Eye Floaters: causes and treatments

What are eye floaters?

Eye floaters are small shapes that drift through your field of vision. They may appear as black or grey specks, cobwebs, or lines that move as you shift your eyes. Known as “muscae volitantes” (Latin for “flying flies”), floaters are more noticeable when looking at a plain background, such as a clear sky or a white wall.

What causes eye floaters?

Floaters are caused by changes in the vitreous, the gel-like substance inside the eye. At birth, the vitreous is clear and fully attached to the retina. Over time, various factors can alter the vitreous, leading to floaters.

Common causes include:

• Age: The most common cause. As we age, the vitreous slowly changes from a gel to a liquid, forming clumps that cast shadows on the retina, perceived as floaters. This process, known as vitreous syneresis or degeneration, eventually leads to posterior vitreous detachment (PVD).
• Myopia (Short-Sightedness): Accelerates the liquification of the vitreous gel.
• Retinal tear or detachment: Sudden changes in floaters, especially with vision loss, may indicate serious conditions like retinal tear or detachment requiring urgent medical attention.
• Vitreous haemorrhage: Bleeding into the vitreous gel, often due to diabetes or retinal vein occlusion.
• Inflammation: Conditions like intermediate or posterior uveitis.
• Previous eye surgery: Surgeries such as cataract removal or YAG laser capsulotomy can contribute to floaters.
• Severe eye trauma: Physical injury to the eye.

Symptoms related to eye floaters

Urgent: Seek immediate medical help if you experience:

• Sudden onset of new floaters
• A significant increase in floaters
• Loss of peripheral vision (like a grey curtain)
• Flashing lights

These symptoms could indicate retinal tear or detachment, potentially leading to permanent blindness.

Non-urgent: If persistent floaters affect your vision quality, consult a retinal specialist for diagnosis and treatment options.

Should I be worried about eye floaters?

The severity of floaters depends on their cause. Age-related floaters are generally harmless, although they can be annoying. However, floaters from retinal tears or other serious conditions require prompt treatment to prevent vision loss.

Treatment options for eye floaters

• Observation: For age-related floaters that do not affect vision clarity, monitoring is often sufficient.
• YAG laser vitreolysis: This procedure uses a laser to break up floaters into smaller pieces. However, due to risks of complications, including damage to the lens and retina, it is not commonly recommended.
  
  Find out more about YAG Laser treatment here.
• Vitrectomy: A surgical procedure to remove the vitreous gel, effectively eliminating floaters. The main function of the vitreous is developmental, making its removal safe for most adults. Risks are relatively low, with less than a 1 in 1000 chance of severe infection or bleeding. However, a cataract may develop post-surgery, necessitating further treatment.
  
  For more details on vitrectomy surgery, visit our vitrectomy page.

Conclusion

Understanding the causes and treatment options for eye floaters can help you maintain good eye health. If you experience sudden changes in floaters or other alarming symptoms, seek immediate medical advice. For persistent floaters affecting your daily life, consult a specialist to explore suitable treatments.