Eye Floaters? What You Need to Know
Have you experienced seeing squiggly lines or specks in your field of vision despite them not being present? These spots are eye floaters drifting in your sight but don’t necessarily interfere with it. Read on to understand what they are and if they pose any problem or require treatment.
Defining Eye Floaters
Eye floaters are like a stain in your vision. They can be quite bothersome, as they appear when staring at bright surfaces. So, when you’re someone with floaters and look at the sky, squiggly lines may appear in your sight.Â
Each person can have different experiences with eye floaters. What they look like varies with others appearing as dots, lines, blobs, thread-like strands, rings, or cobwebs. Occasionally, some experience large floaters that cast black spots in their vision. You may also have them in one eye or both.
The floaters disappear as you move your eyes or look straight at them. Thus, they don’t normally interfere with daily activities unless it comes to a point when seeing becomes difficult. In such situations, removing the floaters is an option to restore sight.
Getting to the Root of Eye Floaters
Age plays a role in getting these floaters. At the back of your eye, there’s this gel-like substance called vitreous made up of protein fibers. These protein fibers shrink and clump together, casting a shadow — the floaters.
The changes that happen usually occur between the ages of 50 and 75. Plus, if you’re nearsighted or had cataract surgery, your risk increases. Other reasons you can get floaters, although rare, are the following:
- Eye diseases, injuries, or tumors
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Crystal-like deposits form in the vitreous
Is There Treatment for Floaters?
Eye floaters don’t usually require treatment, especially when benign. But when they get annoying, you can look up and down to shift the fluid in your eyes around. The floaters will move with the fluid, helping them disappear. Â
However, they can impair vision when an underlying condition worsens. Your doctor may suggest treatment through surgery called vitrectomy. This procedure removes your vitreous and replaces it with a sterile salt solution, which helps maintain your eye’s natural shape.Â
Although the procedure may not remove all floaters and prevent new ones from forming, it brings back comfort.Â
Can You Prevent Eye Floaters From Forming?
Most eye floaters happen due to the natural aging process. You can’t avoid them completely, but there are ways to ensure they won’t cause a larger problem or to reduce the risks of getting them.
The moment you see floaters or changes in your vision, consult your ophthalmologist right away. They can check if they are not symptoms of a more serious condition that poses a greater problem later. Of course, eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and nutrients supports eye health. Another is wearing protective eyewear during activities and staying physically active.
But the bottom line is no matter what age, caring for your eyes should be part of your priority list. Thus, visiting a trusted optical shop that helps love your eyes provides the assurance your vision needs are cared for.Â
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