Basics of Floaters

Floaters are seen as a small black or gray spot in the vision because the floater is actually in the vitreous which is a jelly like substance that fills the eye. Typically, the vitreous is completely clear and does not affect the vision at all.

However, when the vitreous clumps together, it is no longer completely clear and can create a floater. Since the floater is in the jelly like vitreous, it can move as the eye moves. Usually, a floater will tend to follow the eye movement and also tend to fall towards the bottom of the eye due to gravity.

Why Do Floaters Form?

A common and important question is why a floater would form. As we age, it is expected that the vitreous begins to solidify in some areas and will create the clumps that become floaters.

If the floater is in a younger person, it may be due to the eye being longer than normal and causing the vitreous to condense and clump.

Another common source of floaters is a posterior vitreous detachment or PVD. A posterior vitreous detachment occurs when the vitreous pulls away from its attachment at the optic nerve.

With a PVD, the floater is often round and can be very large.

When Are Floaters Concerning?

Floaters are concerning in a few circumstances: if there are several new floaters all at once, if there are flashes of light associated with the floaters, or if the floaters occur after an injury or trauma to the head or eyes.

If dozens of new floaters appear together, it can be a sign of a much more concerning findings such as a retinal detachment.

Similarly, if there are flashes of light associated with the floaters, it can indicate that there has been a retinal tear or a retinal hole. The tearing or shearing force on the retina can cause a flash of light that appears like a lightning bolt in the vision.

When floaters occur after an injury or trauma, they are more concerning than if the floaters arise without a direct cause.

Floaters after an injury can contain blood from a hemorrhage inside the eye or can be associated with damage to the retina or other parts of the eye.

What to Do for Floaters

If you have a longstanding floater or floaters, it is usually acceptable to have your eyes examined once a year at an annual eye examination to make sure that everything is healthy and stable.

If you have any new floaters, it is important to have your examined to make sure that any new floaters are not an early sign of other eye conditions.

If you have floaters that are associated with any concerning items such as flashes, trauma, or a veil or curtain over your vision you should seek emergency eye care.

Our eye doctor at Local Eyes Optometry in New Braunfels, TX excels in prescription of glasses, contact lenses and the diagnosis of a variety of eye diseases. Call our optometrist at (830) 627-9272 or schedule an eye exam appointment online if you would are experiencing or would like to learn more about eye floaters. Our eye doctor, Dr. Marcus Page, provides the highest quality optometry services and eye exams in New Braunfels, Texas.