eye is lined by the retina which does not sense pain, rather the retina senses light resulting in flashes when the vitreous separates from the retina. Posterior vitreous detachments occur as a normal process of aging and may occur after eye surgery, trauma and those who are nearsighted. If there is a sudden change in the nature or number of floaters, especially if accompanied by flashes of light or a curtain covering any portion of the vision, you should have an immediate dilated eye examination with careful evaluation of the retinal periphery. Retinal tears and holes, the precursors of a retinal detachment, may be found and readily treated. If left untreated, retinal tears or holes may lead to a retinal detachment which may require further surgery and may result in permanent loss of vision.
Surgery or laser to remove floaters is not recommended as the risks of such a procedure outweigh the benefits. Most people will begin to notice their floaters less with time.