Posted by: Aker Kasten Eye Center in Eye Floaters on January 15, 2019
Do you have small spots that float across your vision? If you stare at a light or bright blue sky, these floaters may become a little more obvious. They are generally a nuisance but they should not be so annoying that they impede your ability to see well. Sometimes, a particularly large floater can create a shadow over your vision. This does not happen too often and if it does, only with certain lighting. Let’s review the symptoms of eye floaters to see if you have one and how to deal with them.
The signs of eye floaters
Eye floaters drift and float around the eye and can be present in a variety of sizes and shapes. Floaters can appear to look like rings, cobwebs, threadlike strands, squiggly lines, or gray or black dots. If you get an eye floater, they typically stick around but you will come to notice them less as time goes on.
The causes of eye floaters
Floaters are typically made up of a protein called collagen. They are part of the vitreous, a gel substance at the back side of your eye. With age, these strands of vitreous become clumps of little shreds that can cast a shadow over your retina. If you notice a flash, you need to visit your eye doctor immediately. This is often due to the vitreous pulling apart from the retina.
Eye floaters can be the result of eye disease, eye injury, diabetic retinopathy, eye tumors, or crystal like deposits that form in the vitreous. Sometimes, eye floaters are the result of a torn or detached retina, bleeding in the vitreous, or an inflamed retina due to an infection or autoimmune condition.
You need to visit your eye doctor if…
Eye floaters in general are harmless. But if you notice an abrupt uptick in floaters, you should schedule to see your eye doctor immediately. Flashes of light, a loss of side vision, or floaters after eye surgery or eye trauma are all reasons to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor.
Arrange your appointment
At Aker Kasten Eye Center, your eye health is our priority. We look forward to addressing your concerns and helping you develop a solution to long term eye wellness. Call our office today at (561) 338-7722.