What Are Eye Floaters?
Eye floaters are small shapes or specks that appear to drift across your field of vision. According to the Mayo Clinic, they often resemble black or gray dots, strings, or cobwebs. Floaters move when your eyes move and can seem to dart away when you try to focus on them directly. They are very common and usually harmless, affecting about 70% of people at some point in their lives.
What Causes Them?
Floaters are typically caused by natural aging changes in the vitreous—the clear, gel-like substance inside the eye. As we age, this gel begins to liquefy, and tiny fibers within it clump together. WebMD’s Rick Ansorge explains that these clumps cast shadows on the retina, which is what causes the floaters you see.
When to Seek Help
While floaters are usually harmless, the NHS advises seeking medical attention if you notice a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, blurred vision, or eye pain. These could be signs of more serious conditions like retinal detachment, which require urgent care.
Managing Floaters
Most floaters fade over time and become less noticeable. If they’re bothersome, moving your eyes—such as looking up and down—can shift the vitreous and help clear your vision. Supporting your overall eye health with a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and Vitamin A can also be beneficial.
Understanding floaters helps distinguish between normal age-related changes and symptoms that need medical attention, ensuring you protect your vision long-term.
