Articles
What are Eye Floaters?
December 7, 2022
As your eyes move, you may notice spots or shadows in your field of vision. They’re small and most noticeable when staring at a bright background, such as a white sheet of paper. Getting a closer look at them can be challenging, as they will dart away as you try to look at them directly. They can appear in different shapes, such as tiny dots, thin lines, and may also resemble cobwebs.
Usually caused by ageing, or severe myopia, collagen in your vitreous begins breaking apart and clumping together. These will then cast shadows on your retina, and you’ll see them as floaters, as they block light from entering the eyeball. A clearer picture can be provided through the diagram at the top of the page.
What causes eye floaters?
Floaters can have a variety of causes, while some may not be a cause for concern, others are a sign that medical attention is needed.
Ageing
As we age, the vitreous gel will liquefy and weaken, and the collagen fibers that form its connective tissue will break off into small pieces. They may also clump together and become the lumps or strings you can see in your field of vision.
Eye surgeries or eye medication
If you’ve had medication injected into your vitreous, it may cause air bubbles to form, and until your eye absorbs them, they can be seen as floaters. Silicon air bubbles that are added during surgery may also be seen as floaters.
Tears in the retina
As the vitreous gel contracts and turns to liquid, it will begin to pull on the retina, sometimes the force of it is enough to lead to the retina being torn. If left untreated, it can lead to retinal detachment and subsequent blindness.
Diabetic retinopathy
With those Type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk, this condition causes floaters, blurry vision, and dark areas in your field of vision. It causes blood vessel damage in the retina and if left untreated can progress to diabetic macular edema.
Inflammation at the back of the eye
Also known as posterior uveitis, it is when the uvea (the middle layer of tissue in your eye wall) becomes inflamed. This affects the retina or choroid and causes floaters in the vitreous. The causes of this condition can include autoimmune disorders and infection, but the cause can sometimes be unknown.
Bleeding in the eye
If your vitreous is bleeding, it can boil down to numerous causes, such as diabetes, hypertension, retinal tears and detachments, and so on. This condition will also cause floaters.
When should you seek medical attention?
While floaters are common and usually harmless, you want to book an appointment with your optometrist to ensure there’s nothing else that needs attention.
However, there are a few warning signs you may want to take note of:
- A lot of new floaters appearing
- You see flashes of light
- You experience sudden blurry vision or vision loss
- Your eye(s) begins to hurt
These signs, when accompanied by floaters, usually indicate that a serious condition has developed, and if left unattended could lead to complications. If you notice any of these warning signs, booking a comprehensive eye screening in Singapore at Philip D. Izaac allows our optometrist to assess your eye health and identify any underlying conditions early.
What are the treatments available?
Eye floaters are often harmless and may not require treatment. However, if they are accompanied by warning signs such as flashes of light or sudden vision loss, a thorough eye assessment is strongly recommended.
At Philip D. Izaac, we use wide field retinal imaging to examine the retina in detail and determine whether your floaters are linked to a more serious underlying condition. Where surgical intervention is required, we will refer you to a specialist ophthalmologist who can advise on appropriate treatment options such as:
Vitrectomy (Removal of the vitreous through surgery) A procedure performed by a retinal ophthalmologist which involves removing the vitreous through a small incision and replacing it with a solution to help your eye stay in shape.
Vitreolysis (Disrupting floaters through a laser) A special laser is aimed at the floaters to break them up. Results may vary from person to person.
Have further questions? Contact us or book an appointment for a session to have your eyes assessed.
About the Author
Dip. Optom. | B.Sc. Optom. (USA) | M.Sc. in Clinical Optom. (USA) | MOH Reg. No. E0801695J
Philip David Izaac is a fully registered optometrist who has been in vision care since 1988. He holds a Master of Science in Clinical Optometry from Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Salus University, USA, and practises at Paragon Medical Centre, Orchard Road, Singapore. Registered with the MOH Optometrists & Opticians Board (Reg. No. EO801695J) since 17 March 2008.
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