Definition of Floaters
What are floaters?
Floaters are dark "specks" or flashes in the field of vision. They are small, black, shadowy shapes that resemble spots or irregular lines. They move when the eye moves and seem to disappear when you try to focus on them. They do not follow the direction of gaze and tend to vanish when the eye is still.
Most people who have floaters have learned to ignore them. They are usually only noticeable if they are numerous or prominent. You may notice them when looking at something bright, such as white paper or the blue sky.
Frequently Asked Questions about Floaters
Floaters and Retinal Detachment
Sometimes a part of the vitreous humor suddenly pulls the thin fibers from the retina, causing the sudden appearance of floaters. This is called retinal detachment, which is usually not dangerous for vision and does not require treatment.
However, a sudden increase in floaters, possibly accompanied by small flashes or a decrease in peripheral vision, may indicate retinal detachment. This detachment occurs when any part of the retina is lifted or pulled from its normal position at the back of the eye.
Retinal detachment is a very serious condition and should be considered an emergency. If immediate treatment is not provided, it can lead to permanent vision loss or even blindness.
If you notice a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, or difficulty with your peripheral vision, you should visit your eye doctor immediately for an examination of your eyes
Causes and Risk Factors
What causes floaters?
Floaters are caused when the vitreous humor, a gel that occupies about 80% of the eye and helps the eyeball maintain its circular shape, undergoes slight condensation. As it condenses, the vitreous humor becomes fibrous, causing its strands to cast shadows on the retina, resulting in floaters.
In most cases, floaters are a part of the aging process. Initially, they can disrupt your focus, but later, they "settle" at the bottom of the eye and cause only minor annoyance. Typically, they "settle" (due to gravity) below the line of sight and do not completely disappear.
Who is more likely to experience them?
Floaters are more common as we age and are also seen in individuals with myopia (nearsightedness), diabetes, or those who have undergone cataract surgery.
Treatment
How are they treated?
As previously mentioned, treatment is usually not recommended.
In rare cases where floaters are so abundant that they significantly affect vision, a procedure called vitrectomy may be necessary. Vitrectomy is a surgical intervention that removes the vitreous humor.
During vitrectomy, the gel, along with the floaters within it, is removed from the eye, and a saline solution is used to replace it. This change does not bother the patient since the vitreous humor is mostly composed of water.
The surgery can carry risks to vision due to potential complications such as retinal detachment, vitreous detachment, and cataracts. Most surgeons advise against the procedure except in cases where floaters significantly impair vision.
Detachment of the vitreous
What is it?
The largest part of the eye (80%) is filled with vitreous humor (a gel that gives the eyeball its spherical shape). Millions of thin fibers are intertwined within the vitreous humor, connected to the surface of the vitreous humor, the tissue responsible for vision. As we age, the vitreous humor condenses, and these fibers "pull" on the surface of the vitreous humor. Usually, the fibers break, allowing the liquid to escape from the vitreous humor. This is called vitreous detachment.
In most cases, it has no consequences on vision and does not require treatment.
Symptoms and detection
What are the symptoms of vitreous detachment?
As it condenses, the vitreous humor becomes fibrous, and its strands cast shadows on the vitreous humor's surface, causing floaters or so-called "bugs." When you focus your gaze on them, they disappear.
One symptom is a small but sudden increase in the number of floaters. This increase may be accompanied by flashes of light in peripheral vision. In most cases, you will not notice the detachment itself but may be bothered by the increase in floaters.
Detection
The only way to detect it is through an ophthalmological examination. If detachment has led to a retinal tear or detachment of the retina, immediate treatment in the early stages can help prevent vision loss.
Treatment
How does vitreous detachment affect vision?
Although this detachment does not threaten vision, occasionally the fibers of the vitreous humor can pull the retina so strongly that it either causes a retinal tear or leads to retinal detachment. Both of these conditions can cause vision loss and should be treated promptly.
Why do I see flashes of light and floaters in my vision?
Floaters are black "specks" or flashes of light in the field of vision. They are small, black, shadowy shapes that resemble spots, flashes, or helical lines and appear when the gel-like substance inside the eye, the vitreous humor, changes with aging.
Floaters are more common in individuals over the age of 60, although they can appear at a younger age in people with myopia. There are also other types of floaters that are typically caused by specific medical conditions. For example, floaters in a diabetic patient may result from bleeding in the eye. The occasional appearance of floaters that disappear after a few seconds is not a cause for concern.
However, the sudden onset of continuous floaters, sometimes accompanied by flashes of light, may indicate something serious. These symptoms are indicative that the vitreous humor is pulling on the retina, which can lead to tearing or detachment. Both conditions are serious and should be promptly examined by your eye doctor. If a retinal tear is present, the doctor can easily treat it in the office using a laser, but if there is a detachment, surgical intervention is likely needed to save your vision. Immediate treatment is crucial for both cases, and if the tear or detachment of the retina is addressed in a timely manner, you are more likely to preserve your vision.
