Floaters

What are floaters?
Floaters retain this name due to the fact that many people notice dark dots, lines or particles in their vision that move around as though floating in the eye. Floaters cast shadows on the retina, the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. The retina then sends visual signals to the brain, resulting in an image.

Floaters come and go with eye movements, such as blinking. They follow eye movements, but lag behind and float to a halt a few seconds after the eyes stop moving. These images are most obviously appear when looking at a bright, uniform field of vision, such as a white wall or a clear sky. People may experience one or several floaters in one eye or both. Floaters are not the same as the spots you see after looking at intense light such as from a flashbulb.

© University of Illinois Board of Trustees
Usage without written permission is prohibited.

Who gets floaters?
Most people see floaters some time during their lives. Many individuals in their teens and 20s notice some floaters, and people who are nearsighted may have floaters at a younger age. Floaters become more frequent as a person ages.

What causes floaters?
The majority of floaters are due to normal degenerative changes in the vitreous, the jelly-like floaters because of a retinal tear without a detachment, the tear usually can be treated with minor surgical procedures that can effectively prevent a retinal detachment.

Patients whose floaters are due to bleeding from the abnormal growth of blood vessels can suffer one or more hemorrhages inside the eye that may severely affect vision. Furthermore, abnormal blood vessel growth often leads to scar tissue that tends to shrink. This shrinkage can cause wrinkling, dragging, distortion, detachment and/or tearing of the retina. Minor surgical procedures usually can prevent these problems if diagnosed early. If these problems become advanced, major eye surgery may be needed to prevent blindness. However, as with retinal tears, surgery often is unable to completely reverse the damage caused by scar tissue.

There are no medications available that are effective in treating most floaters. Patients with floaters due to inflammatory eye diseases may be helped by medicines to treat the inflammation; however, the floaters may remain after the treatment. Although floaters can be bothersome, most people learn to ignore them.

Are flashes of light related to floaters?
Many patients suffer from both floaters and light flashes. Light flashes refer to the false sensation that light is flashing into the eye. Light flashes are bright and of very short duration. They usually are shaped like a line or an arc and may appear to shoot in a certain direction. Light flashes seem to occur in the side of the field of vision and can be seen even when the eyes are closed. Some of the same conditions that cause floaters also cause light flashes. These include the vitreous tugging on the retina or buildup of scar tissue in the eye.

What should I do if I have floaters?
Those who have had floaters a long time without much change recently should have an eye examination when convenient. However, certain symptoms are cause for immediate concern. Someone who has developed floaters for the first time or is certain their floaters have become worse or more numerous may have a new, potentially serious problem. A person who suddenly notices a large number of floaters, often like a shower of them, may have bleeding in the eye.

Other people may notice new floaters along with a cloudy area in the side field of vision in one eye. Often people describe this as a ‘curtain’ closing on part of their vision. This may indicate that a retinal detachment is developing from a retinal tear. People with any of these symptoms should see an ophthalmologist right away. The evaluation of floaters should include examination of the retina and vitreous through dilated pupils, usually with gentle pressure to the eye to bring into view areas that are difficult to see. Early diagnosis and treatment may prevent serious problems and may improve the chance for preserving vision.

"Eye Facts" is intended as an informational series and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice.

The Vitreoretinal Service is located in the Eye and Ear Infirmary at 1855 W. Taylor Street, Chicago IL 60612. For eye appointments, call 312-996-6660.

Please note that all illustrations and images within the Eye Facts collection are copyright protected and are the property of the UIC Board of Trustees. Unauthorized use of the images is prohibited.

For usage of any Eye Facts content or illustrations please contact the Office of Medical Illustration at eyeweb@uic.edu or 312-996-5309 for licensing