What are floaters?

Floaters are shapes that look like small dots, flies, cobwebs or strands of hair that float across your vision.

What causes floaters?

The middle of the eye is filled with a clear, jelly-like substance, the vitreous, that helps maintain the shape of the eye. As the eye ages, the vitreous may liquefy and strands of the vitreous may swirl about as the eye moves, casting shadows on the retina and giving the perception of floaters. This is a normal ageing change and is generally benign.

Occasionally, the vitreous can separate from retina, and as it pulls on the retina, it can cause the eye to see flashes of bright light. A sudden increase (shower) of floaters and continuous flashes of light are an indicator of a serious problem such as retinal tears, which have a high risk of vision loss.

Who is likely to be affected by floaters and flashes?

Changes in the vitreous are part of the natural ageing process of the eye. Benign floaters are quite common in people over the age of 40 whose eyes are otherwise normal.

The vitreous in short-sighted people tends to undergo degeneration earlier. Therefore, myopic people often experience floaters at a younger age.

People with diabetic changes at the back of the eye, inflammation of the eye and eye injuries may see floaters unrelated to age-related vitreous degeneration. This can also happen after certain eye laser treatments or surgeries.

Are floaters and flashes serious?

Generally, individuals who notice one or two floaters need not be concerned, particularly if they have been present for many months or years.

However, in about 10% of cases, floaters are a symptom of vitreous degeneration that may cause retina tears or retinal detachments. This can threaten sight if left untreated. Therefore, it is recommended that you undergo a full eye examination if you experience floaters and/or flashes of light for the first time. This is even more important if you suffer from short-sightedness, as the risk of retinal tears and detachments is higher.

You should also consult your ophthalmologist immediately for re-assessment if there is a sudden increase in floaters, especially if accompanied with white flashes of light.

Retinal tears that are detected early may be treated with laser therapy, but if they progress to retinal detachments, surgery may be required.

If you have a known eye disease, eye injury or have undergone an eye operation previously and you develop floaters, you should see your ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

Can floaters be removed?

Treatment of floaters by lasers or surgery is technically possible but carries significant risks to sight because of possible complications such as retinal detachment and cataract. Therefore, unless the floaters are accompanied by any sight-threatening conditions, active treatments like this are not recommended.

To schedule an appointment or to know more about floaters in your eyes, please call 6777 6058. Alternatively please send us an enquiry.