What Are Eye Floaters Here's What You Should Know - Article Health

Ever see squiggly, dark lines or spots in your field of vision? They’re called eye floaters, and they’re typically no big deal, says Roshini Rajapaksa, MD, Health’s contributing medical editor. "Floaters are common and usually nothing to worry about," she says. Still, it’s annoying to see spots, so we asked experts to give us the lowdown on eye floaters. Here, what you need to know about this common occurrence.

They're normal, and anyone can get them
Floaters are typically caused by age-related changes in the vitreous humor, the jelly-like substance that fills most of the eyeball. Vitreous is naturally clear and transparent. But when it shrinks due to age, strands in the vitreous can cast a shadow on the retina. The result: Those little black specks.

They can come and go
Dr. Cykiert tells us eye floaters may come and go depending on lighting and background, as well as the angle that light is coming from. Some people will see floaters when they’re looking at a bright background, such as a computer screen or through a window on a sunny day, he adds. Since floaters aren’t transparent like the rest of the vitreous, they become more noticeable when contrasted with light.

They can come and go
Dr. Cykiert tells us eye floaters may come and go depending on lighting and background, as well as the angle that light is coming from. Some people will see floaters when they’re looking at a bright background, such as a computer screen or through a window on a sunny day, he adds.

There's no treatment for eye floaters
Unfortunately, there's not much you can do about these little spots. "Albeit annoying, most people just live with them," says Dr. Cykiert. Surgery is available for patients with severe floaters, but the procedure, which removes the vitreous fluid from the eye and replaces it with a salt solution, has significant risks.

Know when to see a doctor
For most people, eye floaters don't require a visit to the doctor. "If you’ve had eye floaters for some time and haven’t noticed any changes in their number or size, there’s no need to schedule an appointment," says Dr. Raj.

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